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Why Go Into Research ? Why Go Into Research ? The funding process & The funding process &

sources of funding. sources of funding. How to apply for funding ? How to apply for funding ?

How to manage How to manage a funded project ?a funded project ?

Dr. Marek RebowDr. Marek Rebow

innovation

research

skills

education

enterprise

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School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering

School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering

School of Civil and Building Services

Engineering

School of Civil and Building Services

Engineering

School of Mechanical and

Transport Engineering

School of Mechanical and

Transport Engineering

School of Electronic and

Communications Engineering

School of Electronic and

Communications Engineering

School of Electrical

Engineering Systems

School of Electrical

Engineering Systems

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

Faculty of Faculty of Engineering Engineering

Research in a Research in a Nutshell Nutshell

Faculty of Engineering

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Faculty of Engineering Research in a NutshellFaculty of Engineering Research in a Nutshell

CONTRACT RESEARCHERS as on 1CONTRACT RESEARCHERS as on 1stst NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2008 2008

SFI STOKES Professor: 1

SFI STOKES Lecturer: 2

Research Assistants: 1

Postdoctoral Fellows: 10

Research Associates/Managers: 8

TOTAL: 22

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCHERS as on 1POSTGRADUATE RESEARCHERS as on 1stst NOVEMBER 2008 NOVEMBER 2008

SchoolCivil & Build. Services

Manufac & Design

Mech & Trans.

Electrical Eng. Sys.

Electronic & Comm.

Whole Time

7 5 7 12 15

Part Time 8 1 2 8 7

Over Run 1 5 5 6 11

Submitted 0 0 2 2 3

Temp withdrawn

0 0 0 2 3

16 11 16 30 39

TOTAL:112 (25 faculty)

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RESEARCH INCOME:RESEARCH INCOME:Research income in 2007: Research income in 2007: €3,500,000Research income by October 2008: €1,800,000Value of research proposals under evaluations: €8,083,000Value of research proposals not approved in 2008: €3,317,000

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SUPERVISORS POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SUPERVISORS as on 1as on 1stst NOVEMBER 2008 NOVEMBER 2008

School of Electrical Engineering Systems: 16

School of Electronic and Communications Eng.: 10

School of Manufacturing and Design Eng.: 6

School of Mechanical and Transport Eng.: 4

School of Civil and Building Services Eng.: 9

Internal supervisors from the Faculty & DIT: 7

TOTAL: 52

Faculty of Engineering Research in a NutshellFaculty of Engineering Research in a Nutshell

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The recently established DIT’s Graduate Research School (GRS) is the new 'virtual' entity designed to support and develop graduate research education across the organisation and to define the DIT community of research students and research student supervisors. The GRS enables the provision of generic skills training to all researchers to meet the challenge of interdisciplinary research, in addition to providing transferable skills modules which help PhD students to develop the skills required to effectively manage their PhD research project and improve their future career prospects. The following R&D training blocks are available: research environment, research techniques / methodology, personal effectiveness, research management, specific skills, communication, team work, career management, induction/personal development plan.

DIT’s Graduate Research School

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As part of the new research student’s induction programme, students will be asked to complete a Skills Needs Analysis Report. The aim of this report is to assist students in identifying the key skills that they already have and those they will need acquire to effectively manage their research project. The information provided in this skills analysis exercise will be used by the student and supervisor to establish the student’s personal development plan.

Under the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), Cycle 2 DIT has been awarded significant funding to establish the ‘Dublin Regional Higher Education Alliance (DRHEA)’, including Graduate Education programme training and sharing of modules among IoTs and Universities.

DIT’s Graduate Research SchoolDIT’s Graduate Research School

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DIT International DIT International Collaborative ResearchCollaborative Research

25 Countries in the EU

China

India

USA

South America

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Audio Research Group (Centre of Excellence)

Research Groups/Centres/Institutes Research Groups/Centres/Institutes within the Faculty of Engineeringwithin the Faculty of Engineering

Antennas & High Frequency Research Group

Applied Optoelectronics Centre

Communications Network Research Institute (CNRI)

Dublin Energy Lab

Electrical Power Research Group

Centre for Elastomeric Research

National Institute for Transport Logistic

Biomedical Engineering, Assistive Technology and Health Informatics

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Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Assistive Technology and Assistive Technology and Health InformaticsHealth Informatics

The Biomedical Engineering, Assistive Technology and Health Informatics research group “TeaPOT”, consolidates its members' ongoing research into technology that interacts with humans and the human body - People Orientated Technology (POT). The group's activities include research and teaching in biomedical signal processing, human-computer interfaces, assistive technology, rehabilitation engineering and health informatics. TeaPOT (http://teapot.dit.ie) is involved in collaborations with Enable Ireland, the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH), St. James' Hospital, the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) and Age Action Ireland. The Group consists of 6 faculty, 1 postdoctoral fellow, 3 PhD researchers and collaborates closely with biomedical engineering group in Bolton St which encompasses 8 faculty and 6 PhD researchers.

