SFI Research Centres Programme 2012
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Webinar Instructions
• This webinar consists of a PowerPoint presentation with voiceover (1-way!)
• We’ll walk you through the presentation and answer questions at the end
• Submit questions by text on the GoToMeeting control panel – be concise
• We will post link to recording of webinar on www.sfi.ie shortly
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Communications
• Information meeting on 26 Jan
• ~200 attendees (mostly academic)
• Information meeting on 10 Feb
• ~100 attendees (mostly business)
• ~50 submissions: feedback & suggestions
• Upcoming: town-hall workshops
• March 20-23
Introduction
• Follow government-led initiatives (i.e. research agenda and priorities).
• Link scientists and engineers across academia and industry.
• Budget: €16m (direct costs) in 2013
• Approximately €100m (direct costs), 2013-2019.
• Only proposals with both research excellence and high impact in areas of national importance funded.
High-Level Objectives
• Excellent basic, oriented research
• Discoveries in areas informed by Ireland-based technology companies
• Significant economic or societal impact
Objectives (updated)
• Achieve, maintain or enhance academic leadership.
• Attract large FDI investments in corporate R&D centres.
• Spin-out new, disruptive, high-tech start-ups.
• Transfer technology & expertise to Irish MNCs & SMEs.
• Educate next generation of engineers & scientists for Irish MNCs & SMEs (MSc & PhD).
• Provide tangible societal benefit (e.g. Health Service / Education / Social Welfare / Public Sector).
Definitions
Applicant Group
• Lead applicant and co-applicants.
• Pre-existing research group, e.g. CSET or SRC.
• New collection of investigators.
Centre Budget (direct costs)
• SFI cash contribution
• Industry cash contribution.
• Industry in-kind contribution.
General Eligibility
• Must meet eligibility criteria, by pre-proposal closing date 20 April 2012 @ 13.00.
• Ineligible submissions, eliminated without review.
• Comply with SFI’s general terms and conditions.
Programme Remit
• Programme covers:
• Life Sciences (LS).
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
• Sustainable energy and energy efficient technologies (Energy).
• Must fall within at least one of the research priority areas.
• Must clearly identify the relevant priority areas.
Research Priority
• Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group published March 1.
• Available at:
• http://www.forfas.ie/newsevents/news/title,8960,en.php
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Research Priorities and STI System
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14 Research Priority Areas
• A Future Networks & Communications
• B Data Analytics Management, Security & Privacy
• C Digital Platforms, Content & Applications
• D Connected Health & Independent Living
• E Medical Devices
• F Diagnostics
• G Therapeutics - synthesis formulation, processing and drug delivery
• H Food for Health
• I Sustainable Food Production and Processing
• J Marine Renewable Energy
• K Smart Grids & Smart Cities
• L Manufacturing Competitiveness
• M Processing Technologies and Novel Materials
• N Innovation in Services and Business Processes
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6 Underpinning Areas
• Basic Biomedical Science
• Nanotechnology
• Advanced Materials
• Microelectronics
• Photonics
• Software Engineering
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Integrating Infrastructure
• Operation and maintenance of equipment
• Clinical and translational integrating infrastructure
• e-Infrastructure
• …
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Eligibility Criteria of Applicants
• One lead applicant, 2-9 co-applicants
Lead/co-applicant must be:
• Academic staff.
• Contract researcher.
• Academic staff member on award of grant.
• Ph.D. (or equivalent) - at least 8 years.
• Senior author - 10 international peer reviewed articles.
• One independent research grant - lead investigator or co-investigator.
Lead Applicants
• Lead applicant – only one pre-proposal.
• Lead/Co-applicants – named Co-PIs (CSET / SRC awards) not eligible to lead
• May be named as a co-applicant.
• Eligible to apply – if under evaluation 2012 SFI Investigators Programme / other SFI programmes.
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Lead/Co-applicants
Lead or co-applicants – in receipt of significant SFI research funding:
• Examine commitment and work load.
• Strong justification – role in applicant group.
Co-applicant:
• May be located at different research body to lead applicant.
• Comply with eligibility and evaluation criteria.
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Applicant Groups
• Research groups previously funded, but not in receipt of SFI centre/cluster funding.
• New groups of independent academics
• Non SFI-funded academic centres/clusters
• Existing SFI centres/clusters:
• Expiration date centre/cluster award - on or before 31 December 2014.
• At least one positive - external progress evaluation.
Applicant Groups
• Raised €10m cash in direct costs – 2006-2012.
• SFI awards - CSET, SRC, PI, RFP, SIRG, PIYRA.
• Industry-funded research projects.
• National funding agencies – HRB, IRCSET.
• EU Framework Programme awards.
• International funding sources - Wellcome Trust.
• Irish or international charities.
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Research Centre Structure• Hub & spoke model
• Hub:
• Core operations.
• Platform research.
• Spokes:
• Targeted projects, each with at least one industry partner.
