Research Newsletter - Issue 60: Funding Opportunities

The 2021 SEAI National Energy Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme Call will open for applications in February 2021. Details of this pre launch announcement is available on their website. 

The Programme will provide the opportunity for applicants to submit proposals to either a thematic strand or open strand:

• The Open Strand provides an opportunity for applicants to propose projects within SEAI’s legal remit which directly address the aims and objectives of the SEAI RD&D Funding Programme Call.
• The Thematic Strand provides an opportunity for applicants to submit proposals that address the requirements of the topics outlined in the Call document.

Further details of both strands and details of thematic topics will be outlined within the Call Document following the call launch.

RS Contact: ecaterina.mcdonagh@dcu.ie

The CHIST-ERA 2020 call is now open. CHIST-ERA is looking for transformative and highly multidisciplinary research projects. Each year, CHIST-ERA launches a call for research proposals in two new topics of emergent scientific importance. 

The 2020 Call topics are:

Topic 1. Advanced Brain-Computer Interfaces for Novel Interactions: The objective of this topic is to consider brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for human-computer, human-to-human, or human-to-object interaction. Of particular interest are BCIs in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, without verbal commands. Application sectors: Healthcare, Telemedicine, Assisted Living, Education & Training, Entertainment & Gaming, Simulation, Cultural and Creative Industries, Advertising.

Topic 2. Towards Sustainable ICT: Novel and ambitious approaches are sought to design and build systems, software and protocols that minimise resource and energy usage as well as carbon footprint over their entire life cycle from resource extraction to end-of-life and that favour reusability, reparability and recycling. Human factors should be studied to allow joint rethinking of ICT and their usage, in particular how to minimise rebound effects, a traditional annihilator of many efficiency gains, and foster an environment-aware usage of ICT. Application sectors: All application sectors of ICT. 

The project consortia must have a minimum of 3 eligible and independent partners requesting funding from at least 3 of the following countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Québec (Canada), Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.  The approximate budget for each consortium is €11.5M. The Irish Contact point needs to be contacted before considering submission. For further details please refer to IRC’s website. 

The deadline for submission is 5pm CET, 1st March, 2021. 

RS Contact: sumona.mukherjee@dcu.ie

The Irish Cancer Society is now accepting applications for their Summer Studentships 2021.

Applications can be made through the Irish Cancer Society Online Grant System.

Deadline for applications: 15.00 Thursday 25^th February 2021.

Deadline for eligibility queries: Thursday 11^th February 2021.

Information on the award

The objective of the Irish Cancer Society Summer Studentships is to offer excellent undergraduate students the opportunity to undertake a cancer research project and to work with researchers in high-quality research environments. This programme will give students the opportunity to gain research experience at an early stage in their career path.

There are four summer studentship awards available: two translational biomedical science summer studentships and two social, nursing, and allied health sciences summer studentships. Applicants can only apply for one type of studentship award.

The Translational Research Summer Studentship 2021 programme offers undergraduate students the opportunity to undertake a translational biomedical cancer research project. This programme is open to students undertaking a biomedical or life science degree.

The Social, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences Summer Studentships 2021 programme offers undergraduate students the opportunity to undertake a social, nursing and allied health sciences-based cancer research project. This programme is open to students undertaking a degree in the social, nursing, or allied health sciences.

The total amount available is €2,500 to support the student for a maximum period of eight weeks, starting no earlier than 2nd June. Payment to the student throughout the project will be made through the host institution.

Please note that this programme is subject to the evolving Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. In response to this, ‘virtual’, or ‘desk-based’, projects will be eligible, once said project fits all other eligibility criteria. All on-site summer studentships will be subject to the current health guidelines in place in Ireland at that time.

For more information on the award please see the Irish Cancer Society website.

RS Contact: helen.burke@dcu.ie

In partnership with The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), this research funding opportunity is an extension of scope to the Mental Health Grants Funding Program in support of First Responders, as well as their families, announced earlier this year.  Movember is seeking research proposals aimed at building the case to develop and implement effective mental ill health prevention programs for first responders, as well as the development and initial implementation or pilot testing of new evidence-based or evidence-informed programs themselves. Letters of Intent are being invited by 5 February 2021 to this Request for Proposals. 

An initial total investment of €3.92M is being earmarked over the next two years to support First Responder Initiatives in New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the US as well as Veteran and First  Responder  Initiatives  in  Australia  and  Canada.  This includes a funding allocation of €309,000 over two years for a First Responder project in Ireland.  

FURTHER INFO – For full details on the current funding opportunity and to download the Request for Proposal, visit https://ie.movember.com/about/vfr-grants

KEY DATES:  

HOW TO APPLY - Register online at:  https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=movember.  Set up a user profile and complete and submit a Letter of Intent by 05 February 2021, 5:00 pm EDT.  Late or emailed submissions will not be accepted. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INITIATIVE?  Email vfrgrants@movember.com. 

