The British Council is pleased to announce the Second Call for Proposals under the Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership.
This Call for Proposals should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines for Applicants. Applications are made by completing the application form and submitting to us by e-mail only.
Deadline: 11 April 2010
 |
 |
|
This bilateral scheme was jointly launched by the British and Israeli Prime Ministers in 2008. |
|
|
|
The aim of the scheme is to strengthen academic cooperation between universities in the UK and Israel through the awarding of grants for joint research in all areas of science. |
For the second year of the scheme we are seeking innovative proposals for scientific research on .
Sustainable Energy - research that addresses the challenges of responding to increasing energy demands and the need for secure and sustainable energy supplies whilst mitigating against the negative impacts of production and countering the threat of climate change; research can include (but is not limited to)
|
|
|
renewable energy |
|
|
|
new technology in power generation |
|
|
|
low carbon alternatives to fossil fuels, ‘green’ energy |
|
|
|
energy demand reduction |
|
|
|
transport and energy use |
|
|
|
energy policy, geo-political impacts |
Sustainable Environment - research that addresses the challenges of living with and adapting to environmental change brought on by rapid population and economic growth and leading to severe weather, biodiversity loss, and pressure on ecosystems and services that impact upon social and economic well-being; research can include (but is not limited to)
|
|
|
increased resilience to, and reduced economic costs of, environmental change |
|
|
|
sustainable management and protection of ecosystem services (clean air, fresh water, healthy soils etc). |
|
|
|
improved food security promoting sustainable and secure supply, minimising negative environmental impacts of food production |
|
|
|
sustainable planning and design of built environments to meet future challenges |
|
|
|
horizon scanning for informed policy making and compliance |
We also welcome proposals for research in NanoScience and NanoTechnology with applications relevant to Energy and Environment
|
|
|
The scheme will enable scientists in both countries to carry out distinct pieces of collaborative research for wider dissemination and societal benefit. |
|
|
|
Applications are sought from research teams who can demonstrate that they are developing an important and innovative line of research in relation to this year’s subject focus with the potential to make a significant difference in their field or across disciplines. |
|
|
|
Successful applications must demonstrate scientific excellence in terms of the quality of research methodology and the approach to partnership. |
|
|
|
The active involvement of more experienced scientists working with younger scientists is encouraged. |
Grant for research teams to Implement Joint Research – £30,000 limit (inclusive of VAT) for a specific piece of collaborative research
Work should begin within 3 months of the award being granted.
The grant is for a maximum period of 12 months.
Grants will not be made retrospectively; this means that the work for which support is requested must not have commenced before the award is announced.
Applications will only be considered for joint research projects involving British and Israeli universities (or university-affiliated research institutes).
Proposals must clearly show the bi-lateral nature of the cooperation and applicants from the participating institutions should submit their proposals jointly, in English.
Applications should clearly identify a main applicant i.e. the coordinating university and a named individual from that institution who will take the lead in managing the application and any resulting grant.
Applications must be endorsed by senior authorised personnel at both participating institutions i.e. Deans of Faculty in UK and University Research Authority in Israel.
Applications should indicate:
|
|
|
How the proposed research collaboration will strengthen academic links and improve understanding. |
|
|
|
How sustainability will be developed beyond the period of proposed research collaboration |
|
|
|
What commitment and importance the participating institutions attach to the proposed research collaboration. |
The scheme is open to all academics and researchers who fulfil the criteria below:
|
|
|
Applicants must be British or Israeli nationals or resident in UK or Israel for at least 2 years |
|
|
|
Participants must be employed by a recognised university (or research institute linked to a university) in the UK and Israel |
|
|
|
Applicants must have postdoctoral level or equivalent status at the time of the application |
Applications will be assessed by an Academic Selection Board made up of scientific experts from the UK and Israel according to the following criteria:
|
|
|
Relevance to the subject theme of the Call for Proposals |
|
|
|
Innovation / originality of proposed research |
|
|
|
Quality of scientific content and delivery plan of the proposed research |
|
|
|
Expertise of applicants in relation to proposed research |
|
|
|
Quality and nature of partnership i.e. level of cooperation and extent to which it “adds value” |
|
|
|
Potential for longer-term sustainability beyond the period of the proposed research |
Applications will also be assessed to see how they:
|
|
|
Comply with Guidelines for Applicants and the relevant Application Form instructions |
|
|
|
Plus the extent to which the proposed research meets the overarching aims of scheme |
Completed applications should be e-mailed to: science@britishcouncil.org.il
Deadline: 11 April 2010
The British Council undertakes to:
|
|
|
Acknowledge receipt of application |
|
|
|
Announce final results in September 2010 |
The Pears Foundation, UK
UJIA, UK
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) UK
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), UK
Ministry of Science and Technology, Israel
The scheme is managed by the British Council.
| 