Programme Structure
• Expression of Interest
• Match making - no evaluation
• Pre-proposal
• Scientific/technical & impact panels
• Full-proposal
• Postal review
• Final panel
• Decision (early 2013)
Expression of Interest
• Expression of Interest
• Expression of Interest – 9 March 2012 @ 13.00.
• Industry - helpful not necessary to participate.
• Academic – necessary in order to submit a proposal.
• Full collection of EoI’s will be made available.
• No evaluation, no groups eliminated.
Matchmaking
• After EoI deadline:• All EoI’s will be made available to all who
submitted.
• SFI will facilitate introductions & match-making.
• SFI will hold town hall meetings in locations around the country.
• Galway March 20, Limerick March 21, Cork March 22 & Dublin March 23.
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Pre-Proposal
• Deadline – 20 April 2012 @ 13.00
• Scientific panel
• Excellence of the people and ideas
• Impact panel
• Potential of the economic benefit
• Need positive evaluation in both panels
Full Proposal
• Deadline – 10 September 2012 @ 13.00.
• Only invited proposals evaluated.
• Postal review – 4 – 6 written reviews by topic experts.
• Internal selection of most competitive proposals.
• Selected proposals invited for final panel meeting.
• Opportunity to provide brief written response to postal reviews.
Programme Structure
• Postal Review, Panel & Decision
• Panel Meeting Invitation - 15 November 2012.
• Final panel meeting – 10 December 2012.
• Final panel – high-level members (VPR, Corporate R&D Directors, VCs, Entrepreneurs).
• Decision for funding – early 2013.
• Letters of Offer in Feb/March 2013.
• Fast start expected.
Funding Structure
• Centre Budget
• Min 30% industry contribution overall
• Min 10% industry cash
• Balance of ind. contribution in-kind
• SFI contribution max 70%
• Government, not-for-profit, philanthropy, etc. are not industry contributions
Research Centre Budget
• €1m & €5m SFI contribution per annum.
• Centre budget can (and should) grow over time.
• New targeted projects (spokes) during lifetime of the programme.
Research Centre Budget
• Operations— maximum of 20% of budget.
— fund operational running costs.
• Platform Research— maximum of 30% of budget.
— fund core research activities.
• Targeted projects (Spokes) — budget is flexible for targeted projects.
— at least one industry partner
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Industry Funding
• Minimum of 30% of budget.
• Cash must be calculated as direct research funding.
• In-kind: People, Equipment, Software, Materials.
• Must be committed – 2013 and 2014
• May be indicative – 2015 and beyond.
• No double counting
Membership Scheme
• Charge companies to participate in the activities of the Research Centre.
• Funds raised may fulfil necessary industry cash contributions.
• Outline operation of the scheme.
Follow-up Funding
• Opening calls for additional Targeted Projects (spokes) – rolling and fixed-call basis.
• Rolling call open to projects with 50% industry cash
• Follow-up funding – critical performance indicator.
Other Issues
• Research Body Approval
• Submission of application – represents approval of application.
• Approval of the lead applicant and all co-applicants.
• Intellectual Property Management
• Revised National IP guidelines in development.
• Consultation period expected Feb-Mar 2012.
QUESTIONS
Pre-proposal Submission
• Cover Sheet
• Contact Details
• Scientific Abstract (max. 200 words)
• Succinct, accurate summary of the proposed work.
• Lay Abstract (max. 100 words)
• Succinct, accurate summary in lay, non-technical language.
• Research Priority Areas (max. 1 page)
• Identify one or more research priority areas.
• Keywords (max. 15 words)
• Up to 15 - best describe the topic areas.
Pre-proposal Submission
• Applicant Team (max. 2 pages per applicant)
• CV for each lead applicant and co-applicant.
• Funding History
• Funding history from 2006 – 2012.
• At least €10m cash in direct costs.
• Profile of the Applicant Group (max. 3 pages)
• Scientific/technical discoveries or achievements
• Economic/societal impact achievements
Pre-Proposal (cont.)
• Research Programme (max. 5 pages)
• Key research objectives.
• Brief description of the research programme.
• Economic/Societal Impact (max. 5 pages)
• Key economic/societal impact objectives.
• How will objectives be achieved
• Make reference to programme objectives
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Pre-Proposal (cont.)
• Membership structure (max. 1 page)
• Letter(s) of intent/support from industry collaborators
• Indicative budget
• Overall centre budget
• SFI contribution
• Annualised budget by operation & projects
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Full Proposal Submission
• Cover Sheet
• Contact Details
• Scientific Abstract (max. 200 words)
• Lay Abstract (max. 100 words)
• Research Priority Areas (max. 1 page)
• Keywords (max. 15)
• Funding History
Full Proposal (cont.)
• Applicant Team (max. 7 pages per applicant)
• Detailed CV for each co-applicant.
• CV for funded investigator and official collaborator – max. 2 pages.
• Profile of the Applicant Group (max. 5 pages)
• Scientific/technical discoveries or achievements of the group.
