RESEARCH MANAGEMENT SERVICES Kaiwhakahaere Rangahau Ratonga Funding Types RG = Research Grant TG = Travel Grant F = Fellowship A = Award T = Tender EQ = Equipment PG = Postgraduate O = Other Research Funding News 24 08 2011 TITLE TYPE DEADLINE AMOUNT SPONSOR For further details regarding these opportunities please refer to the description (page 3 onwards) Ministry for the Waste Minimisation Fund RG 30 Aug, 2011 Unspecified Environment Ministry for the Community Environment Fund RG 01 Sep, 2011 Unspecified Environment Grants-in-Aid of Research &Travel Wellington Medical RG 5 Sep, 2011 Unspecified Grants Research Foundation Project Grants, Fellowships and Auckland Medical RG 9 Sep, 2011 $80,000 Scholarships, Research Foundation Fulbright Visiting Scholar Award in New A 12 Sep, 2011 US$6,500/mth Fulbright New Zealand Zealand Studies Comparative Perspectives on Chinese US$6,000 American Council of O 21 Sep, 2011 Culture and Society $25,000 Learned Societies * Irvington Institute Fellowship Program US$50,000 for 3 Cancer Research F 25 Sep, 2011 of the Cancer Research Institute yrs Institute * International Training Fellowships in Nutricia Research €25,000 for 1 yr F 28 Sep, 2011 Foundation * Human Nutrition Research Grants RG 28 Sep, 2011 €25,000 pa for 2 yrs Small Project Grants, Grants-in-Aid, Travel Grants RG/TG 28 Sep, 2011 $15,000 Max 2011-12 International Mobility Fund TG 30 Sep, 2011 Unspecified Regular Grant Programme RG 04 Oct, 2011 £250,000 Max for 4 yrs World Cancer Research Fund International * International Geoscience Programme TG 10 Oct, 2011 US$10,000 Max UNESCO * Project Grants/Grants-in-Aid/Research RG 11 Oct, 2011 $200,000 pa for 3 yrs Cancer Society of NZ Mitochondrial Research Grants RG 25 Oct, 2011 $US40,000 Barth Syndrome Foundation, Inc. * F 24 Nov, 2011 £40,119 + £6,000 for 9 mths Wolfson College at Cambridge University * RG 25 Nov, 2011 Unspecified Spencer Foundation * RG Continuous US$50,000 Simons Foundation * Smuts Visiting Research Fellowship in Commonwealth Studies 2012-2013 Purposes and Values of Education Small Grants Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative Explorer Awards Nutricia Research Foundation * National Heart Foundation Ministry of Science + Innovation *These are international funders, for details regarding eligibility criteria and possible login requirements please contact the RDA team Note: Some of these opportunities are listed through the GETS (Government Electronic Tender System) which requires a login to access. Contact Marise Murrie to obtain access. European Union and European Commission Framework Programme 7 NOTE: All FP7 Applications must originate from a European Research Organisation Open Call New Zealand’s FP7 status is “Third Country”. Due Date Amount (depending upon project) Health Calls - HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION - FP7-HEALTH-2012INNOVATION-1 Oct 04, 2011 - Stage 1 €2 Million Feb 08, 2012 - Stage 2 €12 Million ICT for Green Cars - 2012 - FP7-2012-ICT-GC - Public-Private Partnership "Green Cars": Cross-Thematic Cooperation Between NMP, Energy, Environment, Transport and ICT Themes Dec 01, 2011 Unspecified FP7- Transport Horizontal Activities (TPT) - FP7-Transport (TPT)-2012RTD-1 - FP7-TPT-2012-RTD-1 Dec 01, 2011 Unspecified FP7- Sustainable Surface Transport (SST)-2012-RTD-1 Including European Green Cars Initiative - FP7-SST-2012-RTD-1 Dec 01, 2011 €2 Million €37.04 Million Support to Trans-National Networks of Procurers - FP7-COH-2012Procurers Jan 05, 2012 €1.1 Million Support to Trans-National Networks of Procurers - FP7-COH-2012Procurers Jan 05, 2012 Unspecified Marie Curie Initial Training Networks 2012 (ITN) - Marie-Curie Actions Calls: FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN Jan 12, 2012 Unspecified Regions of Knowledge Calls: Transnational Cooperation Between Regional Research-Driven Clusters - FP7-REGIONS-2012-2013-1 Jan 31, 2012 €1 Million - €3 Million Science in Society Calls - FP7-SCIENCE-IN-SOCIETY-2012-1 Feb 22, 2012 €1.5 Million €12 Million RDA contact: Jo Stone extn 9533 Workshops The Health Research Council Funding round for 2012 is now open. Funding is available for programmes, projects, emerging researcher grants, feasibility studies and career development awards. If you would like any further information or are thinking of applying for any of these grants, please contact Emma Hughes. Research Management Services is holding an information session on the Palmerston North campus on Friday 26th August to present information delivered at the HRC roadshows. The presentation will include:  Types of contracts  Important closing dates and timeline  Submission and assessment process  Question and answer session Dr Te Kani Kingi sits on the HRC science assessing committee and will also be present to offer some tips and advice on preparing applications. Date: Friday 26 August Time: 11 am – noon Room: Business Studies Central BSC3.05 Research News –Updates Pre-advertisement for Singapore Networking Grants The HRC seeks to allocate funds to enable outstanding New Zealand researchers to establish research collaborations with research teams based in Singapore. The fund will support applicants to collaborate with Singapore-based teams to identify research