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Ocean Country Partnership Programme
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) supports countries to manage the marine environment more sustainably, including by strengthening marine science expertise, developing science-based policy and management tools and creating educational resources for coastal communities. The programme is funded through official development assistance (ODA) as part of the UK’s £500 million Blue Planet Fund. Through the OCPP, the UK government partners with ODA-eligible countries to deliver positive impacts for coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems. Bilateral partnerships under the OCPP are primarily delivered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), agencies of the UK government that possess unique expertise in marine science and management. The OCPP also funds two international initiatives that align with its aims and help to develop global public goods, the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) and the Friends of Ocean Action (FOA). GOAP is a global, multi-stakeholder partnership established to enable countries and other stakeholders to effectively measure and manage progress towards sustainable ocean development. FOA is a platform hosted by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, which brings together ocean leaders from a wide range of sectors to encourage action and investment into sustainable ocean projects. GOAP and FOA are both strategic partners of the OCPP, and are funded by the Blue Planet Fund (BPF). They do however remain independent organisations from OCPP, BPF, and Defra. Their work, and its intended outcomes and impacts, are strategically aligned with the OCPP and complement its programming in bilateral partnerships. GOAP and FOA were originally developed as separate business cases under the BPF, then in 2022 introduced as integrated components under OCPP to provide a clearer overall BPF offer to recipient countries. The investment to GOAP supports ODA-eligible countries to develop 'ocean accounts' to more accurately and comprehensively capture data on the natural capital assets contained within their oceans. Using this data - and through further technical, advisory, and capacity building support - GOAP aims to ensure that biodiversity is valued and integrated into policy making, decision making, and infrastructure investments in these countries, resulting in the inclusive and sustainable use and management of the ocean. An initial investment of £1million was awarded to GOAP in FY 2021/2. Following good performance in year one, a further £6million of investment was awarded, split evenly over FY's 2022/3, 23/4, and 24/5; giving a total of £7million. From December 2023, following evidence of strong value for money, this investment has since been uplifted to a total of £14.2million, involving new and expanded scope for certain activities, as well as extending the strategic partnership into FY 2025/6. FOA is a multi-stakeholder platform hosted by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, which brings together ocean leaders from a wide range of sectors to encourage action and investment into sustainable ocean projects. FOA, working closely with the High Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy, aims to mobilise ocean leaders to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. Through OCPP the investment supports pillars of FOA's work that strategically align with OCPP's own outcomes. There was an initial investment of £1million to FOA in FY 2021/2. After FOA performed well against investment and performance criteria in year one, a further investment of £2million was awarded in both FY's 2022/3 and 2023/4; rounding total investment for FOA to £5million.
British Academy - ODA International Interdisciplinary Research Projects -International Science Partnerships Fund
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This funding initiative aims to foster international collaborations between early career researchers in the UK and their counterparts in Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, and Least Developed Countries. By focusing on interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences that is ODA-eligible, the program seeks to address global challenges through problem-focused, creatively innovative, and exploratory research. Projects should leverage diverse disciplinary perspectives for maximum impact, aligning with the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) thematic priorities. This activity, led by the British Academy with significant financial contributions from the Israel Science Foundation and the University of Virginia, and potential support from the Volkswagen Foundation, aims to support award-level partnerships across multiple countries. The Academy's goal is to enable equitable research partnerships that deliver excellence in understanding key global challenges. The flexible and scalable nature of the funding ensures it can support a wide range of partnerships, emphasizing the inclusion of at least one ISPF priority country in each project. This approach ensures that the research not only advances academic knowledge but also addresses the broader goals of international development and cooperation, fulfilling the primary objective of ODA to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.
British Academy - International Writing Workshops - International Science Partnerships Fund
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This activity brings together researchers from the priority countries, LDCs and the UK, journal editors and early career researchers in LDCs and priority countries in order to: support the development of early career academics with promise; promote uptake of Global South research in journals; and increase scholarly interaction between UK and researchers in LDCs and the priority countries. In advancing their careers, early career researchers from LDCs and priority countries are encouraged, supported and mentored in: developing competitive research publications in the humanities and social sciences; drafting grant applications; and building networks and connections with and beyond the UK. This also helps to develop mentoring and support networks that live long after the awards themselves. The call will require applicants to focus their awards on and with partners in LDCs and/or ODA ISPF priority countries.
International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF) - Institutional Support Grants - The Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Institutional Support Grant to the Department for the Economy (DfE) to cover Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities under the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). This funding provides flexible institutional grants that can be used strategically to support ODA eligible activity. This may include underpinning ISPF activity funded through other delivery partners, or by directly supporting research that addresses the problems faced by developing countries that are not funded through the ISPF grants of other delivery partners. Institutional Support Grants have been awarded to Queens University Belfast and Ulster University.