• Economic/societal impact achievements of the group.
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Full Proposal (cont.)
• Research Programme (max. 30 pages)
• Key research objectives.
• Detailed description of the research programme.
• Describe Platform Research and each Targeted Project
• Why relevant, timely, novel, important
Full Proposal (cont.)
• Economic/Societal Impact (max. 10 pages)
• High-level economic and societal impact of centre
• Impact of Platform Research and Targeted Projects.
• How can objectives be achieved
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Full Proposal (cont.)
• Management and Operations (max. 5 pages)
• Describe the management and operations of the centre
• Programme/project management
• Education & outreach
• Membership Structure (max. 2 pages)
• Brief description – membership scheme operation.
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Full Proposal (cont.)
• Support from the Host Institute (max. 2 pages)
• Infrastructure, facilities space and services – provided by Host Institution.
• Clearly describe how overhead income will be used.
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Full Proposal (cont.)
• Letters of Support
• Each industry collaborator.
• Each official collaborator.
• Host research body of the lead applicant.
• Host research body of each co-applicant and funded investigator.
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Full Proposal (cont.)
• Summary budget and detailed budgets.
• Overall centre budget.
• Summary budget – for SFI Contribution.
• Annualised budget – for centre operations.
• Detailed breakdown of industry financial contributions .
• Detailed breakdown for SFI funding – staff, equipment and materials.
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Full Proposal (cont.)
• Budget Justification (max. 5 pages)
• For each requested researcher – including salary scale for each team member.
• For equipment, consumables and travel.
• For overseas equipment/services.
Full Proposal (cont.)
• Excluded Reviewers
• Up to three (3) individuals – request SFI excludes from postal reviews.
• Research Centre Summary (10 pages)
• Summarised version of full proposal.
• Include team, research programme, economic/societal impact and summarised budget.
Overall Research Centre Budget
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TOTAL RESEARCH CENTRE BUDGET 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 TotalIndustry Cash Contribution
Industry In-Kind Contribution
Requested SFI Contribution
TOTALS
Summary of SFI Request
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REQUESTED SFI CONTRIBUTION: RESEARCH CENTRE BUDGET
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Total
Staff
Equipment
Materials
Travel
TOTALS
Breakdown of SFI Request
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REQUESTED SFI CONTRIBUTION: OPERATIONS BUDGET 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 TotalOperations Platform Research
Targeted Project 1
⁞ Targeted Project n
TOTALS
Detailed Industry Cash
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DETAILED INDUSTRY CASH CONTRIBUTION 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 TotalCompany 1 Cash Contribution
Company 2 Cash Contribution
⁞ Company n Cash Contribution
TOTALS
Detailed Industry In-kind
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DETAILED INDUSTRY IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 TotalCompany 1 in-kind Contribution
Company 2 in-kind Contribution
⁞ Company n in-kind Contribution
TOTALS
Detailed SFI Contribution
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STAFFRole 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Total
Role 1 (e.g. post-doc, PhD student, etc.)
Role 2 ⁞
Role n TOTALS
Applicant CV Template
• Lead Applicant/Co-Applicant CV Template
• Maximum of 7 pages:
• Section 1 (max. 2 pages)
• Section 2 (max. 3 pages)
• Section 3 (max. 2 page)
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Applicant CV Template (cont.)
• Section 1 - Required Details (max. 2 pages)
• Name and Contact Details.
• Career Profile.
• Most Relevant Research Funding as Lead/Co-Applicant.
• History of Mentoring and Supervision.
• Innovation/Commercialisation Activity.
• Other Information as Appropriate.
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Applicant CV Template (cont.)
•Section 2 - Publication Listing (max. 3 pages)• Full List of Publications (or up to maximum space
allowed).
• Section 3 - Research Funding History (max. 2 pages)
• List of Research Funding History (within last 5 years).
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Timeline Summary
24 February Publish call document
9 March EoI deadline
20-24 March Townhall meetings
20 April Pre-proposal deadline
11 June Invite to full proposal
10 September Full proposal deadline
15 November Invite to panel
10 Dec (week of) Panels
Late Jan 2013 SFI Board - decisions
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2012 Strategic Collaboration Development Award (SCDA) Programme
• To facilitate established academic groups to engage in an exploratory collaboration with another party, e.g. research centre, or industry, with a view to developing a significant, long–term collaboration
• Eligible groups not in position to engage in the Research Centres Programme may consider applying to SCDA – perhaps precursor to future application
• SCDA Call is now planned for Q3/Q4 2012
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SCDA 2012 (cont.)
• Funding:
• €50,000 - €200,000 (direct costs) over 6-18 months
• For applications involving an industry partner, intellectual and financial commitment is required
• Details of eligibility criteria, etc. can be found on the SFI website: http://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/closed-calls/strategic-collaborative-development-award/
• Direct queries to: [email protected]
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Questions
Further Information
• http://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/open-calls/sfi-research-centres-programme-2012/