questions, or emerging issues and priorities, that could form the basis of future joint work (submitted to the appropriate funding round). Up to four Networking Grants are available with a maximum of $10,000 per grant. This Networking Grant is open to people from New Zealand-based research organisations and companies doing research, including Crown Research Institutes, Universities, Research Associations and private companies. There is no restriction on the type of partnership opportunity that will be considered, although it must be a healthrelated discipline. It is anticipated the call for the Singapore Networking Grants will be released this week. Interested researchers please contact Emma Hughes. Fulbright New Zealand: Ian Axford Fellows in Public Policy This year’s four Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellows in Public Policy conclude their seven month research projects this month by launching their final written policy reports at a series of public seminars in Wellington. The four American fellows have each been based at government agencies relevant to their topic of research, which include comparisons of New Zealand and American approaches to resource allocation for ocean renewable energy, disaster preparedness education in schools, corporate financial disclosure, and scientific influence on decision-making for marine protected areas. Ian Boisvert, a renewable energy attorney from San Francisco, California, was based at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), researching policy for the management of New Zealand’s abundant ocean renewable energy resources – wave power, tidal currents and offshore wind. In his report Ian identifies inconsistencies and problems with the current system for allocation of coastal permits by regional councils. He recommends dialogue between ocean renewable energy developers and other marine users, a comprehensive assessment of offshore renewable resources by regional and national governments, and development of a new system of Tradable Occupation Rights for the various users of marine space, in order to reduce the likelihood of conflict between them and allow New Zealand to more easily recognise its offshore energy potential. Victoria Johnson, former Policy Director of the National Commission on Children and Disasters in Washington, DC was based at the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, where she researched New Zealand’s school disaster preparedness programme, What’s the Plan, Stan?, with a view to informing the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Education’s consideration of developing a similar single nationwide programme in the US. In evaluating What’s the Plan, Stan? Victoria identified varying levels of uptake of the programme, but that those using it were very positive about the resource and its benefits within and beyond the classroom. Her recommendations include a more thorough examination of the programme’s effectiveness, integration with other safety education programmes, and development of measurable outcomes-based strategies in both New Zealand and the US. Following the Fellowship Victoria Johnson has received a GNS Science PhD Scholarship to undertake a PhD at Massey on “Evaluating disaster education programmes for children”. The proposed research aims to explore how the design and implementation of evaluations for disaster education programmes can support public policy decisions. Although many hazards education programmes have been developed and implemented with the aim of improving knowledge and protective behaviours in children, a very limited number of them have been evaluated for either effectiveness or feasibility. Drawing upon previous research and evaluations of safety-oriented educational programmes for children, this project will evaluate a series of disaster education programmes in schools and other child congregate care settings. This project will specifically address challenges in measuring knowledge and behavioural outcomes among children, particularly to prepare for high-risk, low-probability events like disasters. It will also explore methodological approaches to evaluating disaster education programmes for children under public policy constraints such as time, institutional buy-in and funding Jonathan Karp from the US Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC was based at the Securities Commission prior to its replacement by the new Financial Markets Authority, and then at the Companies Office. He researched the New Zealand government’s model for corporate financial disclosure, including registration of public corporations and regulation of the publication of corporate financial reports. Noting that New Zealand often outperforms the US in studies of business regulatory activities, he recommends a number of organisational and operational changes from the New Zealand model which could improve transparency and accountability if adopted into the United States’ financial regulatory regime. David Wiley from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Scituate, Massachusetts was based at the Department of Conservation, where he researched how scientists can improve the “social power” of their research (i.e. its influence on