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The Audio Engineering and Speech Processing research group has had a number of significant achievements in sound source separation, time scale modification, and automatic music transcription. They are lead partner to a European Commission FP6 funded project EASAIER and an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation project IMAAS. Sound source separation, a novel method for extraction of an instrument from a recorded ensemble (ADRess: Azimuth Discrimination and Resynthesis, by Dan Barry) has resulted in a successful patent and subsequent licensing agreement with a leading audio research company (http://www.audioresearchgroup.com/)The Group compromises: 1 PI, 1 senior researcher, 2 faculty, 1 postdoc, 7 PhD/MPhil researchers

Audio Research Audio Research Group (Group (Centre of Centre of Excellence)Excellence)

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Photonics Research GroupThe Photonics Research Group is within the Applied Optoelectronics

Centre. The Group is undertaking research in a number of areas of photonics and optical fiber communications. The Centre was founded in 1996 by Dr. Farrell, who is the Centre Director. The Centre is located in the School of Electronic and Communications Engineering in the Dublin Institute of Technology on the Kevin St. Campus. The group consists of 6 Ph.D. graduate students, 2 post-docs and2 members of the academic staff, under the leadership of the Principle Investigator, Dr. Gerald Farrell.

Researchers of this group have invented a single-loop, single-mode fibre sensor that is one tenth the cost of a FBG sensor. To analyse the sensor data, a simple Ratiometric Power Measurement (RPM) technique is used which costs significantly less than traditional tunable laser based or interferometric interrogation techniques.

Inexpensive Disposable Fibre Temperature Sensor

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The CNRI has origins in the School of Electronic and Communications Engineering and is headed-up by  Dr. Mark Davis. The research staff complement currently stands at 3 Postdoctoral Fellows, 1 Research Assistant, 3 PhD and 3 MPhil full-time candidates.

Communications Communications Network Research Network Research Institute (CNRI)Institute (CNRI)

The CNRI is funded under a SFI  Multi-Investigator Award and under an Enterprise Ireland Informatics Initiative project.

The CNRI is undertaking research in the area of wireless networks and specifically the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless LAN standards.

The main focus of the work is in radio resource management for quality of service (QoS) provisioning. QoS provisioning is a critical element in the delivery of real-time services such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and video streaming over wireless networks

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Antenna & High Frequency Research Group specialises in the analysis, design and measurement of RF and microwave devices for wireless communications and medical applications.

Current research themes include Multiband & Wideband Antennas for Portable Communications, Base-Stations Antennas, Hyperthermia Antennas and Antennas for Sensor Networks. Equipped with a comprehensive range of analysis methods, manufacturing equipment and a measurement laboratory, the team can rapidly expedite ideas to qualified prototypes.

This multi-national group of researcher is directed by Dr Max Ammann in the School of Electronic & Communications Engineering and comprises personnel who range from MSc studentships to post-doctoral levels.

Antennas & High Frequency Antennas & High Frequency Research GroupResearch Group

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The Dublin energy lab (DEL) is a leader in science and engineering energy research in Ireland with an associated staff of 24 academics, 4 full time researchers, 18 full and part time PhD researchers and MPhil researchers. DEL conducts research across a range of disciplines with key efforts organised into themes of

o electrical power

o energy policy

o low carbon buildings

o solar energy o sustainable energy technologies

Dublin Energy LabDublin Energy Lab

Electrical Power Research Group

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The Electrical Power Research Group aims to develop a world class energy interface facility to advance leading research in power quality conditioning and in integration of wind and solar energy to the network. The group comprises two principal researchers, four academics and four PhD research students (www.eleceng.dit.ie/eprg/).They collaborate with the Power Quality Laboratory at Texas AM University and have established an international research consortium in fuel cell engineering. The fuel cell team has entered into partnership with colleagues from other centres at DIT and is partner to a Leonardo Da Vinci project in fuel cell engineering (www.fuelcellknowhow.com).

Electrical Power Research Group

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Centre for Elastomeric Research

The Centre for Elastomeric Research led by Dr Stephan Jerrams offers FEM modelling and equi-biaxial dynamic testing of hyperelastic and viscoelastic materials (fatigue, swelling, stress softening and relaxation), including magnetorheological elastomers, through their unique DYNAMET system, funded by Enterprise Ireland. This research group comprises principal and advisory researchers, 2 postdoctoral researchers, 3 PhD students and has developed strong collaborations with German Institute of Rubber Technology (DIK), the universities of Dundee, Portsmouth, London, Lyon and Warsaw. (http://www.dit.ie/research/centres/nlmrg/).