RS Contact: helen.burke@dcu.ie

Breast Cancer Now are inviting applications to their Catalyst Programme from researchers across the UK and Europe who are interested in investigating Pfizer drugs alone or in combination with other agents that address problems in breast cancer.

They are looking to fund innovative clinical research proposals but would also welcome proposals from groups working in preclinical research.

Grants are available in awards of up to £400,000, or up to £1.5 million for larger studies of exceptional potential.

They will accept proposals from teams based at a single site or multiple sites in the UK and the rest of Europe. Proposals may address a range of questions around a common theme, or undertake research using several Pfizer drugs, or support multi-centre phase II clinical studies.

The deadline for applications is 5 February 2021.

To find out more and apply see the Breast Cancer Now website.

RS Contact: helen.burke@dcu.ie

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) would like to advise you that we are now inviting applications for funding under our Competitive Research Funding Programme for research that is neither commissioned nor carried out in-house by individual companies.

Eligible Research Performing Organisations are invited to submit proposals.  Further information regarding Institutional eligibility as well as the Call Specification, Guidelines for Applicants, and related documents, is available here. 

Completed application forms must be submitted, using DAFM’s Research Online Portal no later than 13:00  on 28 February 2021.

 Should you have any queries please refer to the FAQ document or direct them to research@agriculture.gov.ie

RS Contact: helen.burke@dcu.ie

The funder website, call documentation, and access to the online submission portal can be found here. The budget for projects is $50,000,  ranging from one to five years. Proposals are not limited to particular research topics, disciplines, designs or methods, however, they must be education research that aims to develop new knowledge and have a lasting impact on educational discourse.

Spencer have a suite of resources available  on their website for potential applicants to utilise, including the following webinar here.

The TORA deadline is set for the 22nd of February 2021 and applications must reach the funder by 18:00 (Irish time) on the 1st of March 2021.

RS contact: adam.platt@dcu.ie

The Trinity Challenge is a public challenge that invites research projects to promote the public good by the means of data & analytics. It funds teams to help them source and scale solutions that better protect people from future health emergencies, across areas including economics, behavioural sciences, epidemiology and many other disciplines. The Trinity Challenge focuses on three broad categories:

• Identification: Building early-warning systems and ground-breaking technologies to identify pathogens or outbreaks before they cause significant harm.

• Response: Developing insights and capabilities to target interventions with maximal effectiveness and at minimal cost.

• Recovery: Strengthening social and economic revival following health emergencies and constructing an equitable path toward an inclusive recovery.

Funding of more than £10 million is available to teams entering the Challenge. Applications can be made online by the 15th April 2021. See https://thetrinitychallenge.org/get-involved/ for further details. 

Additional insights from the Trinity Challenge CEO can be found in this Research Professional article: https://www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/funding/insight/2020/12/Opportunity-profile--Data-driven-prize-for-pandemic-protection--.html 

RS Contact: research@dcu.ie

The Marine Institute Networking & Marine Research Communication Awards are currently open for 2021 submissions. Due to Covid19 travel restrictions the Marine Institute are encouraging applicants to host or participate in virtual events and online training courses. Eligible costs relating to the organisation of virtual events can now be included in the application budget. Costs related to Open Access Publications and Media Productions are now eligible under the Networking & Marine Research Communications Awards. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the Applicant Guidelines and FAQs Document prior to application.

Award Categories:

Grant support is provided in the following categories:

• A. Hosting Workshops & Conferences: Maximum grant-aid available €2000.
• B. Research Awards - Event attendance: Maximum grant-aid €1,200 for travel outside Europe; €750 for travel within Europe.
• C. Other Networking & Marine Communication: Maximum grant-aid €1,200 for travel outside Europe; €750 for travel within Europe; €1,500 Open Access Publication; €1,500 Media Production.

Submission Deadlines:

• Thursday 25th February 2021
• Thursday 29th April 2021
• Thursday 24th June 2021
• Thursday 26th August 2021
• Thursday 28th October 2021

Application Process:

Applications must be submitted via the Marine Institute's online Application System Research Information Management System (RIMS). Application Forms are available to download from RIMS. Please note there are a number of changes to the 2021 Awards. Please refer to the Applicant Guidelines for information on the types of initiatives supported, how to register for RIMS, and the application procedure. Please see the FAQ document for general questions and queries in relation to the payment process. Applications submitted on the incorrect form or incomplete applications will be ineligible and will not go forward to the evaluation process.

This scheme is funded by the Marine Institute under the Marine Research Programme with the support of the Irish Government.

Notes:

• Applicants cannot receive more than 2 awards in any calendar year.
• Networking Awards are payable to organisations only.
• Applications are capped at max three applications per Research Group/Department per event.
• Applications must be submitted one month in advance of the event.
• Applications may be submitted for events taking place up to February 28th 2022

RS Contact: helen.burke@dcu.ie