UKRI: Updated Pathways to Impact guidance

Anne Sofie Laegran, Head of Knowledge Exchange and Impact in Edinburgh Research Office, provides an update following the publication of UKRI Research Council specific guidance for how impact should be integrated into applications from 1 March. This post provides further updates following Anne Sofie’s post on 12 Feb. UKRI has …

Horizon 2020: post-Brexit update

You are still eligible for Horizon 2020 funding and, as a University, we have a high success rate, writes Jonathan Seckl, Vice-Principal Planning, Resources and Research Policy. Although the UK has now left the EU, we have entered the transition period which will continue until 31 December 2020. The terms …

Brexit and research data: What you need to do

Rena Gertz, the University’s Data Protection Officer, provides advice to researchers who receive data from European institutions. NOTE: THE INFORMATION AND LINKS INCLUDED IN THIS POST ARE CORRECT AS OF 5 FEBRUARY 2020. Key message With the UK having left the EU and the transitional period expiring on 31 December …

January 2020 update – impact of Brexit on EU funded research under Horizon 2020 (H2020)

Áine Ryan, Research Funding Manager (EU and International), provides the latest update regarding the impact of Brexit on Horizon 2020 funding. Researchers and businesses based in the UK can continue to participate in, bid for and lead projects (including ERC and MSCA-IF) in the European Union’s (EU) flagship programme Horizon …

Engaging with policymakers internationally

In this blog, Madeleine Beveridge, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Coordinator, shares learning and discussion points from our recent Knowledge Exchange Learning Lunch on Engaging with Policymakers Internationally.  We are lucky to have the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government, and Edinburgh City Council all within a bus journey of the University …

Official Development Assistance – What is ODA and how can you ensure research is compliant? Part 2

In today’s blog, Dr Conor Snowden, International Development Research Manager talks about the learning from his recent training event “Official Development Assistance – What is ODA and how can you ensure research is compliant?” We held an event on 17 December that looked in detail at Official Development Assistance (ODA) …

Writing a competitive proposal for a European Research Council Consolidator Grant

Dr Eirini Theofanidou, Proposal Development Executive (EU & International),  shares insights from our recent event about the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant and highlights how you can design a competitive proposal. The ERC Consolidator Grant overview and proposal development event was held on 2 December 2019. We provided an …

Official Development Assistance – What is ODA and how can you ensure research is compliant?

In today’s blog, Dr Conor Snowden, International Development Research Manager talks about ODA funding, and how our upcoming workshop can help you learn more about accessing this type of funding. It has now been five years since the launch of the Newton Fund and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).  …

Strategic Leadership in Research Programme 2020

The Strategic Leadership in Research Programme aims to equip researchers with the leadership skills, knowledge and behaviours required to win large-scale strategic funding. Find out more about the programme and how you can apply. The Strategic Leadership in Research Programme will run from April – October 2020 and will require …

Where to start with parliamentary and policy engagement

Today’s blog is a guest post from Harriet Barker, Impact and Knowledge Exchange Officer at the Scottish Centre for Administrative Research. In October I went along to ‘Parliament for Researchers’, a training event held across the UK run by the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST). The session started …

Transformative ambition – the EPSRC Programme Grant

In today’s blog, Nicholas Duvall, Research Development Officer, highlights the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Programme Grant. A Programme Grant from the EPSRC is one of the most prestigious research awards available in the disciplines within that council’s remit, which in addition to Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) …

Unpacking the Impact of International Development Research

In today’s blog, Isobel Marr, GCRF Project Officer talks about why Theory of Change, logframes and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) frameworks are important tools in international development research and how you can learn more through an upcoming webinar series.  International development research has been gaining momentum in the UK, …

The Wellcome Trust shuffles its Arts and Social Sciences funding portfolio

In today’s blog, Al Innes, Research Development Officer, looks at how the Wellcome Trust is set to pause its major humanities and social sciences grant schemes, in favour of two new one-off schemes, in a change in approach for the funder. As of January 2020 The Wellcome Trust’s Investigator and …

Meet the Team: Alan Campbell

In this week’s blog we meet Alan Campbell, Research Integrity Manager in the Research Support Office. Read on to find out about Alan’s recently appointed role, what led him to the University and recent work on export control. What led you to work at the University? I did my MBA …