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National Institute for Transport & Logistics (NITL) has establish its expertise in supply chain management (SCM) and logistics throughout a number of research funded projects and close research links with several leading logistics/SCM research organisations, including Heriot-Watt University, University of Hull, Cranfield UniversityTransport Engineering Research Group, including low noise / low cost solutions for night deliveries, flight related deep venous thrombosis and application of behavioural decision theory to the Irish road freight industry. Members of this group are also involved in a number of EC FP6 projects (BESTUFS, SCILENSE, NICHES, POLIS, Interreg IVB BAPTS) and collaborations with Dublin City Council, SenterNovem Netherlands, Noise Abatement Society UK, Bombardier Aerospace and VENTAC. The project manager, Roisin Byrne and lead researcher, Hugh Finlay, have been recently appointed to the EC experts group on Transport Research (http://www.nitl.ie/)

National Institute for National Institute for Transport Logistic Transport Logistic

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Research Signature Research Signature AreasAreas

Faculty of EngineeringFaculty of Engineeringo Biomedical Engineering, Assistive Technologies & Health Informatics

o DSP: Audio & Speech Processing, Bio-imaging and Computer Vision Systems, Cryptology and Information Security

o Sustainable Energy & Transport Systems

o Wireless Communications

o Engineering Education

o Optical Sensing

o Characterization of Elastomers and Smart Materials

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Definition of researchA standard, textbook definition of scientific research is:

Scientific research is the systematic, controlled, empirical

and critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by

theory and hypotheses about the presumed relations among

such phenomena.

(Kerlinger 1986, page 10)

This definition can be simplified to:

Scientific research is asking questions in a systematic way

to obtain answers that will be meaningful and can be

replicated.

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ProblemProblem

ProblemProblem

GoalGoal

GoalGoal

Inter-Inter-

pretation pretation of dataof data

Inter-Inter-

pretation pretation of dataof data

Sub-Sub-

problemsproblems

Sub-Sub-

problemsproblems

HypothesisHypothesis

HypothesisHypothesis

Collection Collection

of dataof data

Collection Collection

of dataof data

Research is Research is a cyclicala cyclicalprocessprocess

Research is, by its nature, cyclical

Paul Leedy, "Practical Research: Planning and Design"

Mathematicalor/ and

numerical modeling

Experiments

Val

idat

ion

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Grand challenge problems are areas where the problems are demonstrably hard to solve, suggesting that our capabilities to solve the problem(s) will require improvements of several orders-of-magnitude. Grand challenge problems are of economic and social importance. Most grand challenges are interdisciplinary in that they substantively consider 1) the inherent complexity of nature and society, 2) the consequent desire to explore basic research questions at the interfaces of disciplines, 3) the need to solve societal problems, and 4) the power of new technologies (National Academies, Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research, 2004).

Grand challenge problems

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$25 Million ‘Virgin Earth Challenge’ Sir Richard Branson and Al Gore have set up a new global science and technology prize -? The Virgin Earth Challenge - which will award $25 million to the individual or group who are able to demonstrate a commercially viable design which will remove at least 1 billion tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide per year for at least ten years without harmful effects.  The removal must have long term effects and contribute materially to the stability of the Earth’s climate.  It is the largest science and technology prize ever offered.

Recently, The Board of Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in Ireland approved a Strategic Framework to 2020 that will see major company investment in renewable energy, the halving of its carbon emissions within 12 years, and the achievement of carbon net-zero by 2035. Fifty percent of the overall investment package is geared towards investments in our renewable future. €4bn of this will be directly invested in renewable energy projects and €6.5bn will be spent facilitating renewables including smart metering and smart networks.

The Board of Electricity Supply Board (ESB) - €4 Billion

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o Biogerontechnologyo Energy Storage Materialso Biofuels and Bio-Based Chemicalso Clean Coal Technologieso Service Roboticso The Internet of Things

Disruptive Civil Technologies

Six Technologies with Potential Impacts on USInterests out to 2025

Emerging research signature areas ?Emerging research signature areas ?

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"Since we cannot be universal and know all that is to be known of everything, we ought to know a little about everything. For it is far better to know something about everything than to know all about one thing.“

B. Pascal (1623 - 1662)

Can we know all about everything ?

Interdisciplinary research group

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FundsPI3PD

1T

VS5PG

Pri

ori

ty

rese

arch

ar

ea

RESEARCH TEAM

Critical Mass

Proposal

Information/Support

Fil

ter

on

th

e b

asis

of

qu

alit

y (p

eer

revi

ew)

Inte

rdiscip

linary

Inte

rdiscip

linary

RSU, OGS&R

Workshops/Seminars

Technical/Administ-rartion Staff

International Collaboration/Sabbaticals

EU Training Courses/IUTAM Summer Schools

External Research Infrastructure, (Tyndall National Institute, ICHEC)

7FPCOST

SMEs – outsourcing

CommunityEngagement

RFPUREKA

OUTPUTS• Graduates research experience• Research outputs• Innovation outputs• Visible research strengths• Partnerships with extended knowledge actors & stakeholders

QUALITYThe quality of the outputs in turn impacts on the ability of the Faculty to attract research income

Internal funding:e.g. Abbest, CaBSExternal funding:

Model(s) of research groups/teams ?

