INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS The Newton Fund The Newton Fund is part of the UK Government s commitment to overseas aid. The primary aim is to establish science and innovation partnerships that promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries. To achieve this, joint programmes will be designed and delivered in partnership with funding partners in each country. The fund is 75 million each year from 2014 for 5 years. It is anticipated that the UK funding will lead to matched funding from national and private funding bodies, corporate funds and the third sector. The focus will be on Global Challenges (such as extreme weather conditions, food and energy security, and meeting needs of a growing and ageing population). Funds will be delivered through all seven UK research councils, BIS, TSB, British Academy, FCO, the Academy of Medical Sciences, UK Science and Innovation Network, Royal Society of Chemistry, the British Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering. These delivery partners will issue calls at various times. The Fund is expected to run in 15 countries: China, India 1, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt and Kazakhstan. The levels of UK funding per partner country will vary. The fund will cover three broad themes: People: capacity building (including a PhD programme and doctoral training centres), student and researcher fellowships, mobility schemes and joint centres. The theme has the broadest range of programmes (7, with 2 sub-programmes). Programmes: research collaborations on development topics in line with the Grand Challenges and how they translate to the needs of the host country. The programme will extend across the Fund s life-cycle providing pump priming, including networking events and workshops, and research funding in the form of bi-lateral grants. There will also be the possibility of developing Joint Centres where complementary institutions link up on a common research theme. Translation: the programme has two main elements - Newton Institutional Links and Research and Innovation Bridges. Intuitional links develop innovative solutions on 1 TBC: There is conflicting information on the status of India. Named in the Translation funding, but not elsewhere and not listed on the Newton Fund Website. Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 1 of 9
development topics. Small grants may cover the exchange of researchers, students, and industry staff (including from SMEs) between partners and the costs of organising meetings, seminars and other activity which supports research and innovation, collaboration and capacity building. Grants will be allocated through an open call across the Newton Fund countries (with the exception of China) and are expected to range from 100,000 to 300,000 over two years (to be discussed with in-country co-funders). Innovation Bridges will build partnerships between business and academia to help address major societal challenges. Funding will be either for pump priming (budget to be agreed) or full scale collaborative projects to range in size from up to 100k for small scale collaborative projects lasting up to 18 months to larger collaborative R&I projects up to 2m and lasting between 18 and 36 months. Full scale Research and Innovation Bridges have been conceived primarily for use in countries or between partners where there is capacity for excellent research and translation activities. The Full scale R&I Bridges programme will build on previous Science Bridges programmes and will therefore be operated initially with academics and businesses from the UK in bilateral partnerships with China, India and Brazil to help solve challenges where there is a strong need in those countries. A full list of programmes is included at the end of the document. The three strands of the programme can be selected individually or as a package, depending on the country needs and existing initiatives. Known calls and allocations so far: Chile: 4M allocated in 2014 calls for proposals. The duration of the programme is to be confirmed 2. Agreed between RCUK and the Chilean National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT), the calls were rushed out to meet national funding deadlines. International Networking between research centres ( 18k per project) International Research Projects (up to 165k over 3 years) The Chile calls closed on 5 June. The CONICYT website will host future calls (in Spanish): http://www.conicyt.cl/pci/2014/03/24/concurso-de-apoyo-a-la-formacion-de-redesinternacionales-entre-centros-de-investigacion-2014/ China: 53M in 2014 with a five-year implementation plan valued at 200M. The programmes include: 2 Chile s aid-worthy status is predicted to change in 3 years: InternationalUnit. Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 2 of 9
23 M Scientific research programme led in the UK by the Met Office that will help build the basis for services to protect against extreme weather and prepare for a changing climate in Asia 16 M Joint Research Partnerships led in the UK by RCUK to support advances in marine energy, regenerative medicine and stem cells, atmospheric pollution and human health, and sustaining the soil ecosystem 14 M Newton Fellowships to develop meaningful collaborations between scientists and researchers. No information is currently provided on the application process: the Delivery Partners will provide details Kazakhstan: 20M over five years. The Newton Al-Farabi Partnership Programme The Programme is co-ordinated by the JSC Science Fund for Kazakhstan and the British Council. The programme will initially support capacity building, people exchange and joint centres, with a focus on six priority areas: Energy Health and wellbeing Agri-technology Resilience and natural disasters Ecology and the environment Food and water The call is not live yet. The British Council holding page (http://www.britishcouncil.kz/newton-al-farabi) advises contacting Project Manager Rowan Kennedy directly rowan.kennedy@kz.britishcouncil.org Other countries While the UK has made commitment to funding, many national partners are still in discussion. As a consequence the majority of the programmes feature the caveat that grant details will be decided in discussion with national partners. Other countries targeted/expected to announce funds: There are no other funding bodies/corporations involved as yet. Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 3 of 9