decision making) for the management of marine protected areas. By surveying the acceptance of information from various sources by different stakeholders in the marine environment, David disproved the traditional notion that scientific research is viewed as credible and unbiased because it is conducted in isolation from those impacted by its results. On the contrary, he found such research can easily be discounted by other stakeholders because of preconceptions and perceived biases. He concludes that inclusive research involving a “team of rivals” is most likely to be accepted by all parties and enacted into policy, and recommends a multi-stakeholder approach to research in order to maximise its acceptance. The four Ian Axford Fellowship reports will be available to download from the Fulbright New Zealand website – www.fulbright.org.nz Funding Opportunity Deadlines Waste Minimisation Fund - 30th August, 2011 The Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) helps fund waste minimisation projects. The purpose of the fund is to increase resource efficiency, increase reuse, recovery and recycling, and decrease waste to landfill. The Minister for the Environment has set criteria for the Waste Minimisation Fund. Only projects which promote or achieve waste minimisation, including the reduction of waste and the reuse, recycling and recovery of waste and diverted material will be eligible. Sponsor: Ministry for the Environment RDA contact: Marise Murrie extn 81356 Community Environment Fund - 1st September, 2011 The Ministry wants to work with you to help make a positive difference to the environment. The purpose of the Community Environment Fund (CEF) is to provide funding to ensure that New Zealanders are empowered to take environmental action. It also ensures that:  partnerships (relating to practical environmental initiatives) between interested parties are supported and strengthened  community-based advice and educational opportunities are increased  awareness on environmental legislation and issues is heightened. Sponsor: Ministry for the Environment RDA contact: Marise Murrie extn 81356 Wellington Medical Research Foundation – 5th September, 2011 Provides seeding grants in aid of research and travel grants to medical or non-medical researchers. Funds are also available for research into cardiovascular medicine, renal diseases and diabetic diseases. RDA contact: Emma Hughes extn 81344 Auckland Medical Research Foundation – 9th September, 2011 The purpose of the Foundation is to improve the health of New Zealanders through funding the highest quality medical research of all kinds. Each year the Foundation provides funding to support medical research projects of two-year’s duration. The Foundation is committed to funding excellence and has an established policy of supporting emerging researchers. In addition, the recently establish Hugh Green Diabetes and Breast Cancer Research Fund, supports projects specifically in these two areas. The William and Lois Manchester Trust provides support for research into reconstructive plastic, maxillofacial and hand surgery (including skin graft and burns research, but excluding cosmetic surgery). Fellowships and travel grants also available RDA contact: Emma Hughes extn 81344 Fulbright Visiting Scholar Awards in New Zealand Studies – 10 September, 2011 This Award allows New Zealand academics to conduct research and teach a course in New Zealand Studies at Georgetown University in Washington, DC for one or two semesters. Visiting Scholars can conduct research in their own field of study, and are required to teach an undergraduate course for Georgetown University's Center for Australian and New Zealand Studies (CANZ) as part of their award, including history, sociology, education, geography, literature, business or trade, international relations, international economics, public policy and management, and government. There is one award available per semester. Applicants may apply for an award for one or two semesters in duration. Semesters run from January to May (Spring) and August to December (Fall). Preference for Fulbright awards is given to candidates who have not had extensive recent experience in the US. To be eligible, you must:  have a PhD and recent teaching experience at a New Zealand tertiary educational institution  be able to teach an undergraduate course in New Zealand Studies (maximum of three hours class contact per week) based on your field of expertise  not have held another Fulbright award in the past two years, and otherwise comply with the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board's policy on Previous Fulbright Grants  meet the citizenship requirements for this award:  be a New Zealand citizen  AND not a permanent resident or citizen of the US  AND not currently living in the US The Award provides:  US$3,250 per month for a partial award or US$6,500 per month for a full award for the duration of each semester (five months)*  international travel of US$2,000 for the grantee and US$2,000 for one dependent  basic health and accident insurance cover up to a maximum of US$100,000 * Full awards are granted to applicants without any additional financial assistance during the award. Partial awards are