British Academy Agile Response to Emergencies - Researchers at Risk Fellowships
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The Researchers at Risk Fellowships Programme is being delivered by the British Academy on behalf of UK National Academies and in partnership with the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara). The Fellowships will support researchers at risk to continue their research in the UK for up to two years. The programme is receiving £3 million of funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), plus £8.88m from transition funding as the Global Challenges Research Fund closes and the new BEIS fund starts. The Nuffield Foundation, an independent charitable trust, is contributing £0.5 million towards the scheme.
International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF) - Institutional Support Grants - MEDR, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research Wales
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Institutional Support Grants to MEDR, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research Wales to cover Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities under the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). This funding provides flexible institutional grants that can be used strategically to support ODA eligible activity. This may include underpinning ISPF activity funded through other delivery partners, or by directly supporting research that addresses the problems faced by developing countries that are not funded through the ISPF grants of other delivery partners. Institutional Support Grants have been awarded to Cardiff University, Swansea University, Aberystwyth University and Bangor University.
Academy of Medical Sciences - Networking Awards
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The awards would provide up to £25,000 over one year to support collaborations between priority ODA countries and/or LDCs and the UK and to hold networking events aimed at addressing the priority themes identified for ISPF. The scheme would be a vehicle for researchers from across the disciplines to forge new links and generate innovative transdisciplinary research ideas. It's envisaged that these new networks will then be better positioned to compete for more substantive grants offered by future funding initiatives.
Academy of Medical Sciences - International Career Development Programme -International Science Partnerships Fund
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This programme builds on the Academy's extensive experience of developing programmes to support UK researchers through mentoring, tailored training in leadership, entrepreneurship and research soft skills and cohort-building Drawing on our experience of the ODA capacity building workshops piloted in 2022 and on recommendations that will emerge from the clinical research capacity building project, the career development programme will focus on identifying and fostering global best practice in supporting and connecting emerging research leaders across the health sciences sector (clinical, non-clinical, industry). Topics discussed and resources will be developed around wider leadership and entrepreneurship training, building supportive cohorts and in the second year connecting our UK cohorts with international emerging leaders for to exchange knowledge, foster collaborations and extend networks within life sciences. This activity potentially stimulate additional research impact by supporting researchers to thrive in their careers through opportunities for training, mentorship and cohort building, and also influence practice in terms of developing ways to support research careers and sharing best practice between UK and other countries. In addition, strengthen research capacity in developing countries by raising awareness and helping with the implementation of career support programmes that are important for researchers to thrive and be supported in carrying out their research, and working in partnership with organisations in partner countries, sharing best practice and forming connections between researchers in the UK and partner countries will strengthen the perceptions of UK research leadership and as a leader in the area of career development support. As with the global policy workshops, the ODA regional workshops will be developed and hosted in the ODA-eligible partner country and all outputs will be targeted towards the ODA-eligible partner country or region.
Academy of Medical Sciences - International Career Development Programme -International Science Partnerships Fund (FY25/26 onwards)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This programme builds on the Academy's extensive experience of developing programmes to support UK researchers through mentoring, tailored training in leadership, entrepreneurship and research soft skills and cohort-building Drawing on our experience of the ODA capacity building workshops piloted in 2022 and on recommendations that will emerge from the clinical research capacity building project, the career development programme will focus on identifying and fostering global best practice in supporting and connecting emerging research leaders across the health sciences sector (clinical, non-clinical, industry). Topics discussed and resources will be developed around wider leadership and entrepreneurship training, building supportive cohorts and in the second year connecting our UK cohorts with international emerging leaders for to exchange knowledge, foster collaborations and extend networks within life sciences. This activity potentially stimulate additional research impact by supporting researchers to thrive in their careers through opportunities for training, mentorship and cohort building, and also influence practice in terms of developing ways to support research careers and sharing best practice between UK and other countries. In addition, strengthen research capacity in developing countries by raising awareness and helping with the implementation of career support programmes that are important for researchers to thrive and be supported in carrying out their research, and working in partnership with organisations in partner countries, sharing best practice and forming connections between researchers in the UK and partner countries will strengthen the perceptions of UK research leadership and as a leader in the area of career development support. As with the global policy workshops, the ODA regional workshops will be developed and hosted in the ODA-eligible partner country and all outputs will be targeted towards the ODA-eligible partner country or region.
