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: SCDA@sfi.ie

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Questions

Further Information

• centres@sfi.ie

• http://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/open-calls/sfi-research-centres-programme-2012/