granted to applicants receiving financial assistance, usually in the form of paid sabbaticals from their home institution. Applicants who wish to teach two semesters from January to December are advised that they will be unpaid for a period of approximately 40 days during the university's summer break, for which they should utilise independent financial resources or seek other sources of financial support. Sponsor: Fulbright New Zealand RDA contact: Jo Stone extn 9533 Comparative Perspectives on Chinese Culture and Society – 21st September, 2011 In this cycle of competitions ACLS is soliciting proposals in the humanities and related social sciences that adopt an explicitly cross-cultural or comparative perspective. ACLS invites submission of projects that, for example, compare aspects of Chinese history and culture with those of other nations and civilizations, explore the interaction of these nations and civilizations, or engage in cross-cultural research on the relations among the diverse and shifting populations of China. Proposals are expected to be empirically grounded, theoretically informed, and methodologically explicit. The programme will support collaborative work of three types: 1. Planning Meetings: Grants will be offered for one-day meetings to plan conferences or workshops, or for less structured explorations, e.g., brainstorming sessions. 2. Workshops: Grants will be offered for workshops designed to promote discussion and the exchange of ideas on newly available or inadequately researched data or texts in a collegial, seminar-like setting. Workshops are not mini-conferences with the presentation of formal papers describing work already done. 3. Conferences: Grants will be offered for formal research conferences intended to produce significant new research that will be published in a conference volume. Proposals for conferences should normally be more elaborate than proposals for planning meetings or workshops. The programme aims to promote interchange among scholars who may not otherwise have the opportunity to work together. Accordingly, proposals will not be supported for activities of scholars from one institution or that fall within an institution's normal range of colloquia, symposia, or seminar series. The program will not support regularly scheduled meetings, conventions, or parts thereof. Proposals must include at least one scholar from Taiwan as a participant. The programme aims to encourage collective efforts by groups of scholars who are prepared to work together on a limited set of issues. Accordingly, efforts should be made at the earliest possible stage of projects to ensure that the eventual set of conference papers is intellectually coherent and not a loose collection of essays on topics only tangentially related. Sponsor: Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange through American Council of Learned Societies RDA contact: Jo Stone extn 9533 Irvington Institute Fellowship Program of the Cancer Research Institute – 26th September, 2011 The Irvington Institute Fellowship Program of the Cancer Research Institute, formerly the Cancer Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, answers the need for more researchers in the field of cancer immunology. It supports qualified young scientists at leading universities and research centres around the world who wish to receive training in cancer immunology. CRI has recently re-evaluated its laboratory and research training programs in an effort to better align funding priorities with the overall mission of the organisation - the support and coordination of laboratory and clinical efforts that will lead to immunological treatment, control, and prevention of cancer. As a result, CRI will now designate all fellowship funds to projects clearly related to the institute's mission and that seek to solve the cancer problem through immunological means. Applicants must be working in areas directly related to cancer immunology and must have less than 5 years of relevant postdoctoral experience. Sponsor: The Cancer Research Institute RDA contact: Emma Hughes extn 81344 International Training Fellowships in Human Nutrition – 28th September, 2011 The Foundation clearly recognises the importance of giving young scientists the possibility for research training in renowned institutes. Usually, this training is devoted to learning new techniques and performing short research projects in Nutrition or Dietetics not possible at their current institute. In addition, research training of promising scientists from developing countries at top institutes is one of the aims of the International Training Fellowships. Sponsor: Nutricia Research Foundation RDA contact: Jo Stone extn 9533 Nutricia Research Grants – 28th September, 2011 The basic activity of the Foundation to fulfil its mission is supplying grants for nutrition related research projects. Project grants are available for a maximum of two years. A progress report must be submitted shortly before the end of the first year (i.e. November 1st). On the basis of this report, the Foundation will decide on release of the grant for the second year. Applications for research grants are reviewed on the basis of the originality of the project, the definition