DARA Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Phase 3
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This proposal is to continue, deepen and expand the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project. DARA is a human capital development programme with the principal aim to develop high tech skills in radio astronomy in the eight developing African countries that partner with South Africa in the hosting of the mid-frequency telescope of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The first two phases utilized the Newton Fund and delivered a basic training to over 300 young people as well as Masters and PhD level training. This proposal is once again a bilateral UK-SA project bidding for Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding as part of the Tomorrow's Talent strand of the new International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF). In this new phase we will extend the HCD pipeline to establish postdoctoral fellows in African partner institutions for the first time. The aim is to complete the establishment of radio astronomy research groups in each partner country so that their citizens can fully engage with the SKA project. We will also continue the basic and Masters level training programme. This third phase will also encompass elements of the DARA Big Data sister project to deepen the training in machine learning techniques required to analyse SKA data and embed synergies with Earth Observation data. We will also continue and expand our partnership with the space sector to showcase how the skills of radio astronomy can be utilized to address development challenges in Africa. The industrial partners also bring entrepreneurship and business start-up experience. Overall, the DARA project addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of increasing high tech skills, research activity and international cooperation.
CERN Non-Member State Doctoral Student Programme
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The CERN and Society foundation run PhD student placements for researchers from non-member states, funded through partner contributions. Through this programme STFC will provide funding to cover costs for students from Sub Saharan African countries that are on the DAC list to participate in CERN’s Non-Member State Doctoral Student Programme for the first time. Enabling up to 5 high-calibre students in particle physics, applied physics, information technology/computing and engineering from CERN non-member states to obtain world-class exposure, supervision and training in scientific and technological activities at CERN.
African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications Graduate Summer School Programme
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The African School of Fundamental Physics (ASP) runs an annual programme supporting graduate and postgraduate physicists from ISPF priority African countries (Kenya, South Africa plus LDCs). High calibre students are selected to attend a two-week 'summer school' in Morocco in July 2024 which aims to increase applied physics skills, increase the diversity of the physics research base, and increase engagement with university facilities. One-year’s funding enables 10-15 students from ISPF Priority Countries to attend in 2024. A 3-year sponsorship would support two schools and one conference, covering travel and subsistence for students/researchers, who would otherwise be unable to attend. STFC is working directly with ASP to support this programme which will benefit the African physics research community enabling mobility and networking.
Characterization of high-energy neutron beams at iThemba LABS for use in irradiation of electronics
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The project aims to characterize high-energy quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams at iThemba LABS for applications in irradiation testing of electronics. High-energy neutron facilities are crucial for testing the effects of atmospheric radiation, induced by cosmic rays, on electronics. The increasing need of reliable electronics is today coming from many growing sectors, like vehicle electrification, automation, and internet infrastructure. The project will evaluate neutron fluxes, spectra, and beam uniformity at energies from 50 to 200 MeV. A variety of neutron techniques, that have been developed and used at the ISIS neutron source of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, will be deployed to perform a complete characterization and a cross-calibration with the ChipIR beamline. Silicon and diamond detectors will be used for their well-known neutron energy response combined with fast signals that allow for time of flight measurements. Activation foils will measure neutron flux and energy distribution with direct reference to nuclear cross sections. SRAM-based detectors will monitor Single Event Upsets to measure neutron flux and beam profiles, aiding cross-calibration with existing facilities like ChipIR at ISIS. This comprehensive approach ensures robust testing and confidence for using these beams for microelectronics testing application. The research teams at ISIS and iThemba LABS have a proven track-record in neutron measurements and instrumentation development as well as operation of fast neutron user facilities. Each team is led by an internationally recognised expert. The total project budget of £ 211k consists of STFC staff time, equipment, calibration at a third reference facility and travel&subsistence. The equipment cost includes silicon and diamond detectors, activation foils, electronics and SRAM based monitors. South Africa is the country that will directly benefit from this Official Development Assistance (ODA) project. A desired outcome of this project is to expand the international user base of the quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams at iThemba LABS for applications in irradiation testing of electronics. On top of being an international centre of excellence, the particle accelerators operated by iThemba LABS can make a huge contribution towards improving the quality of the lives of South African citizens. As an example of direct societal and regional benefit, iThemba LABS uses accelerated proton beams to facilitate the production of radiopharmaceuticals. These radioisotopes are used amongst others for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumours, prostate cancer and positron annihilation studies. iThemba LABS in general contributes towards developing a cohort of future researchers in nuclear measurements, instrumentation, and related applications.
