BBSRC-LEAF Science Activity Competition

BBSRC researchers are invited to design and produce engaging farm-related bioscience activities for use by farmers and visiting scientists at LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday on 5 June 2016.

Read article HERE

Open Farm Sunday, managed by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), is the farming industry’s annual open day where the public can find out how their food is produced and the work farmers do to manage the countryside. Since 2006, over 1000 farmers across the UK have opened their gates thanks to LEAF, welcoming over 1.5M people onto their farms.

BBSRC is making £17,000 available to develop up to 10 agricultural science activities that inspire and educate people about the science behind farming and food production; highlighting the importance of farming in the context of food security.

The resources will be available for farmers and visiting researchers at Open Farm Sunday on 5 June 2016, and may also be used as curriculum targeted school resources. Activities must be on topic, understandable and easy for farmers to implement on their land.

The closing date for applications is 6 December 2015.

For more information, and details on how to apply visit: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/opportunities/2015/leaf-open-farm-sunday-call-science-activity-resources/

For more information on LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday visit: www.farmsunday.org

 

Crossing Biological Membranes Network – Public Engagement Grants

CaptureCBMNet public engagement grants are for projects that encourage the public to explore industrial biotechnology, its impact on society and culture, its historical roots or the ethical questions that it raises. This scheme is open to all CBMNet members and each grant is up to £500.

University of Birmingham joins RCUK Catalysts for Public Engagement with Research to deliver culture change

The University of Birmingham is thrilled to have been successfully awarded the Research Councils UK Public Engagement with Research Catalyst Seed Fund (CSF).

Building on the successes and momentum generated by the Catalyst funding and the Beacons for Public Engagement initiative, this new funding will help to catalyse change by ensuring that engaging the public becomes an integral part of the research process. Specifically, the CSF will provide flexible funding directly to higher education institutions to help create a culture where excellent public engagement with research is better embedded within the institution and appropriately included within its policies, procedures and practices.

University of Birmingham is among ten universities (listed below with their Principal Investigators) that will each receive £65,000 funding for public engagement activities over the next 12 months:

  • University of Birmingham: Professor Michael Whitby
  • University of Cambridge: Professor Lynn Gladden
  • University of Glasgow: Professor Jonathan Cooper
  • Imperial College London: Professor Maggie Dallman
  • King’s College London: Mr Chris Mottershead
  • University of Leeds: Professor David Hogg
  • University of Liverpool: Professor Dinah Birch
  • University of Oxford: Professor Ian Walmsley
  • University of Southampton: Professor Judith Petts
  • University of Warwick: Professor Pam Thomas

Professor John Womersley, RCUK’s Champion for Public Engagement with Research and Chief Executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), said: “Public engagement is an integral part of research and improves both its quality and impact. We know that researchers are more likely to participate in public engagement if they have the support of their institution. This Catalyst Seed Funding will support infrastructure and cultural change within the funded universities and help researchers to engage with schools and the wider community.”

Info courtesy of RCUK: http://bit.ly/1F0qzgx

PERC would like to thank RCUK for it’s generous investment and encouragement. More details of the proposal outlined in the RCUK bid will be divulged shortly.

Alexander Fleming dissemination scheme

CaptureDeadline – 30th September 2015

The Medical Research Foundation invites applications for grants from the Alexander Fleming dissemination scheme. This scheme provides funding to support the dissemination of MRC and Medical Research Foundation-funded research results beyond the scientific peer reviewed press, to patients, participants, practitioners and policymakers.

Biochemical Society – Scientific Outreach Grants

Deadline – 25th September 2015

The Society wishes to support scientific outreach activities that communicate the excitement of molecular bioscience to young people and the community. Applications are invited for sums up to £1000 to assist with the direct costs associated with an event and expenses incurred (e.g. transport and/or teacher cover).

‘Work-Life Balance’ in the Digital Age: Funding for networking events

epsrclogoClosing date – 15th September 2015

The EPSRC-funded Balance Network aims to link academics with business, policy and user groups interested in the role that digital technologies are playing in (re)shaping our work and home lives. We are now inviting applications for the funding of events which further these aims, and which will form part of the network’s programme of activities between November 2015 and April 2016.