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Examples of open problems in computer science

If one-way functions do not exist then public key cryptography is impossible To what degree can one speed up a computation in various architectures –

a single processor, grid, distributed network, etc. ? Amdahl's law ? What is an optimal unit-execution-time (UET) scheduling algorithm for

3 processors with precedence constraints ?

Electrical & Electronic & Software Engineering

- exciting research fields.

There are many opportunities for innovation, creating new technology, and

designing and developing new research prototypes and products, in areas

ranging from the most mathematical and theoretical to the most experimental.

Researchers are members in a community of scholars and innovators. The

research community contributes much that is important and valuable to society,

and a career as a researcher can be enormously and personally

satisfying.

PROBLEMS FOR RESEARCH

ARE EVERYWHERE !!!

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Are you curious about the whys and hows of things ? persistent in your approach ? an independent thinker and worker ? creative and innovative ? disciplined and focused when you need to be ?

Researcher’s attributes

The value of a research qualification Can enhance your job prospects Allows in-depth study of a particular subject of interest Enables you to develop highly transferable skills, such as:

• autonomous learning and project management

• in-depth critical appraisal abilities

• well honed analytical and research skills

• creativity, problem solving and lateral thinking

• the capacity to spot patterns and trends

• commercial awareness After Dr. Gerald Farrell

You can undertake postgraduate research

YES

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Your career ?

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Values of the twenty-first century engineer

After A. Pais

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In philosophy, the concept of holism encompasses the idea that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. The modern engineer will be able to see connections between seemingly disparate components and integrate them so that their combined value is greater than the sum of the values of the individual components. This ability will be acquired by an accumulated knowledge and creativity developed over time as a result of an interest in not only engineering but also other fields such as arts, science, humanities and commerce.

Twenty-first century engineers should be well-rounded, well-balanced individuals who are capable of relating to people from a variety of backgrounds. They should not be driven by monetary reward alone but by the pride, satisfaction and enjoyment that comes from doing things that are particularly useful. Although their day-to-day work might involve solving very specific technical problems, they should be aware that their work is part of a ‘bigger picture’.

Values of the twenty-first century engineer

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Scientists’ and Engineers’ Job Satisfaction

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The Knowledge-based Economy: knowledge as a product knowledge workers

Building the Knowledge-based Economy in Building the Knowledge-based Economy in EuropeEurope

European Union European Union Research Policy – Research Policy – Lisbon StrategyLisbon Strategy

Growth and Jobs

InnovationEducation

Research

target for R&D: 2.5% GNP by 2010, ranking in top six countries in scientific publications and citations, researchers as proportion of total employment doubling, a doubling of enterprises performing R&D and of sales/exports from products/processes, university patenting, spin-out and licensing activity comparable to norms of leading US institutions

‘Building Ireland’s Knowledge Economy’ (2004) The Report of the Expert

Group on Future Skills Needs said that by 2010 we will require an increase in the Irish research population from 10,200 (measured in 2003) to 18,300 (in 2010).The output of PhDs will rise from 450 per annum in 2002/2003 to 900 per annum in 2013.

DIT Targets for Research and Scholarship by 2010

60 new research posts, 30% of academic staff are research active, 500 peer reviewed papers pa, 600 research students (400 PhD), 50 postdoctoral appointments

The generation of The generation of PhD and research PhD and research

degrees as a key for degrees as a key for success in knowledge success in knowledge

economy !economy !

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Labour Intensive,low value-added activities

Knowledge Intensive, high value-added activities

A Time of Transition

After Martin Cronin, Chief Executive, Forfás

European Labour Market for Researchers

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R&D the new Manufacturing ?

35

Competing on Knowledge

Research

Converted toKnowledge & Technology

Research

Converted toKnowledge & Technology

Innovation

Knowledge & TechnologyConverted to

Innovation

Knowledge & TechnologyConverted to

Innovation/R&D

Production ofGoods/Services

Sales &

Marketing

Integrated Value Chain

After Martin Cronin, Chief Executive, Forfás

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Value Added in Manufacturing

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Value Added in Tradable Services

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Salaries and Career Progression

39

Destinations after Graduation

40

41

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Guidelines for Contract Researchers Salary Scales 2007

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Tomorrow’s Skills. Towards a National Skills Strategy

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Employment in Ireland by Sector 2005-2020

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Source: Kline and Rosenberg (1986)

(C) a central chain of innovation involving the identification of a potential market followed by design and testing of the idea, leading to market entry. (f) feed-back loops to depict the trial and error nature of the process. (F) the most important source of feed-back is from testing the idea in the market. (K) the existing stock of knowledge (R) research - new knowledge, (1) & (2) the problem might be solved by reference to the existing stock of knowledge (3) research undertaken(4) outcomes of research is uncertain as the problem may be insoluble.