Optical diagnostics system for ion sources
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (UK) and iThemba LABS (South Africa) will collaborate on the development of optical diagnostics systems for ion sources. Optical diagnostics will be used to improve ion source availability for accelerators and their applications. The diagnostics system will guide decisions on adjustments of the ion source control parameters and provide information for the technological development of ion sources at iThemba LABS. The time-resolved optical diagnostics system will be first developed and tested in the UK using existing ion source test facilities at ISIS. The system will then be deployed in South Africa. The main features of the optical diagnostics system are good time-resolution, wavelength selectivity, capability for simultaneous monitoring of several emission bands and ease-of-use. The setup is based on bandpass filters providing selectivity and silicon photomultiplier detectors providing high-sensitivity and good temporal resolution. The proposed work builds on pioneering development of optical diagnostics at ISIS. The ISIS Low Energy Beams Group (LEBG) have used time-resolved optical diagnostics to study the plasmas of the ISIS Penning and prototype RF ion sources, and for the detection of beam-induced light emission to study the space charge compensation in the low energy beam transport. We will utilise the ion source and low energy beam transport test facilities at ISIS for further prototyping of the diagnostics tool developed for iThemba LABS, which makes the approach efficient and mitigates the risk related to the prototyping stage. The risk related to technology transfer is minimised by arranging a training period for iThemba LABS staff at ISIS where they are trained to use the prototype diagnostics device for monitoring a real ion source and to carry out the data analysis. The research teams at ISIS and iThemba LABS have a proven track-record in ion source and plasma diagnostics development as well as operation of ion sources at accelerator-based user facilities. Each team is led by an internationally recognised expert. The project budget consists of STFC staff time, equipment and travel & subsistence. The equipment cost includes vacuum components, optical fibres, optical components, spectrometers, silicon photomultiplier diodes, pre-amplifier components, power supplies, oscilloscopes and data acquisition computers. Several experimental campaigns attended by researchers from each laboratory will be conducted during the project. The country that will directly benefit from this Official Development Assistance (ODA) project is South Africa. The particle accelerators operated by iThemba LABS can make a huge contribution towards improving the quality of the lives of South African citizens. As an example of direct societal and regional benefit, iThemba LABS uses accelerated proton beams to facilitate the production of radiopharmaceuticals. These radioisotopes are used amongst others for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumours, prostate cancer and positron annihilation studies. Some of these radioisotopes are used for cardiac and neurological applications and these are produced solely for local clients due to the half-life of the isotopes. iThemba LABS in general contributes towards developing a sufficiently trained cohort of future researchers. The charged particle beams of all these applications are delivered by the ion sources operated by iThemba LABS. The proposed technology transfer of the optical diagnostics system is foreseen to improve the usability and reliability of the ion sources, resulting in better utilisation of the accelerator facilities addressing these development goals and challenges.
International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) - Institutional Support Grant for Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible activities University of Lincoln
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Institutional Support Grant has been awarded to the University of Lincoln. This funding provides flexible institutional grants that can be used strategically to support activities that are Official Development Assistance (ODA) compliant as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This may include underpinning ISPF activity funded through other delivery partners, or by directly supporting research that addresses the problems faced by developing countries that are not funded through the ISPF grants of other delivery partners.
International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) - Institutional Support Grant for Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible activities University of Liverpool
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Institutional Support Grant has been awarded to the University of Liverpool. This funding provides flexible institutional grants that can be used strategically to support activities that are Official Development Assistance (ODA) compliant as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This may include underpinning ISPF activity funded through other delivery partners, or by directly supporting research that addresses the problems faced by developing countries that are not funded through the ISPF grants of other delivery partners.
International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) - Institutional Support Grant for Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible activities Liverpool Hope University
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Institutional Support Grant has been awarded to the Liverpool Hope University. This funding provides flexible institutional grants that can be used strategically to support activities that are Official Development Assistance (ODA) compliant as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This may include underpinning ISPF activity funded through other delivery partners, or by directly supporting research that addresses the problems faced by developing countries that are not funded through the ISPF grants of other delivery partners.
International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) - Institutional Support Grant for Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible activities Liverpool John Moores University
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Institutional Support Grant has been awarded to the Liverpool John Moores University. This funding provides flexible institutional grants that can be used strategically to support activities that are Official Development Assistance (ODA) compliant as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This may include underpinning ISPF activity funded through other delivery partners, or by directly supporting research that addresses the problems faced by developing countries that are not funded through the ISPF grants of other delivery partners.
International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) - Institutional Support Grant for Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible activities Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Institutional Support Grant has been awarded to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. This funding provides flexible institutional grants that can be used strategically to support activities that are Official Development Assistance (ODA) compliant as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This may include underpinning ISPF activity funded through other delivery partners, or by directly supporting research that addresses the problems faced by developing countries that are not funded through the ISPF grants of other delivery partners.
International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) - Institutional Support Grant for Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible activities London Business School
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Institutional Support Grant has been awarded to the London Business School. This funding provides flexible institutional grants that can be used strategically to support activities that are Official Development Assistance (ODA) compliant as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This may include underpinning ISPF activity funded through other delivery partners, or by directly supporting research that addresses the problems faced by developing countries that are not funded through the ISPF grants of other delivery partners.
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