introductiontobbsrc.pptx - nottingham trent slides

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An Introduction to BBSRC & Current Funding Opportunities

Dr Jo O’Leary

Science Delivery Manager

Research Innovation and Skills Directorate

University of Leicester

23 June 2010

Overview

• Introduction to BBSRC

• BBSRC’s Strategy and Priorities

• BBSRC Grant Funding and Peer Review

• BBSRC Studentships

• University of Leicester Funding

• Current Funding Opportunities

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Research Councils UK

• Strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils

• Combined budget of £3.4 billion in 2010/11

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Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Our Mission (Royal Charter) is:• to support high-class science and

research training, and to promote knowledge transfer

• in support of bio-based industries

and public engagement in bioscience.

BBSRC funding totals around £450M p.a. (09/10)

STAKEHOLDERS

ACADEMIA INDUSTRY

PUBLICGOVERNMENT







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Cross-Government Grand Challenges

• Environmental Change– Food Security– Bioenergy

• The Science of Life – Healthy Ageing– Diet and Health

• Tools and technologies, including software– Importance of new techniques– Virtualisation of science– Distributed information and

modelling

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Delivery of Multidisciplinary Cross-Council Programmes

• Food Security

• Bioenergy

• Living with Environmental Change

• Ageing

• Global Threats to Security

• Bio-nanotechnology

• (Digital Economy)

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BBSRC Strategic Planning Documents

Vision

10 years

Practical delivery

3 years5 years

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BBSRC’s New Strategic Plan 2010 - 2015

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BBSRC Strategy

Formulation Refreshment

Strategy Advisory Boardand Strategy Panels

Delivery Committees

Membership and Agenda for Strategy Advisory Board and Strategy Panels will be on the BBSRC website

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BBSRC Priorities

• Historically, multiple priorities covering everything

• Restructured to enable Excellence with Impact

• Now fewer priorities

• BBSRC-wide priorities

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BBSRC Priorities 2008-2011

Research Priorities

• Ageing Research: Lifelong Health and Wellbeing

• Animal Health • Bioenergy• Crop Science (Food Security)• Global Security• Living with Environmental Change• Nanoscience Through Engineering

to Application: Bionanotechnology• Synthetic Biology• Systems Approach to Biological

Research• Technology Development for

Bioscience

Policy Priorities

• Economic and Social Impact• Impact on Public Policy• Increased International

Collaboration• Replacement, Refinement and

Reduction (3Rs) in Research Using Animals

• Welfare of Managed Animals (including Livestock and Companion Animals)

Details of all these are

on the BBSRC website

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Food Security

• Greater agricultural yields

• with fewer inputs of nutrients and water

• in the face of competing demands for land use

• and in the face of continuing threats of diseases of both plants and animals, and with a need for microbiological and nutritional safety

“when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food

preferences for an active and healthy life”

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Examples of BBSRC Food Security Work

• Rinderpest– Close to global eradication– estimated to benefit Africa by over

$1 billion annually

• Striga (Witchweed)– BBSRC research has lead to

management and reduction of striga weed

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Bioenergy

• BBSRC Bioenergy Review 2006

• Centre for Sustainable Bioenergy Research (launched in 2009)

• Multi-disciplinary and systems approaches

• International collaboration through SysMo

New Biofuel?Clostridium

Courtesy of Nigel Minton

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Systems Biology

• Emerging research area• Predictive models of biological

systems (pathways, cells, organs, organisms, ecosystems)

• Iterative cycles of modelling (dry) and biological (wet) experiments

• 6 BBSRC Centres established (2005/06) and 6 SABR grants (2006/07)

• International collaboration– ERASysBio (11 EU partners)– BBSRC:ANR (Fr)

• Need for improved technology from bioscience community

• Multi-disciplinary (biosciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer sciences)

• Engagement with industry, potential for spin-out

Technology Development for the Biosciences

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• Emerging area at intersection of biosciences and engineering

• BBSRC-led UK Research Councils initiative to form networks to address Science and Engineering, Ethical, Legal, Societal Impacts

• Need to form interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary partnerships

• European Union – Transnational Roadmap for Synthetic Biology

Synthetic Biology

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Key Messages

• Responsive Mode is the major vehicle to deliver our priorities

• We need to deliver more inter-disciplinary and strategically focussed science with greater impact

• We must deliver excellence science with demonstrable impacts

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The Funding Cycle Partnership

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Excellence with Impact

• What do we mean?