Next Steps York contacts: Research Development Managers for help with bid preparation and liaison with the Delivery Partners Assistance with identifying partners in participating countries, and further information on the Newton Fund as it develops: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Egypt, Kazakhstan, India Karl Ward, International Relations Officer China, South Africa, Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines Hilary Layton, Director of Internationalisation Programme contacts in Delivery Partners: RCUK: Sophie.Laurie@rcuk.ac.uk British Council: Claire.mcnulty@britishcouncil.org International Unit (UUK): Daniel.Shah@international.ac.uk Royal Society: Paul.mcdonald@royalsociety.org Royal Academy of Engineering: Shane.mchugh@raeng.org.uk British Academy: n.bevan@britac.ac.uk Academy of Medical Sciences: Catherine Luckin@acmedsci.ac.uk Technology Strategy Board: David.Golding@tsb.gov.uk Met Office: Kirstine.dale@metoffice.gov.uk, Alex.bailey@metoffice.gov.uk An information session on the Newton Fund is planned as part of a broader Brazil information event in November. Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 4 of 9
Newton Fund Programmes: PEOPLE Newton PhD Programme Provide opportunities for international training and development at the doctoral level, including incoming and outgoing PhD scholarships Support 1 year international placements for PhD students and allow engagement of PhD supervisors in international links (up to 10k/placement) Develop international joint training pathways, PhD partnerships Institutional partnerships between UK and partner country HEIs and research institutions, focussed on PhD training and skills development. Awards will be in the range of 50k - 150K per partnership Researcher Mobility Programme (Note that the details will be decided in discussion with national partners) Newton Researcher Links Programme 1. Travel grants (1-6 months) for researchers to travel to the UK to undertake research projects or undergo research training. 2. Travel grants for UK researchers (1-3 months) to visit partner countries to share knowledge and expertise 3. Grants for workshops aligned with the in-country Newton Fund priority areas. Newton International Collaboration Programme The programme builds on existing mobility schemes administered by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the British Academy. It will support early career and established researchers form the UK in strengthening the research and innovation capacity of researchers from Newton fund countries by assisting them in visiting or sending staff and students to the UK. Newton Advanced Fellowships The programme will focus on supporting early to mid-career international researchers (up to 15 years post PhD) who have already established (or are well advanced in the process of establishing) a research group or research network and have a research track record. The focus will be on developing their research strengths through collaboration and providing support for more formalised training and development. The award will be up to three years and provide a salary top up, research support, training costs and travel and subsistence enabling the holder to spend short periods training in the UK with the intention of transferring knowledge and research capabilities between partners. Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 5 of 9
Newton International Fellowships This programme is an extension of the existing Newton International Fellowship programme currently run by the Royal Society and the British Academy. The Academy of Medical Sciences will become a partner allowing the extension of the disciplinary remit to include clinical research. The Newton International Fellowship scheme will enable talented early career post-doctoral researchers from the partner country (with no more than seven years active full time postdoctoral experience) to spend two consecutive years undertaking research in the UK. The award will be made for two consecutive years and provide a stipend, research monies, and basic relocation costs. All subject areas will be eligible. Innovation Leadership Programme The Royal Academy of Engineering s Innovation Leadership Programme is a framework for strategic innovation collaboration between the UK and emerging powers, built around two innovation capacity building programmes, addressing researchers and institutions respectively. Leaders in Innovation Fellowships are intended to build the capacity of researchers in partner countries to commercialise their innovations. Placement in UK company or institution with training followed by 6 month salary relief to focus on commercialising innovation at home organisation. Higher Education Partnerships are aimed at increasing the innovation capacity of higher education institutions in emerging powers, primarily through creating structured and strong partnerships with locally based industry. Professional Development & Engagement Programme UK providers will give training and provide resources to develop Professional Development & Community Engagement Centres hosted by partner country Institutions. Based on partner countries specific needs, the Centres will be hubs for training and/or community engagement activity, developing programmes of events to strengthen connections between researchers and the wider society in areas relevant to development. In the longer term it is envisaged that the programme would move towards joint development of resources and training of trainers to ensure longer term sustainability. STEM Education Programme The STEM Education Programme will support knowledge exchange and partnership opportunities between the UK and partner countries on STEM education approaches and in Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 6 of 9
