EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  International activity across the Research Councils appears to vary considerably. There is further scope for them (or OSI) to provide seedcorn funding to further facilitate international collaborations. Support in accessing overseas research funding needs to be considered but support for EU funding collaboration is well provided for.

  1.  There is a perception that the international activities of the Research Councils varies considerably from Council to Council. In terms of funded activity, opportunities are relatively scarce. The BBRSC has a seedcorn scheme to fund embryonic international collaborations. This small-scale funding is useful for the academic community, and may be a model that other Research Councils could replicate. It should be noted that the University of Leeds is a member of the Worldwide Universities Network. Getting valuable research led collaborations such as these off the ground would be assisted enormously by a dedicated funding stream for setting up international research links.

  2.  Again, experience of Research Council activity as a bridge to overseas activity is mixed. In some areas (for example PPARC), the nature of the work is unavoidably international and as such much valuable work is undertaken directly by the Research Councils with overseas partners to facilitate access to equipment for example.

  3.  Providing substantive funding for research activity overseas varies from Research Council to Research Council. Our experience would suggest that direct funding of overseas partners is seen as problematic by Research Councils. A more nuanced approach may be appropriate where there is a real academic gain for the University and the UK as a whole—and perhaps the prospect of longer term collaborations or funding from overseas sources.

  4.  Another problematic areas is in relation to accessing international non EU funding. US funding sources are increasingly open to bids from non US based organizations. Many of the larger charities and organizations such as NIH, now treat European participation with parity. It is noticeable however, that whilst the UK is gradually increasing its share of the market, other countries (notably Canada and Australia) appear to be more successful at this time.There may be a role for Research Councils and more probably OSI in brokering relationships with these major funding organizations and UK Universities and perhaps through the organization of seminars and workshops. A physical presence in the US may be worthwhile, but encouraging these funders to visit our shores and to showcase research excellence in the UK may be of equal benefit.

  5.  The UK is very well served in relation to EU Framework Funding support. The University/Research Council sponsored UKRO (UK Research Office, Brussels) provides invaluable support and advice on Framework Funding for virtually all of UK HEI and other organizations. UKRO has recently appointed a dedicated resource to policy support for Research Councils. This is to be welcomed as a way of ensuring that RCUK become further engaged in European Funding activity—again this has varied from Research Council in the past.

  6.  Many countries within Europe receive dedicated funding to support Framework activity. This is often administered through Research Councils. Whilst some travel grant support is available which may be "shoe-horned" to support preparatory work in relation to Framework funding, there is no dedicated travel money for preparatory work pre-award. A relatively small amount of funding for travel and preparation costs would make a considerable difference.

  7.  The Framework Programme also offers the opportunity for the first time for "co-funding" of Marie Curie Fellowship activity. This will effectively provide match funding to open up existing Fellowship Schemes to a wider (international) client base. It is suggested that there are obvious opportunities here (perhaps with a co-ordinating role from OSI, which is the programme committee member for Marie Curie) to use this as an opportunity to increase the number of talented overseas researchers choosing to work in the UK. It is not clear what preparatory work is on-going to kick-start this initiative at present.

April 2007