The chain-link model of innovationThe chain-link model of innovation

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‘Although the transmission of knowledge is critical to social and economic development, general advancement of knowledge comes through research-based acts of discovery. This is why the research function of the university matters. It is through research that universities add to the shared stock of human knowledge. Research efforts can be problem-directed in their nature, taking as their starting point issues and concerns emerging from everyday life. Research efforts can also be curiosity driven, motivated primarily by the interests of researchers who might gain their inspiration from a variety of questions or puzzles, and who approach their research using concepts and methods, representing the accumulation of knowledge in their given disciplines or fields of inquiry (Strandburg, 2005).’

The chain-link model of innovationThe chain-link model of innovation

47

A general model of the research processA general model of the research process

Michael Mintrom, Managing the research function of the university: pressures and dilemmasJournal of Higher Education Policy and ManagementVol. 30, No. 3, August 2008, p. 231–244

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Options for managing the research functionOptions for managing the research function

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Options for managing the research functionOptions for managing the research function

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Contact details: Tom FlanaganHead of CommercialisationDIT Hothouse, Aungier StP: +353 (1) 402 7028E: tom.flanagan@dit.ie

Intellectual Property (IP) Intellectual Property (IP) PolicyPolicy

As Thomas Jefferson, the father of the US patent system put it, “He who receives an idea from me, “He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without receives instruction himself without lessening mine, as he who lights his lessening mine, as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without taper at mine, receives light without darkening me”.darkening me”.

The US Constitution is a relatively short document, but protection of discovery and innovation was thought important enough to be included:““Congress shall have power to Congress shall have power to promote the progress of science and promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.writings and discoveries.[Article I, section 8][Article I, section 8]

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“At DIT we are leading the way with our new IP policy” said President Norton. “It is unique in Ireland and most of Europe. The fact that the creator can own their own IP encourages staff and students to be innovative. It makes DIT an attractive place to work for leading researchers, authors and inventors, and enhances our reputation for excellence and industry relevance”.

In addition to the new policy, DIT set up Hothouse the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at DIT, to help inventors and authors protect and commercialise their IP. Tom Flanagan leads the Hothouse team and has successfully negotiated licences for DIT technologies with SONY, Sherman Williams, General Paints, ABB etc and many more are in the pipeline.

DIT New Intellectual Property Policy

52

DIT’s new Intellectual Property (IP) policy The following table shows the distribution of net revenue received for licences or equity sales made by DIT for IP that is assigned to it:

Net Revenues Creators Research Group DITFaculty/School

0 – 100k€ 75% 10% 15%

100k€-300k€ 65% 10% 25%

300k€ - 1M€ 55% 10% 35%

>1M€ 45% 10% 45%

Where the owner assigns their IP to DIT to commercialise then DIT will return 65% of net proceeds to the inventor, whereas most IP firms will only return 10-20%. Where IP was developed using substantial DIT resources and is commercialised by the inventor or author, only 10% of Net Revenues will be claimed by DIT. Inventors can also ask Hothouse to assign back IP that was originally assigned to DIT and in these cases DIT will only claim 10% of any net revenues received.

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A spin-out company: research, technology transfer and company growth

Some industrialists believe that academics never deliver what they

promise, and some academics believe the objectives of all

industrialists is to steal their ideas. Of course, these preconceptions

are misconceptions, and the challenge for the technology transfer staff

is to help correct the misconceptions. If the intermediary can persuade the

academic that he will not allow the industrialist to steal the academic’s

ideas, and can persuade the industrialist that this academic does deliver

on promises, then, quite often, the antagonists discover the inaccuracy of

their initial prejudices. The industrialist finds that the academic is, in fact,

quite hard working and does, in fact, deliver. The academic finds that

industrialists are, on the whole, honest and often have some very useful

resources.

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A spin-out company: research, technology transfer and company growth

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Which Route: Taught ME or MPhil or PhD by Research ?

Taught programmes offer well defined route but less research experience.

MPhil takes 18-24 months, less well defined but greater independent research experience.

PhD takes 3-4 years, demands not just more time but greater level of originality.

Route depends on aptitude/circumstances; can start out then progress higher.