• Excellent science• Strategic focus• Capturing outputs• Demonstrate benefit

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Examples of high impact projects

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Bluetongue research at BBSRC’s Institutefor Animal Health saves £485M in 2008through prevention of outbreaks, andprotected 10,000 jobs

Tools and models which reduce leaching of nitrate from farmland by 38%

Food safety: improving techniques to chill foods; extended shelf life; reduced food poisoning contribute > £100M pa to the economy

Pathways to Impact

What is impact?

• RCUK recognises that the research we fund has both academic, and economic and societal impacts.

• The potential to maximise both of these is assessed within peer review process– Academic impact: Academic beneficiaries and case for support

– Economic/societal impact: Impact summary and Pathways to Impact

Pathways to Impact?

• Changing name of ‘Impact plans’ to clarify their purpose

• Not changing the purpose

• ‘Pathways to Impact’ chosen to reflect that we want applicants to explore ways to enhance potential impact, not predict impact

What is economic and societal impact?

• The demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy by:

– Fostering global economic performance, and specifically the economic competitiveness of the UK

– Increasing the effectiveness of public services and policy– Enhancing quality of life, health and creative output

RCUK is committed to excellence with impact

• This means continuing to invest in the best research, people and infrastructure; whilst aiming to enhance the impact of that funding on society.

Why are we asking you to explore Pathways to Impact?

• Asking applicants to consider activities to enhance economic and societal impact is not new

• We know that the research we fund has a huge impact on the wellbeing and economy of the UK

• Recent changes help emphasise the importance we place on this and ensure that potential impacts are demonstrated and supported

• Also ensures common format for capturing and assessing this information across different Research Councils

What do I need to write in my application?

• Academic beneficiaries – Should cover potential academic impact and pathways towards

realising that.

• Impact summary – Should cover potential economic and societal impact and seek

to answer two questions:• Who might benefit from this research?• How might they benefit from this research?

• Pathways to Impact– Should detail the activities which will help develop potential

economic and societal impact, answering the question:• What will be done to ensure that potential beneficiaries have the

opportunity to benefit from this research?

What exactly should I write?

• Activities outlined in the Pathways to Impact should be – Project specific

– Appropriate

• For more guidance see individual Research Council websites. – From April www.rcuk.ac.uk/pathwaystoimpact

Will Pathways to Impact affect the funding decision?

• Yes they could

• The primary criterion is still excellent research

• Beyond that, a number of considerations– Of which Pathways to Impact is one

• Likely to affect decisions for example…– At the borderline– Where there is a clear need for user engagement

What if my research is assessed as excellent but my Pathways to Impact are deemed unsuitable?

• BBSRC reserves the right to withhold the award of grant until Pathways to Impact are of a standard appropriate for the project.

What if my Pathways to Impact are assessed as excellent but my research is deemed unsuitable?

• Excellent research remains the primary criterion, you will not be funded.

How does Pathways to Impact assessment compare with REF considerations?

• We share a common understanding on the description of economic and societal impact.

• The REF aims to assess impact which has been achieved.

• The BBSRC peer review process is not trying to assess impact. It is designed to explore the potential for impact by considering potential beneficiaries from the outset.

• RCUK undertake impact evaluations, but this is a separate exercise, and they are done retrospectively.

Can I request resources to fund the activities detailed in my Pathways to Impact?

• Yes, all Research Councils provide resources to enable impact generating activities.