of a clear study hypothesis, the appropriateness of the experimental design, the feasibility of the research plan and the relevance to nutrition. Where appropriate, applicants are encouraged to show power and sample size calculations in full, and seek help from statisticians if needed. In all scientific publications emanating from the research grant, acknowledgement to the Nutricia Research Foundation should be made. Sponsor: Nutricia Research Foundation RDA contact: Jo Stone extn 9533 Small Project Grants, Grants-in-Aid, Travel Grants – 28th September, 2011 Funds biomedical, public health and clinical research into the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases of the heart and circulation. Small Projects, Grants-in-Aid and Travel grants are awarded three times a year. Also available are Project grants, scholarships and fellowships are awarded annually. Sponsor: National Heart Foundation RDA contact: Emma Hughes extn 81344 2011-12 International Mobility Fund – 30th September, 2011 This provides funding for New Zealand researchers to travel overseas or for overseas researchers to travel to New Zealand to work on joint research projects. The programme will not support conference, seminar or workshop attendance, unless this is clearly linked with an existing substantial collaborative research or technology project, nor will activities where the principal activity is teaching or study be supported. Please note that this round of funding is for activities commencing at 1 January 2012 and concluding at 30 June 2012. New Zealand maintains a number of bilateral (New Zealand to one country) and multilateral (New Zealand to many countries) relationships with other countries and organisations. These occur at both the government and scientist level. The International Mobility Fund (IMF), funding for which is provided by the Ministry of Science + Innovation, is a sub-programme of the International Relationship Fund. The programme facilitates bilateral research through the provision of funding for travel related costs. Direct research costs will not be supported. Please also note that there are priority countries namely, Australia; China; Europe (Europe being those countries within the European Union except France and Germany, whom have their own separate funding programmes); India; Japan; Korea; and the USA. There is a small amount of funding available for other countries not included above. Sponsor: Ministry of Science + Innovation through the Royal Society of New Zealand RDA contact: Marise Murrie extn 81356 World Cancer Research Fund - Regular Grant Programme – 4th October, 2011 Studies must be justified in terms of their direct relevance to human cancer. Studies that will be considered include, but are not limited to, (1) human epidemiologic, clinical, or metabolic studies; (2) studies that use human biological samples (e.g. blood, tissue, urine); (3) in vivo or in vitro studies that explore mechanistic pathways of the cancer process. The use of experimental designs outside in vivo human settings will be considered for relevant studies that examine mechanistic pathways of the cancer process. Experimental studies that exclusively explore changes in the cancer outcome (e.g. incidence, tumour size) will be considered only if the applicant demonstrates that these changes are relevant to human cancer. Applicants should adhere to the general research principles, as outlined in the Grant Application Package (GAP) 2011-2012 and may address one or more of the specific research priorities detailed in the GAP and listed below: 1. Clarify the evidence on research areas of nutrition and cancer 2. Life course exposure in relation to cancer 3. The role of body fatness and physical activity in relation to cancer 4. Patterns of diet and physical activity in relation to cancer 5. Molecular/genetic research 6. Methodological research 7. Cancer survivors’ research. Given the interest in the diet and cancer field and the high quality of applications, only those outline applications that in the judgment of the Grant Panel are of sufficient quality and relevance to WCRF International's objectives will be considered suitable for external review. WCRF International encourages grant holders and associated staff working on the grant to attend conferences and will provide funds towards the cost of travel, registration and accommodation. The maximum allowance for travel is £2,400 for the duration of the grant term. This amount should also include travel to meetings that are required to co-ordinate multicentre studies. Outline applications are due by October 11, 2011, and successful applicants will be invited to submit a Full Application. Full Applications are due by February 13, 2012. Sponsor: World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) International RDA contact: Emma Hughes extn 81344 International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) – 10th October, 2011 The primary aims of IGCP are to facilitate international collaboration amongst scientists from around the world in research on geological problems, particularly between those individuals from more industrialized and those from developing countries. Through long-term joint research efforts, meetings, field