After Dr. Gerald Farrell

Which Route: Full-time .V. Part-time? Part-time research degrees are increasingly popular with engineers

in employment Employers may provide support, but may require lock-in contract Research may relate to work, but caution may be needed with

conflicts relating to timing and IP Route depends on circumstances and employer support

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Source of Funding

DIT internal research funding 1. Abbest PhD Scholarship2. STRAND I (HEA) – MPhil, PhD3. Capacity Building Scheme (CaBS) for Strategic Research (old)4. STRAND III (HEA)

Two of the major routes for external funding are:

Employment as a research assistant by research programmes funded by bodies such as Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Entreprise Ireland (EI) or EU 7th Framework Programme

Postgraduate stipends under the Embark Programme administered on behalf of the Government by the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET)

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aimed at exceptional candidates who have an

exciting or innovative idea for Doctoral research

grants €16,000 p.a., plus €2,000 towards

research expenses and fees

duration 3.5 years

applicants formulate their own research proposal,

closing date May 2009

DIT ABBEST PhD Scholarship DIT ABBEST PhD Scholarship Programme Programme

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IRCSET: Postgraduate Research Funding

Terms and Conditions

Total Value: €24,000 max per annum €16,000 goes directly to the student with the remainder available to fund other forms of support such

as fees, appropriate travel and other expenses. A social insurance contribution is also provided for, in addition to the above

The exact amount will vary depending on individual circumstances, but for a typical single person with only standard tax credits it is equivalent to approximately €18,900.

Scholars encouraged to participate in appropriate conferences Scholarship paid to Research Body in quarterly instalments Review of progress: yearly reports

Open to those commencing a research degree for the 1st time in Ireland in the Autumn of the year of application

Qualifications: normally 1st class results, few upper 2nd class honours degree & other factors

PhD funding: 3 years, Masters funding 1 year, extensions are possible Two calls per year: closing April (up to 150 scholarships ) &

July (up to 30 scholarships)

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IRCSET: Postgraduate Research Funding The Application Process

Practise writing your personal statement and get this up to scratch. Talk it over with your career’s advisors. Look into project areas that interest you Approach potential referees Assessment:

• 10% Research project: need to show focus, discuss this with

potential supervisor

• 30% Academic Career: your CV

• 30% Personal Statement: need to show that research is a considered

career path,

• 30% References: get the referees to comment on just how fabulous you are!

This will also include your position in class.

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The programme supports students in computing and those working at the intersection of computing and the sciences.

Areas of interest: Computational Biology, Computational Ecology and Environment Science, Computer-Mediated Living (including Integrated Systems, Sensors and Devices, and Socio-Digital Systems), Constraint Reasoning, Machine Learning and Perception (including Applied Games, Computer Vision, Information Retrieval, and Machine Learning), Natural Computation, Programming Principles and Tools (including Security), Systems and Networking (including Distributed Systems, Networking, and Operating Systems).

The Microsoft Research European PhD Scholarship Programme

62

Applications will only be accepted through a student’s institution, Any student who has been accepted by a university in Europe to start a PhD or who will have completed no more than one year of their PhD by October 2007 is eligible. Two strong letters of recommendation (preferably not from the supervisor) Each Microsoft scholar will be awarded a bursary of up to 33,000 euros per year up to a maximum of three years, Awards will be made by 1 July 2007 At the end of the second year of their PhD, some of the scholars may be offered in Microsoft Research’s sole discretion an internship in one of the Microsoft Research laboratories At the end of the first year of their PhD, scholars will be invited to Microsoft Research Cambridge for a summer school that includes a series of talks of academic interest and a poster session, which will give the scholars the opportunity to present their work to Microsoft researchers and a number of Cambridge academics

The Microsoft Research European PhD Scholarship Programme – Terms and Conditions

63

Research Funding Agencies The Irish Government pursues a carefully planned, integrated R&D strategy encompassing all of the key elements necessary to achieve world-class R&D. Government agencies have developed a range of new initiatives to encourage pooled projects and attract world-class scientists to carry out research in Ireland. This inclusive way of bringing together industry and academia has led to a boom in research projects. More than 10,000 researchers are working on cutting edge R&D projects in Ireland.

Flexible funding mechanisms are available for research by industry and by academics, individually or in collaboration.  Funding programmes are implemented by the following agencies:  IDA Ireland Enterprise Ireland  Higher Education Authority Science Foundation Ireland Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Energy Ireland

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Ireland’s intellectual property laws provide companies with generous incentives to innovate. The Irish tax system offers huge support to turn brilliant ideas into the finished article. A highly competitive corporate tax rate of 12.5% is a major incentive. No tax is paid on earnings from intellectual property where the underlying R&D work was carried out in Ireland.

Incentives for Industry

IDA Ireland (Industrial Development Agency)

Schemes: Feasibility and Training Support. Support for first time research and development activity RD&I Support: Support for companies with existing research and development activity Collaborative R&D projects The Innovation Partnership Initiative EU Framework Programme R&D Tax Credit Stamp Duty on Intellectual Property

http://www.idaireland.com

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Industry Research Partnership

Industry involvement with SFI Investigator Programmes

SFI strongly encourages research collaboration between SFI funded

scientists & engineers and industry. Such interactions can lead to SFI

scientists & engineers becoming more informed about industrial

priorities and research needs; and lead to industrial collaborators being

informed about important new science and engineering research

developments in Ireland.