• Applicants may request resources to cover the costs of eligible, project specific activity within their Pathways to Impact, unless applying via STFC where separate funding schemes for impact should be used







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Responsive Mode Must Deliver:

• Excellent science• Basic, strategic and applied research• Impact• Strategic priorities• Interdisciplinary science• Grants of all sizes e.g. LoLas• Hypothesis- and non-hypothesis-driven research

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To Clarify

• If there is no hypothesis it can be fundable • Applied research can be excellent research• We fund technology, resources and databases

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Fundamental Research

Responsive Mode Research

Blue Skies Research= =

Research Committees

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bioenergy

environmental biotechnology

evolutionary biology

population biology

genome analysis

applied plant science

soil sciencebasic plant science

agricultural systems

basic microbiology

environmental change

applied microbiology

crop science

ageing

immunology

drug delivery

tissue engineering

synthetic biology

3Rs

bioinformatics

animal welfare

animal physiology

animal disease

behaviour

diet & health

food borne pathogens

developmental biology

neuroscience

molecular biology

biochemistry

metabolic engineering

enzymology/biocatalysis

structural biology

chemical biology

cell cycle

recombination

gene action & regulation

cell biology

mathematical tools for biology

bioprocessing

biotechnologyfood technology

bionanotechnologybiomaterials

bioinformatic toolsbioimaging

methods development

technologydevelopment

biophysics

biological chemistry

genetics/genomics

systemsbiology

Stem Cells

CD

A B

A: Animal Systems, Health & Wellbeing

B: Plants, Microbes, Food & Sustainability

D: Molecules, Cells & Industrial Biotechnology

C: Technological & Methodological Development

CHAIRDeputyCHAIR

Research Committee Membership

POOL

CORE

To serve on BBSRC Committees• Check BBSRC website• Subscribe to our monthly alert for opportunities to apply

Criteria for Peer Review

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Scientific Excellence

Economic and Social Impact

Cost Effectiveness

Investment in People & Skills

Timeliness and Promise

Industrial/Stakeholder Relevance

Relevance to BBSRC Strategy

Animal Usage

Ethical & Social Concerns

Data Sharing

Impact

The Peer Review Principles

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Recommendation

Application via JeS

Assessment by Referees

Response to Referees

Assessment by Committee

Committee Input into Strategy

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Responsive Mode Proposals

&Reported Outputs

Assessment

CouncilStrategy Advisory Board

Strategy Panels

Strategy Development

Evidenced Based Input

Responsive Mode Schemes

• New Investigator Award– early-career researchers [email protected]

• Industrial Partnership Award– must have at least 10% of the full economic cost of the project

(cash only) [email protected]

• Applications in these schemes receive an uplift in the rankings - significant increase in likelihood of funding

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mailto:[email protected]


Highlight Notices

• Will Deliver Timely Strategic Focus

• Relate to BBSRC Strategic Aims

• Time-limited

• Focused

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Strategic LoLas

• Run on an annual call – next call expected Spring 2011• Applications must be over £2M FEC and up to 5 years in duration

• Support research projects requiring "big" science approaches: longer timescales, intensive resources or multidisciplinary approach

• 2 stage application process via Je-S– Outline– Full proposal

• All applications must address BBSRC's strategic priority areas – Ensure scientific excellence – Focus on the impact and quality of the research team

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Simple pre-submission checks

• Is your Institution eligible?• Is the research within BBSRC’s remit?• Which research committee?• Is it a resubmission?• Are the PI/ Co-Is eligible?• Has all the paperwork been done and submitted

correctly?• Are the fEC costs correctly inputted to the form?

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Make the case properly

• A worthwhile and reasoned aim: what, why, how• Appropriate, measurable, achievable objectives with

realistic timelines• Well-written, concise, & well-presented• Supported: evidence of skills, knowledge, preliminary

data, etc• Risks and contingencies• Context: awareness/appreciation of current activity• Justify costs, related to case. Get the costs checked –

appropriate admin help needed• Think about impacts: say what will be done to address

them - links and contacts

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Help is at Hand

• Talk to us:– Prior to submission - submit 1-2 page research

summary– After submission - read the feedback

• Help the Office by:– Explaining your science (to intelligent non-experts)– Peer reviewing (refereeing) when asked– Reading the Je-S guidance notes and BBSRC grants

guide– Treating the Office staff with respect

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www Studentships

Training highly-skilled scientists

• BBSRC supports over 2000 postgraduate students

• One third trained in collaboration with industry (CASE)

• Additional training provided in “transferable skills”

• Over 30% PhD students take immediate employment in private sector

• Addressing skills needs e.g. bioprocessing, in vivo physiology, mathematical biology

• ‘Skills and Training’ positioned under Economic Impact

• Warry Report: “.. the output of highly educated people rather than research results is widely regarded as the most effective knowledge transfer mechanism.”

