Nuclear Physics Grants and Application Process 08/09 S.J.Freeman University of Manchester Chair of STFC NPGP SG Guidelines and Applications TG Guidelines and Applications Opportunity for questions and discussion

“Exploitation”“Construction” “STRATEGY” “Facility Users” Standard Grants Rolling Grants Travel Grants Project R&D Grants PRD Project Grants Physical and Life Sciences Committee PALS Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics Science Committee PPAN Projects Peer- Review Panel PPRP Nuclear Physics Grants Panel NPGP SCIENCE BOARD EXECUTIVE “PEER REVIEW”

Nuclear Physics Grants Panel : Prof Sean Freeman (Manchester) - Chair - NS/E Prof Alison Bruce (Brighton) - NS/E Prof Martin Freer (Birmingham) - NS/E Dr Dave Ireland (Glasgow) - QCD/E Dr Alex Murphy (Edinburgh) - NA/E Prof Bob Wadsworth (York) - NS/E Prof Phil Walker (Surrey) -NS/E plus two new members (one external) E = Experiment T = Theory QCD = Hadron Physics NS = Nuclear Structure NA = Nuclear Astrophysics

SG Funding Opportunities/Constraints Expectation that STFC will award 4-6 SG in the 2008/09 Grant Round. STANDARD GRANTS (SG):  compared to rolling exploitation programmes, SG are generally shorter- term, well-defined projects.  project-specific equipment, consumables, academic time, PDRA posts, studentships and T&S.  visiting fellows (VF) may be stand alone or part of a SG  no formal limits on duration, but typically three years

STANDARD GRANTS (SG) continued:  Can be multi-institutional: one case, several JeS.  Can use RG staff or cross-community posts: must be clearly identified and FTE levels given in case.  No support for running conferences and short courses via SG (see Katharine for funding methods).

Application Procedures In general similar to SG Applications in 07/08, but some differences and some comments.  Scientific case within FOUR sides of A4.  Staff time (academic, PDRA etc.) needs properly justifying in terms of the specific activity on the project; biographies are not sufficient. ½ side of A4 per post.  Project studentships require proper justification in terms of their influence on the potential research outcomes of the grant and a specific thesis project must be identified.  Non-staff resources need justifying in TWO sides of A4. For stand-alone VF requests, a short description of scientific aims and objectives and justification of costs is required. For all VF applications, a CV of the visitor is needed.

Publication Records Provide summary statistics, as before, of peer-reviewed publications and technical reports: no conference proceedings, other than IEEE/NIMS under Technical Reports. In addition, for each investigator, a full list of publications from calendar years (05-08) with titles, full author lists as appear in journal, and reference….these are easily compiled using Web of Science or Nuclear Structure References. Outreach and KE Plans need demonstrating, as in 07/08 Round.

STFC Assessment Criteria CATEGORY 1: Absolute pre-requisite, without which an application will not be considered for funding: Scientific Excellence International Competitiveness Strategic value within STFC programme CATEGORY 2: Supporting evidence which increases the confidence in a successful outcome: Productivity of investigators Productivity of grant supported staff Quality of leadership/management Suitability of institution/group CATEGORY 3: Important additional criteria the opportunities and plans for which must be addressed in the application: Potential for knowledge exchange Quality of outreach plan STRATEGY INPUT STFC strategy will develop during the Grant Round; NPGP will to react to this. Community strategy and consultation report exist. Scientific excellence AND international competitiveness are still absolute demands on a successful proposal, whether an application is high or low priority in the Strategy. NB: Advisory Board nominations close 30th September.

Submission and post-submission processes Deadline: Thursday 13th November 4pm Referees: Electronic process with opportunity to respond. Clarification: No formal meetings, but Panel members may solicit more information via the Office by . Outcomes: ALL communication on results of process will done through the Office. Feedback will be given in consultation with the NPGP, but individual NPGP members will not enter into discussion of grant outcomes. Approval Process: NPGP recommendations are submitted for approval by the Executive. Announcements: Likely in May/June Earliest start dates likely June/July 2009.

TG Funding Opportunities/Constraints Expectation that sufficient funding to cover the T&S estimate from community consultation. Reduced costs may increase availability of TG or SG funding. TRAVEL GRANTS (TG):  to provide essential short-term travel and related support for experimental and theoretical programmes, where funding does not currently exist elsewhere.  for experimental travel, only experiments which have been peer-reviewed by PAC, or similar committee, will be accepted.  for theoretical travel, analogous support is available for time-critical research activity.  applications will be considered up to November 2009, in the first instance, after which the operation will be reviewed.

TG Funding Opportunities/Constraints TRAVEL GRANTS (TG) continued:  Themes funded in the 07/08 round will not be considered.  Experimental applications should be made as soon as the experiment is scheduled.  Any essential costs will be considered.  Could include: T&S, consumables, running costs, academic time and fEC costs (but see note on previous slide).  Expectation that all requested costs will be very close to actual expense.  PDRA posts and studentships will not be supported.  All academics requesting travel funds must normally be named on the PAC proposal.  Any unusual circumstances/issues inquiries via the Office

TG Applications The experimental proposal to the relevant PAC should be provided as the Case for Support. For theoretical travel, a short case (~two sides A4) should be submitted describing the work undertaken and why it is time critical and essential to travel. Applicants should justify all requested resources within one side of A4. Evidence of scheduling (e.g. relevant ) should be submitted with the application.

TG Process and Time Scales Light-touch peer-review will be carried out, making judgments on the basis of the Category 1 STFC Assessment Criteria, but cost effectiveness will be an important additional factor. Level of resources may be adjusted. Every effort will be made to make decisions as quickly as possible, normally on a two/three week timescale. But travel made prior to a decision is at the applicants’ risk.

Questions and Comments on RG, SG and TG Procedures?

Subsequent Questions and Queries via the STFC Office: Dr Katharine Schofield Nuclear Physics Programme The Science and Technology Facilities Council Polaris House North Star Avenue Swindon SN2 1SZ, UK Tel: (+44)