Science Foundation Ireland

http://www.sfi.ie/

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R & D FundingEnterprise Ireland's R&D funding supports market-led innovation in manufacturing and services companies.Innovation VouchersA new initiative to boost innovation in small companies by building links between your company and the Research community.New to R&D?Through our R&D awareness initiative, we can help companies that have not previously been involved in R&D to get started.R & D ManagementWe support training on R & D techniques and Innovation under our Innovation Management InitiativeTechnology AcquisitionAcquiring technologies developed by others is an effective way to enhance your company's performance.

R&D within your Enterprise

http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/ResearchInnovate/

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We provide support in three phases:

Proof of Concept Phase - €50,000-€100,000 over a 12 month period

Technology Development Phase - €100k to €400k; 18-36 months.

Business Development Phase - CORD Under this phase we also offer support through our Enterprise Platform Programme - EPP

Commercialisation Fund

http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/ResearchInnovate/

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Innovation Partnerships R&D Support

Maximum Grant €190,000 (EI contribution) Duration 6 Months - 2 Years Variable Grant Rate (50% - 75%)

DedicatedDedicated researcher & research facilities Access Access to up-to-date science /

technology DurationDuration 6 to 24 months Skills Skills availability post-project ReducedReduced R&D costs to company

Key Features / BenefitsKey Features / Benefits

RESEARCH PROJECTRESEARCH PROJECT

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Company

College PI

InnovationResearch

Outlineproposal

Full Proposal

Feasibility

TechnicalAssessment

CommercialAssessment

OK NRSFB

New Product

or process

Max €190K EI grant

Max €9K EI grant

EIAssessment

6 wks

90%Funded Project

Company25-50%

Enterprise Ireland50-75%

Innovation Partnerships R&D Support

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Planning a grant applicationImagine a proposal that is due on June 5th. A great deal must occur before the application deadline. The hypothetical schedule below for the typical grant proposal assumes a concentration of effort in the final month.

Be prepared to: During/By:

Think Outline Seek advice Rethink Write Prepare a draft budget Revise Ask colleagues to review draft Revise Finalise budget (with research accountant) Solicit final review by colleagues Revise and proofread Submit for internal sign-off Package Submit to funding agency

September-December January Early February Mid February March March April 1-15 April 15-30 May 1-10 May 12-14 May 15-30 June 1-8 June 2 June 4 June 5

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Objectives:

o To support innovative, cutting-edge and internationally competitive research in a broad range of disciplines in Science, Mathematics and Engineering.

o To establish a mechanism of looking forward to allow for changes in strategic areas in the future.

o To provide a broad base of support to underpin the strategic areas of Biotechnology, Information & Communications Technology, and Sustainable Energy & Energy-Efficient Technologies.

o To provide advanced education and training for young researchers in a wide variety of areas.

How to apply for funding ?How to apply for funding ? Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Frontiers Programme (RFP)

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How to manage a funded project ?How to manage a funded project ?WP1

Project Management and CommunicationLead Researcher: Dr G. Farrell

WP2Solutions for Optical Sensing Applications

(Research to develop application specific optical sensing solutions for Fast Measurement of Low Strain Values)

Overall Research co-ordination: EAOS Post-doctoral Researcher

WP3Application Area #1

Strain sensing for robotic surgical instruments

Co-ordinated by: M. McGrath,

WP4Application Area #2

Strain sensing of noise fieldsCo-ordinated by: Ms. R. Byrne

(Business and Technical Development Manager)

WP5Application Area #3

Strain and Temperature Measurement for Functionally

Graded MaterialsCo-ordinated by: Dr. D.J. Browne

(Senior Lecturer, UCD)

WP6DisseminationAll PARTNERS Co-ordinated by Dr. Y. Semenova

WP7Teaching & Learning

All PARTNERSCo-ordinated by Dr. Y. Semenova

WP1Project Management and Communication

Lead Researcher: Dr G. Farrell

WP2Solutions for Optical Sensing Applications

(Research to develop application specific optical sensing solutions for Fast Measurement of Low Strain Values)

Overall Research co-ordination: EAOS Post-doctoral Researcher

WP3Application Area #1

Strain sensing for robotic surgical instruments

Co-ordinated by: M. McGrath,

WP4Application Area #2

Strain sensing of noise fieldsCo-ordinated by: Ms. R. Byrne

(Business and Technical Development Manager)

WP5Application Area #3

Strain and Temperature Measurement for Functionally

Graded MaterialsCo-ordinated by: Dr. D.J. Browne

(Senior Lecturer, UCD)

WP6DisseminationAll PARTNERS Co-ordinated by Dr. Y. Semenova

WP7Teaching & Learning

All PARTNERSCo-ordinated by Dr. Y. Semenova

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How to manage a funded project ?How to manage a funded project ?Gantt ChartGantt Chart

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Work package 1: Project Management and Communication

Duration: months 1-24

Aim: Overall management and communications for the EAOS project

Activities: Overall management of the research project and its activities Project communications Ensure on-time delivery of all project scientific and technical deliverables. Organise meetings of the project partners as required plenary meetings of the project partners every four months Co-ordinate activities of the partners in acquiring further funding support for the research Together with WP6 co-ordinator ensure maximum impact of project outputs by appropriate dissemination.