Previous (2007-08) 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Studentships £42.0M £43.7M £47.0M £51.1M

Fellowships £5.3M £6.7M £8.9M £10.5M

Delivery Plan 2008-2011

Training highly-skilled scientistsA significant investment

Investment in People (08-09)

BBSRC funded Postdocs (approx.

spend)£150M

Fellowships (£6.7M)

Studentships (£43.7M)

BBSRC funds around 2200 PhD students and 1900 postdocs at any one time

• TAC responsible for assessment and monitoring of studentship and fellowship funding:

– Membership includes academics and industrialists– Departmental Visits– Monitors progress of BBSRC Fellows– Members act as Mentors for BBSRC David Philips Fellows– Chaired by Professor Ian Roberts (Manchester)

Training Awards Committee (TAC)

• BSC advises on the wider agenda now facing BBSRC’s strategy for investment in skills and careers

– Membership includes representatives from all other Strategy Panels

– A more integrated approach to developing training strategy– Thinking about the broad economic and social impact of trained

people in research and research related careers– Chaired by Professor Ottoline Leyser CBE FRS

• Met for the first time 26 January 2009

Bioscience Skills & Careers Strategy Panel (BSC)

• Part of the 2007 Quota competition was to ask departments about their processes for using DTG flexibility

• Processes need to take account of BBSRC priorities in selecting supervisors and studentship proposals

• Vital element of Quota DTG approach is that this flexibility is used strategically – also responding to local research skill needs and needs of industrial collaborators

• CASE requirement in Quota awards: 25% of studentships need to be CASE

Strategic use of Quota DTGs

Core Bioscience Skills Areas

• Introduced as part of the 2007 Quota DTG competition

• We expect all Quota DTG funded PhD programmes from October 2009 to provide students with a range of core bioscience skills

• We do not wish to be prescriptive on the level of training needed, but all students need to have some exposure to these

Core Bioscience Skills Areas

Three groups of core skills for bioscientists:

• Mathematical skills • Computational and data handling skills; • Multi-disciplinary approaches to biological systems

• Public engagement and outreach opportunities • Ethical awareness training • Awareness of the social context of biological research

• Commercial awareness • Business and management skills • Entrepreneurial awareness

• Annual Competition with proposals submitted by companies or by academic partner

– 88 four-year studentships available again this year– Double the number available in the 2006 competition

• Individual projects specified– Training Awards Committee reviews projects to

ensure that they offer appropriate training vehicle to the student

– Research training has to be robust and genuinely collaborative

• Deadline 4pm, 28 July 2010

Annual Industrial CASE competition 2010






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General Trends in Funding

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BBSRC funding at University of Leicester

• Success rates for responsive mode and initiatives

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2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9

Funded

Not funded

Success by value (£k) %

8

24

25

8

19

30

11

17

39

2

22

8






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Application Closing dates

• Responsive Mode– 23 June 2010 - TODAY– 6 October 2010

• Fellowships– Next call TBC

• Studentships– Next call TBC

• International Schemes– Next call September 2010

• Business and Innovation Schemes– See Donald’s talk

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Useful email contacts

• BBSRC remit queries [email protected]

• Specific queries about responsive mode applications:– Research Committee A [email protected]– Research Committee B [email protected]– Research Committee C [email protected]– Research Committee D [email protected]

• Help with JeS [email protected]

• Details on Science Outreach Visits [email protected]

• Dr Jo O’Leary Jo.O’[email protected]

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mailto:Jo.O'[email protected]

introductiontobbsrc.pptx - nottingham trent slides

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