SFI Research Centres Programme 2013
Research Centres Programme Team Pre ‐ Award Post ‐ Award Steve Flinter Elena Martines Siobhan Roche Stephen O’Driscoll Orla O’Neill Lisa Higgins Marion Boland Aine Duffy
Overview of Research Centres 2013 Programme
SFI Funding Programmes Conferences & Recruitment Workshops International Industry Fellowships Collaboration
Objectives of SFI Centres Programme Achieve, maintain and enhance research excellence and leadership Deliver significant economic and societal impact Increase the level of industrial and commercial investment in R&D activities with existing Ireland-based companies Attract large FDI investments in corporate R&D centres Spin-out new, high-tech start-ups Transfer technology & expertise to Irish-based MNCs & SMEs Undertake joint research projects with industry Educate next generation of engineers & scientists for Irish MNCs & SMEs Leveraging of non-Exchequer funding
Expectations Have an edge over competing activities worldwide • Clearly demonstrate added value of being funded as a • Centre Internationally renowned Director • Contribute to development of a vibrant Research Centre • ecosystem bringing together leading research groups and Centres nationally
2012 SFI Centres 2012 programme invested in 7 Research Centres Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (AMBER) Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) Institute of Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT) Irish Photonic Integration Research Centre (I-PIC) Ireland’s Big Data and Analytics Research Centre (INSIGHT) Marine Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI) Synthesis & Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) €200m from SFI, €100m from over 150 industrial partners Funded consortia are typically made up of many (or all) of the leading researchers in the country in a particular discipline Largest single investment in scientific research projects and largest public / private research partnership to date in Ireland
Key Changes to 2013 Call Application Process • • No Expression of Interest stage • Advance submission of title and abstract mandatory • Proposal submission via SESAME • Changes to eligibility criteria • Minor changes to application form Review Process • • Pre-proposal evaluation by combined scientific and impact panel
Programme Remit SFI legal remit • To build & strengthen scientific and engineering research and • infrastructure in areas of greatest strategic value to Ireland's long-term competitiveness and development Defined thematic areas (10) • Applications must clearly align with both •
Selection of Themes Sectors of importance to the Irish economy • • National Research Prioritisation • Emerging areas where Ireland has an opportunity to lead SFI portfolio analysis • Gaps identified from Research Centres mapping exercise • SFI’s strategy as defined in Agenda 2020 • Areas of focus from the Action Plan for Jobs • Potential areas of focus for Horizon 2020 • Relevance to sister agency/dept. strategy • Research for Ireland’s Future
Thematic Areas Future networks and communications (A) Digital platforms, content and applications (C) Medical devices (E) Diagnostics (F) Sustainable food production and processing (I) Smart grids and smart cities (K) Manufacturing competitiveness (L) Software (PST) Geosciences underpinning sustainable economic development Earth & ocean observation Research for Ireland’s Future
http://www.sfi.ie/assets/media/files/downloads/Funding/Funding%20Calls/centres/Research%20Centres%202013%20Thematic%20Areas.pdf
Research Centre Structure Hub & spoke model Spoke Hub • • Core operations (20%) • Platform research (30%) Spokes • • Thematically related targeted projects • Each targeted project with at least one industry partner
Funding • SFI contribution max 70% • €1-5M per annum (direct costs) over duration of six years • Can exceed limit subject to matched funding and SFI pre-approval • Min 30% industry contribution overall • Min 10% industry cash • Balance of industry contribution in-kind • Must maintain min. 30% cost-share on an on-going basis • Budget available for funding of 2-3 Centres in 2014 • Possibility of funding of additional Centres in 2015
Industry Partner Engagement Each targeted project must involve at least 1 industry • partner Expectation of mix of large and small companies • Profile should align to particular research agenda of • Centre and industry sector Non-Irish based companies can participate but direct • benefit to Ireland must be clearly demonstrated Semi-state bodies eligible as industry partner • Government agencies, charities or other not-for-profit • entities not eligible as industry partner
Intellectual Property Management Must be in accordance to the national guidelines • Targeted projects • RPO ownership is preferred option for jointly developed IP • IP licensed to industry partner on preferential terms • For preferential access, industry partner must contribute at least 30% • of full cost of project (min 10% cash) prior to project commencing Contracts and IP agreements must be executed within 90 days • of Research Centre start date Empowering TTOs to pursue most advantageous commercial • route http://www.sfi.ie/funding/grant-policies/intellectual-property-management-guidelines.html
Programme Structure Pre-proposal application • • Review by combined scientific and impact panel • Scientific quality and impact potential equally weighted Invitation to submit full proposal • • Postal review (scientific evaluation only) • Applicant response • Proposals demonstrating scientific excellence will progress • Impact panel evaluation • List of fundable proposals ranked in order of priority for funding
Evaluation criteria Team • Quality, significance, and relevance of the recent research record of the lead and co-applicants • and the strength and cohesiveness of the applicant group, including likely synergy in delivering research and potential for international leadership Science • Quality, significance, and relevance of the proposed research, including value for money and the • potential to advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields Potential for impact • Quality, significance, and relevance of the proposed research’s potential contribution to • demonstrably support and underpin enterprise competitiveness and societal development in Ireland Execution & Delivery • Quality of plans for execution and delivery of the research programme and Centre goals, • including the appropriateness of the proposed milestones and deliverables (specific to evaluation of full proposal applications)
Eligibility Applicant group • • Lead applicant (Director) and 2-9 co-applicants • Min of 10 senior author publications each • Hold at least 1 independent research grant each • Secured min. €10m combined research funding 2007-2013 Lead applicant can only be named on 1 application • Co-applicant can be named on up to 2 applications • 2012 Research Centre • • Directors not eligible to apply as lead or co-applicant • Co-investigators eligible to apply as co-applicant or FI Requirement to strongly justify substantial role in • more than 1 Centre
Research Centre Network Connected bids to 2013 call • • Overlapping Spoke or Targeted Project between 2 applications • Include full description and budget within both proposals • Will be reviewed independently at full proposal stage • If both funded, SFI will decide where Spoke will reside Connect up to 2012 Research Centre • • Submit application to Spokes programme directly or • Co-investigator or funded investigator of 2012 Centre can engage in a prominent role within 2013 bid
Large or Small? • SFI expects to fund a range of Centre sizes • We want to fund centres that have ambition and growth potential • Small and excellent better than large and mediocre • It may be more appropriate to be a spoke in a larger centre
Key weaknesses in 2012 Proposals Not all members of applicant group were internationally • competitive Case for need for Centre funding not clearly made • Ability of Centre to compete internationally questioned • • Scope too broad • Lacking in critical mass • Unique aspects of proposed Centre unclear Failure to demonstrate strong potential for delivery of • economic impact to Ireland • Poorly developed business plan • Collaborative nature of partnership with industry unclear
Application Procedure
Abstract Sheet Require submission of abstract sheet by 25 th October 2013, 13:00 • GMT Abstract sheet will be used by SFI staff as part of our proposal • management process Abstract sheet: • Thematic area • Research Area • Title of Proposal • Host Institution • Applicant name • Scientific abstract (max. 200 words) • Template (MS ‐ Word) can be downloaded from SFI website • Lead applicant should submit to centres@sfi.ie with subject line • “SFI Research Centres Abstract Sheet”
Application Submission ‐ SESAME SFI STAFF SESAME RESEARCHERS REVIEWERS https://grants.sfi.ie RESEARCH BODY
Recommend
More recommend