trips, and workshops, IGCP aims to promote the use of geosciences in global issues including, but not limited to, sustainable development, the health and safety of humanity and the reduction of the adverse effects of natural disasters and resource extraction. IGCP pursues four broad objectives: (1) improving the understanding of the geoscientific factors affecting the global environment in order to improve human living conditions; (2) developing more effective methods to find and sustainably exploit natural resources of minerals, energy and groundwater; (3) increasing understanding of geological processes and concepts of global importance, including an emphasis on socially relevant issues; and (4) improving standards, methods and techniques of carrying out geological research, including the transfer of geological and geotechnological knowledge between industrialised and developing countries. The financial support provided annually by UNESCO and IUGS for IGCP projects covers part of the costs of organising and managing research (not to the research itself), meetings and workshops related to the project, as well as to facilitate participation by scientists from developing countries. In general, IGCP funds cannot be used for items such as data gathering (e.g., field and laboratory expenses). Moreover, the allocated sum should not be used exclusively to cover the travel expenses of project leaders. These limited funds provide 'seed money' to assist in the acquisition of additional funds from other sources. Past experience indicates that successful IGCP projects are able to secure significant additional funding from other sources. Sponsors: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). RDA contact: Kate Nolan extn 81326 Project Grants and Grants in Aid – 11th October, 2011 The Society will consider proposals from prominent and well-published scientific researchers aimed at detecting and treating cancer more effectively. Project grants provide support for a single individual or group working on a clearly defined research project. The usual term for a project grant is from one to three years with a maximum of three years. Grants are not normally renewable and any fresh application should be for a new project, or for one which has emerged from the old. A grant in aid is an award for a particular purpose designed to further the objects of the Society, but not within the categories of a project grant or one of the other grants previously described, for example a piece of equipment. Research grants will also be available through the Society from funds raised by the 2011 Movember campaign. The Movember Foundation is an Australian based, not for profit, charitable organisation that organises the Movember event each year. The organisation has selected the Cancer Society of New Zealand as one of two beneficiary partners. Grant applications for research related to men’s cancers, in particular the causes, detection, diagnosis and improved treatment of prostate cancer, will be considered for this. Sponsor: Cancer Society of New Zealand RDA contact: Emma Hughes extn 81344 Mitochondrial Research Seeding Grant – 25th October, 2011 BSF and its international affiliates are pleased to announce the availability of funding for basic science and clinical research on the natural history, biochemical basis, and treatment of Barth syndrome. Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a serious X-linked genetic condition associated with cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, skeletal muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, growth delay, and diverse biochemical abnormalities (including defects in mitochondrial metabolism and phospholipid biosynthesis). Because many clinical and biochemical abnormalities of Barth syndrome remain poorly understood, BSF is seeking proposals for both basic science and clinical research that may shed light on any aspect of the syndrome, that will lead to improved treatments - and ultimately a cure - for this rare and underdiagnosed disorder. BSF is interested in providing "seed grant funding" to young investigators as well as attracting experienced investigators new to the field of BTHS basic science or clinical research. BSF anticipates that these funds will be used for the testing of initial hypotheses and the collection of preliminary data leading to successful long-term funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other major granting institutions around the world. Sponsor: Barth Syndrome Foundation, Inc. (BSF) RDA contact: Emma Hughes extn 81344 Smuts Visiting Research Fellowship in Commonwealth Studies 2012/2013 – 24th November, 2011 The Fellowship is in association with a Visiting Fellowship at Wolfson College to be held during the academic year and available for research in the field of Commonwealth Studies, including the Commonwealth-related aspects of archaeology, anthropology, economics, history, human geography, law, literature, oriental studies, sociology, politics and social psychology. The maximum duration of a Fellowship is nine months, beginning in October 2012. The Fellowship holder is expected to live in Cambridge for the bulk of their tenure and accommodation is normally offered by Wolfson