Milestones & Deliverables:Milestone: 1.A successful demonstration of optical sensing in each of the three application areas.Deliverables: 1.End of Year 1 report on the project to DIT2.Final report on the project to DIT3.EAOS workshop organised4.Project meetings organised

How to manage a funded project ?How to manage a funded project ?

75

Work package 2: Solutions for Optical Sensing Applications

Duration: months 1-24

Aim: Research to develop application specific optical sensing solutions for Fast Measurement of Low Strain Values, using a common sensor interrogation system

Activities: Optimisation of the bend loss filter design and characteristics to achieve a high sensitivity to low values of strain Development of a high-speed interrogation technique for analysis of multiple sensors Calibration of the sensor interrogation system for operation in a “real world” conditions, separation between temperature and pressure effects, temperature stabilization etc. Embedding of fibre optic sensors within a working environment for each of the specific applications, e.g., sensor mounting, protection etc.

Milestones & Deliverables:Milestone: 1.Optimal bend loss filter specification (optical and mechanical) for high speed, low strain value sensing. 2.Versatile calibration technique which can deal with a variety of different application areas and sensor conditions3.Understanding of the protection requirements for optical sensors in the three different application areas4.Reliable application specific techniques for sensor attachment and/or embedding Deliverables: 1.A fast and accurate sensor interrogation system which can be adapted to suit the requirements of each of the three named application areas in the EAOS project2.Journal and conference publications on fast low strain interrogation of optical sensors (see WP6)3.A technical report/guide on the embedding and protection of optical sensors for a range of application areas, as a guide to other users who may wish to employ optical sensing in their applications

How to manage a funded project ?How to manage a funded project ?

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Work package 6: Dissemination for the EAOS project

Duration: months 1-24

Aim: To disseminate knowledge of the project and its outcomes to a broad audience of fellow academics, students and industry

Activities: Preparation of joint publications in journals and at conferences Development of a dedicated web presence for dissemination Preparation of joint publications in trade and other relevant magazines Workshop organisation

Milestones & Deliverables:Milestones: 1.An interim dissemination report at the end of Year 1 2.A final dissemination report at the end of the project.Deliverables: 1.At least four joint international journal papers and six joint conference papers with high impact factors per year.2.Dedicated dissemination web page, 3.Promotion of the project outcomes on the web sites of the Applied Optoelectronics Centre (http://www.aoc.dit.ie/) and the Faculty and DIT websites. 4.Presentation of research reports for DIT and other student research seminars;5.Two appropriate articles in industry trade magazines 6.An article in the Enterprise Ireland publication “Technology Ireland” describing the EAOS project. 7.Organisation of a EAOS workshop

How to manage a funded project ?How to manage a funded project ?

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Months 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24

WP1: Project Management and Coordination

D4 D4D1D4

D4D3D4

M1D2D4

WP2: Solutions for Optical Sensing Applications

M1M2M3

M4 D1 D3

D2

WP3: Strain sensing for robotic surgical instruments

M1 M2 D1 D2 D4

D3

WP4: Strain sensing of noise fields

M1 D1 M2 D2 D3

D4

WP5: Strain and Temperature Measurement for Functionally Graded Materials

M1 M2 D3 D4

D1, D2

WP6: Dissemination for the EAOS project

D2 D3 M1D5 D7

D6 M2

D1, D4

WP7: Teaching and Learning Impact of the EAOS project

M1 D4M2D5

D1, D2, D3

How to manage a funded project ? How to manage a funded project ? Gantt ChartGantt Chart

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"Aeroplanes are not designed by science, but by art in spite of some pretence and humbug to the contrary. I do not mean to suggest that engineering can do without science, on the contrary, it stands on scientific foundations, but there is a big gap between scientific research and the engineering product which has to be bridged by the art of the engineer “.

- British Engineer to the Royal Aeronautical Society, 1922

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No to PowerPoint PoisoningNo to PowerPoint Poisoning

Thank You !!! Questions ?Thank You !!! Questions ?

Dr. Marek Rebow, Head of Research, Faculty of Engineering Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton Street, E-Block,Dublin 1, IrelandPhone: 00 353 (0)1 402 2970 / 8013Mobile: 00 353 (0)87 9412766E-mail: marek.rebow@dit.