doing so build the human resource capacity in a vital area for economic development and social well-being. Activities that can be included: STEM curriculum development and consultancy; UK experts on STEM education to work with national partners to improve STEM curriculum. Partnerships for STEM resource development; UK experts to work with and train education professionals in country to develop context-specific resources. Pilot innovative approaches to formal and informal STEM learning, for example by establishing a national STEM Ambassadors network, encouraging more interaction between active scientists and school students; or by supporting new STEM teacher training approaches. Summer programme for school students at UK universities or research institutes to give an experience of STEM in an international environment. Technical Training & Employability Programme The Technical Training and Employability Programme will focus on training and development for technical roles (eg laboratory, engineering, environmental, or forensic technicians). PROGRAMME Joint research programmes will be designed and delivered in partnership with the relevant funding partners in each country, and delivery mechanisms will be sensitive to the strategic and operational needs of each partner. A component will be allocated to support linked preparatory activities in country including networking and workshops. In addition to the research programme approaches, there will also be the opportunity to develop Joint Centres, providing support for key research institutions to link up with counterparts in Newton Fund countries to form long-term sustainable and productive links. TRANSLATION Research and Innovation Collaboration Programme Newton Institutional Links The Institutional Links Programme is designed to complement the Newton Researcher Links Programme to establish links beyond the level of the individual researcher, giving opportunities for more sustainable research collaboration. Institutional Links grants could cover the exchange of researchers, students, and industry staff (including from SMEs) between partners and the costs of Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 7 of 9
organising meetings, seminars and other activity which supports research and innovation collaboration and capacity building Institutional Links may be established as UK-partner country centres of excellence in a particular research area, acting as a resource hub for the wider research community in-country and a focal point for other activities (e.g. seminars, technical training workshops). In some countries (depending on need), support for purchase of equipment and consumables and the training of technical staff may be approved. Grants will be allocated through an open call across the Newton Fund countries (with the exception of India and China) and are expected to range from 100,000 to 300,000 over two years. Budget, Priority areas and /or specific innovation challenges will be set at a country level. Research and Innovation Bridges The aim of Research and Innovation Bridges is to build partnerships between business and academia in the Newton Fund countries and the UK to help address major societal challenges. The programme has elements for individuals and organisations: Pump priming activity scoping and networking activity for individuals from a minimum of two institutions. Full scale Bridge a range of activities including, seminars and workshops to build partnerships and collaborations, joint academic centres building links to business; small scale collaborative projects to test out ideas, and larger-scale research and innovation projects aiming to tackle major societal challenges. The programme is building on previous Science Bridge programmes and initially restricted to projects in Brazil, China and India Research and Innovation Collaboration Programme Training and development for national agencies equivalent to the Technology Strategy Board and also national and city governments or other public sector innovation teams. Government and Innovation Agencies 12 month UK-based leadership development programme. Developing entrepreneurial knowledge and capability 12 month programme development for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and science and innovation based entrepreneurs to commercially exploit ideas. The full programme description can be found in the further information section. Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 8 of 9
Further information: Gov.uk Newton Fund website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/newton-fund-building-science-andinnovation-capacity-in-developing-countries/newton-fund-building-science-and-innovationcapacity-in-developing-countries Programme Description https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/320354/n ewton_fund_programme_descriptions.pdf Frequently Asked Questions https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/320351/n ewton_fund_frequently_asked_questions_.pdf Official presentation https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/320351/n ewton_fund_frequently_asked_questions_.pdf Karl Ward International Relations Office. June 2014 Karl Ward Last Saved: 20/06/2014 13:56 Page 9 of 9