College. The Fellow is expected to advance Commonwealth Studies in Cambridge mainly by pursuing research, but also by taking part in seminars and similar activities within the University. The Fellow will have access, by agreement, to the holdings of Faculty and Departmental libraries, to the libraries of the Centres of African Studies and South Asian Studies and to the University Library, which houses the extensive collection of materials relating to the history of the British Empire and Commonwealth formerly housed in the Royal Commonwealth Society Library in London. The Fellow will receive a contribution towards their expenses of £40,119 per annum pro rata for a nine month stay or less (taken from the 1 August 2009 pay scales). This sum may be reduced to the extent that the Fellow receives income from another source. The contribution to expenses is subject to tax and National Insurance in the UK. However, depending on personal circumstances it may be eligible for Tax exemption following assessment from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (NZ/UK Double Taxation Agreement). A further sum of up to £6,000 is available towards travel and related costs for a nine month stay. The Managers are not, however, able to provide additional sums for the travel or living expenses of anyone accompanying the Fellow to Cambridge. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. The Managers will give preference to scholars with a distinguished research profile who are nationals or permanent residents of the overseas countries of the Commonwealth and who have active research interests in an area or areas of scholarship falling within the remit of the Smuts Fund as specified above Sponsor: Wolfson College at Cambridge University RDA contact: Jo Stone extn 9533 Spencer Foundation Purposes and Values of Education – Small Grants – 25th November, 2011 The foundation values education for its contributions to civic, political, and community life, for its role in advancing social justice, for its capacity to open to people worlds of cultural and artistic excellence, and in the largest sense for its contributions to "human flourishing." Questions at this less immediate but ultimately deeply practical level are often posed by philosophers and social critics, the best of whom show a lively interest in and skilled use of findings from the social sciences. One important aspect of such inquiry is the question of the relationship between public and political understandings of educational purposes and values, on the one hand, and educational policies and practices on the other. This is, of course, a problem of "theory and practice" in education at the broad social level which mirrors the issue of the relationship between educational research and practice. Analytical, historical, and empirical work that probes effectively and creatively into these issues can contribute toward social decision-making that moves education along constructive paths. Sponsor: The Spencer Foundation Contact: Gordon Suddaby extn 5421 Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative Explorer Awards – Continuous. The SFARI Award seeks to improve the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding, catalysing and driving innovative research of the greatest quality and relevance. Although SFARI's immediate priority is to benefit individuals challenged by autism spectrum disorders, autism research is expected to yield insights into the neural mechanisms of fundamental human capabilities. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders or potential therapeutic approaches will require investigation at multiple levels, including but not limited to studies focused on gene discovery, molecular mechanisms, circuits, anatomy, and cognition and behaviour. Explorer Awards are intended to provide resources to support exploratory experiments that will strengthen hypotheses and lead to the formulation of competitive applications for subsequent larger-scale funding by SFARI or other organisations. Innovative, high risk/high impact proposals are encouraged. We especially encourage applications from junior and senior investigators who are new to the field of autism, but who have expertise that could be brought to bear on this complex disorder. SFARI will support applications for maximum direct costs of $50,000 for one year, non-renewable. Indirect costs are limited to 20 per cent of direct costs, with the following exceptions: equipment, tuition, pre and postdoctoral fellow stipends and benefits, any subcontracts with budgets - including indirect expenses, and SCC biospecimens. Sponsor: The Simons Foundation RDA contact: Emma Hughes extn 81344 Contact Information RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT TEAM Emma Hughes extn. 81344 or 027 540 2020 Marise Murrie extn. 81356 or 027 536 7677 Kate Nolan extn. 81326 or 027 544 7354 Based in Albany Jo Stone extn. 9533 or 027 233 6333 For advice and assistance regarding: Budgets and projects Graeme Mitchell extn. 81336 or 027 246 8526 Enterprise and Commercialisation Russell Wilson extn. 81219 or 027 655 7756 Research Contracts Caroline Tate extn. 81335 or 027 262 3406 Research Information Systems and PBRF Doug Franz extn. 81339or 027 226 1626