Research integrity at the University of Edinburgh

In this week’s blog – Alan Campbell, RSO’s new Research Integrity Manager, talks about Research Integrity, why it matters and how we support academics at the University of Edinburgh to uphold the highest standards of Research Integrity in their research. What is Research Integrity and why is it important? When …

Responsible use of research metrics

Louise Ker, Strategic Research Executive, explains the concept of ‘responsible research metrics’, what the University is doing to implement this, and what this means for research and researchers. The research landscape is exploding with opportunities to harness ever larger and more diverse datasets to deliver powerful progress and innovation. The …

Meet the Team: Al Innes

In today’s post we meet Al Innes, Research Development Officer for the Research Support Office and talk about development, research strategies and Maurice Ravel. What led you to work at the University? I had spent 5 years working in the private sector as a Research Communications Manager and then Business …

The European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant

Alan Kennedy, Senior Research Development Specialist, explains the ERC Consolidator Grant. The University of Edinburgh is 4th in the UK and 7th in Europe for ERC grants. We’re currently hosting 19 Consolidator Grants. “The fundamental activity of the ERC is to provide attractive, long-term funding to support excellent investigators and …

Research and innovation funding 2017-21

In today’s blog, Jonathan Rans looks at the BEIS research funding allocations for 2017-21. He discusses what the figures tell us and the areas to keep watch on. Although it isn’t the only UK Government department funding Higher Education sector research and development, the UK Department for Business, Energy, Innovation …

Meet the team: Laura Cockram

In today’s post we meet Laura Cockram, Communications Manager for the Research Support Office and talk about engagement, change and campaigning for better cycling routes. What led you to work at the University? Like my colleagues in the Research Support Office, I was looking for a place and role where …

Meet the team: Alan Shanks

This month, we meet Alan Shanks, a solicitor and Contracts Manager in the Contracts Team, and discuss contracts, drafting, representing the University’s interests and finding a good home for your legal skills. First up, what does a Contracts Manager do? I review, draft, amend, mark up, advise, comment on, negotiate …

UK industrial strategy, sustainable growth and research

Jonathan Rans explains what the current UK Industrial Strategy means for research, the current funding priorities and who to contact if you are interested in applying for Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) funding. The Genesis of the Industrial Strategy The UK is in the grip of a long-term productivity crisis. …

A no deal Brexit: What does it mean for Horizon 2020?

Alan Kennedy clarifies the implications of a “no deal” Brexit on Horizon 2020 research funding. He concludes that current developments will not have an impact on our ability to apply for H2020 calls. Discussion of a “no deal” Brexit has intensified in recent days. Whether this is just political posturing …

Lessons learned through using research analytics to inform strategic decision-making

On the blog today we hear from Dr Kirsty Collinge, Strategic Research Executive, as she shares her insights into data-informed research strategies. Jun 21, 2018

Graduate Apprenticeships: Building skills for the the future

Anna Anderson, Research Support Adviser, explains apprenticeships and how to include a Graduate Apprentice in your research proposal. Last month, the University of Edinburgh announced that we will help deliver Scotland’s first Graduate Apprenticeship in Data Science alongside the University of St. Andrews and the global consulting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers. What …

The UK’s industrial strategy and engagement in EU research and innovation programmes

In today’s blog, Alan Kennedy, pulls out some key points from the Prime Minister’s speech on the UK’s industrial strategy and our future involvement in EU research and innovation programmes. Last week, the Prime Minister gave a speech at Jodrell Bank entitled “Science and Modern Industrial Strategy”. In it she …

Meet the team: Jonathan Rans

Today, we speak to Jonathan Rans, Strategic Research Executive, about helping others create change, live music and the perfect Sunday. What do you love about working at the University? I love having varied and interesting jobs and the University certainly has provided that in the 12 years that I’ve worked …

Fast tracking your impact

Shonagh McEwan shares her reflections on the recent Fast Track Impact training with Professor Mark Reed, an inspiring training session based on the principle that ‘impact is the good that researchers can do in the world’. With over 20 researchers in the room from a range of disciplines, Mark began …

Giving diligence its due: Managing risk at the outset for international research collaborations

In this post, Nicholas Duvall, Research Development Officer, Science and Engineering, explains the due diligence process for research proposals with an international component, and how the Research Support Office helps with this. ‘Diligence is the mother of good fortune, and idleness, its opposite, never led to good intention’s goal.’ Miguel …