Expression of Interest notice: The Alan Turing Institute Closing date: 30 October 2014, 16:00 Open meeting for those intending to submit: 24 September 2014 (Attendance at this meeting is a requirement for acceptance of EoIs. Registration for this meeting will close at 16:00 on Wednesday 20 August 2014) Introduction EPSRC invites expressions of interest from UK universities to join a consortium to establish an internationally recognized Institute to lead in research, education and knowledge transfer in the data sciences. Initial membership of the consortium will be considered only for universities that have submitted their Expression of Interest (EoI) through this route and will be based on the information provided through the EoI. The objective of the Institute will be to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of the analytical methods which underpin our ability to exploit publicly or privately owned large datasets ( big data ). The Alan Turing Institute will provide a national centre to promote advanced research and translational work in the application of data science and the associated computational algorithms. The UK Government has committed a total of 42 million to March 2020 (including an initial capital investment of 20 million and support for operating costs) to assist in funding the Institute. Features of the Institute The Alan Turing Institute will be a physical entity that brings together leaders in advanced mathematics and computing science for human benefit. The work of the Institute is expected to encompass a wide range of scientific disciplines and is similarly expected to be relevant to a wide range of business sectors. The Institute will be centred upon a discrete independent facility which has the potential to be used as a focal point for a wider network of national activity. There will be scope for the co-location of similar national centres where there are clear synergies and there is the potential for the national clustering of economic activity based upon big data exploitation. The Institute will employ a Director, core academic and other staff and a cohort of postdoctoral researchers and research students to engage promptly on new challenges. The Institute will also support a strong programme of research study periods for visiting and/or seconded scientists that will enable thought leaders to collaborate. It is expected that the Institute will develop into a global magnet for talent in the field. The Director will oversee the establishment of the Institute, including the necessary infrastructure that provides the analytical capability and connectivity Page 1 of 5
required for international scientific leadership in this field. The Director will also be responsible for the development, in consultation with the Joint Venture (JV) Board and its advisors, of a business plan that ensures the long term sustainability of the institute beyond the time scale of the initial funding. The Institute will be open to collaboration with all HEIs, business, and other foci for current and future UK big data investments. It will be established as an independent private sector legal entity in a Joint Venture initially extending until 31 March 2020. The JV will consist of a core group of universities (selected through a competitive process) together with the main funding agencies that include EPSRC. It will have a board with an independent chair consisting of representatives selected by the members of the JV and independent non-executive directors who will oversee the appointment of the Director The JV will not include private sector business partners in the first instance, but businesses, industry and other potential collaborators are expected to work with Institute staff on specific projects. There will also be scope for business to contribute to core funding on a philanthropic basis. Intellectual Property (IP) for projects funded from core funding will be retained by the Institute with IP generated through collaborative projects being negotiated on a case by case basis. Expectations The consortium will work through the Director to ensure that the Institute will: undertake research and knowledge sharing in the key disciplines of data science and algorithms, promoting the transfer of skills and insights as well as technologies; act as a magnet for world leaders in academia and industry to engage with the UK as a global leader; develop networks between leaders in higher education institutions, public service and business; enable researchers from industry and academia to work together to undertake outstanding research with practical applications; provide technically informed advice to policy makers on the wider implications of research and the challenges faced by business; develop networks at a national level connecting to previous investments and with future potential centres for data analysis looking to build new capacity and activities intended to encourage engagement from a range of industry sectors, to develop synergies between them, and stimulate and shape new research and promote rapid and effective knowledge exchange between research domains, business and government; provide strategic oversight and leadership and help the UK to influence the international agenda Page 2 of 5
Selection process for consortium members Expressions of interest (consisting of only the document types outlined below) from universities should be submitted to EPSRC by 16:00 on Thursday 30 October 2014. To be considered for membership of the JV Universities must: Be able to demonstrate excellence in both mathematics and computer science, especially those aspects of these disciplines most relevant to the analysis of big data Clearly express a willingness to collaborate with other universities and be able to demonstrate a successful track record of collaboration with business Be prepared to contribute a cash contribution of at least 5M to the costs of the Institute in the period between the creation of the JV and 31 March 2020. Expressions of interest should comprise only the following five, separate, documents: 1) A description, maximum 3000 words, of: the University s strengths in mathematics and computer science, particularly those that are relevant to the analysis of big data, drawing on evidence such as performance in past research assessment exercises, a description of the expertise of key staff in the relevant fields, the publications generated by key staff and their citation impact, and any other evidence that might be considered relevant any existing business links that might be built upon in the context of the new Institute, through for example, the sponsorship of new academic positions or post-graduate studentships, the funding of research projects or any other potential activities 2) A cover letter showing confirmation in writing from the University s Vice- Chancellor (or equivalent senior officer) of the willingness of the University to make a financial contribution to the Institute, including any contribution that the University may be willing to make beyond the minimum requirement specified above 3) If desired, a publication list in support of the 3000-word description above 4) Letters of support from existing or new business partners which should be directly relevant to, and informed by, the contents of the Expression of Interest 5) A brief document discussing the University s range of preferences for the physical location of what will be a national Institute, with due consideration for factors such as transport and communications links, proximity to other relevant national research centres, the potential for seeding a cluster of economic activity and any other factors considered relevant. Universities considering submitting expressions of interest should register to attend an open meeting to be held on Wednesday 24 September 2014 and Page 3 of 5
must be represented as details of how to submit an EoI will be provided only at that meeting. Please email events@epsrc.ac.uk by 16:00 on Wednesday 20 August to request places. An Event notice on the EPSRC website provides further details: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/events/turinginstituteopenmeeting/ It is intended at this meeting to discuss more details of the plans for the Institute prior to the formal submission date. These are expected to include a preliminary analysis of potential business models and Heads of Terms for engagement in the JV. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for further discussion and to raise questions. The expressions of interest will be reviewed by a group that will include an independent Chair, the CEO of EPSRC (who has overall accountability for the project), a representative from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills or their nominee, nominees of other funders if appropriate. This group will receive independent scientific advice from a number of international experts in the field of data analytics who will advise the group on the universities that are best equipped scientifically to contribute to the new Institute. The group will select the partners that it will invite for further discussion by fit to the above criteria and determine the location of the Institute following a review of the preferences submitted by those universities expressing an interest. In the event of oversubscription, a selection will be made on the basis of the scale of the financial contribution offered and the academic standing in the field. The potential JV Members will be chosen to ensure both value for money and scientific excellence. It is the intention that the decisions on the universities to be invited for further discussions will be announced in January 2015. Key dates Activity Date Open meeting 24 September 2014 Call closes 30 October 2014 Announcement of JV partners By end January 2015 JV established From 01 April 2015 (provisional) Contacts Dr Neil Viner Neil.viner@epsrc.ac.uk 01793444360 Dr Philippa Hemmings Philippa.hemmings@epsrc.ac.uk 01793 444378 Dr Alex Hulkes Alex.hulkes@epsrc.ac.uk 01793 444116 Page 4 of 5
Change log Name Date Version Change Alex Hulkes 18/7/14 1 N/A Page 5 of 5