Hi Gareth,
Thanks for the explanation - it might help if STFC themselves took this approach when they're dealing with applicants.
I just looked through my correspondence with STFC (Robin Clegg) from when I complained about the system in 2013 and it's very low on sympathy - and there's certainly little acknowledgement that there was any problem with the system(s).
Robin Clegg (Head of STFC Science & Society) stated "we've had 25 successful applications" when explaining away the problems.
25 applications(!) - is that a successful take-up for a nation-wide PE funding stream? No, it's not.
It's great that the STFC are supporting PE - but it shouldn't be seen as a luxury when it is a 'key function' of STFC (and PE is supposed to be high on all RC agendas): http://www.stfc.ac.uk/2474.aspx
Anyway, hope one day it's all sorted out and STFC receive more applications from more diverse groups to inspire more people.
Best,
Wynn
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James,Gareth
Sent: 19 March 2015 08:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] STFC Small Awards Scheme Call for proposals
Morning all
I'm going to chip in to save Neville the trouble. It may not end the arguments but it may help to explain why you are unlikely to get anywhere.
I was running the STFC grant funding schemes under Robin Clegg between 2007 and 2009 just after STFC formed from PPARC and CCLRC. It was also at a time when the government were looking to achieve savings and to do some rationalisation. One of the decisions made was that the Research Councils should try to save money and improve processes by looking to have a Shared Services Centre (SSC) that would look after all common functions across the Councils such as procurement, HR and grant administration. After the some serious cuts were made to all Council budgets in 2008 STFC was left as the only Council offering a range of accessible PE grants open to almost anyone; however, we were told that the provision of grants had to be administered under the SSC system, which was predominantly set up for administering research grants. We didn't like it as we knew we would be disrupting an effective process by trying to use a new, online model that had all sorts of issues and was not intended to be used for open-access PE grants. The old system worked and it is the one upon which we have modelled our grant funding schemes at the IET.
I moved on before the process got too far underway but I know from my former colleagues that the whole thing was a very painful process to go through. Obviously I can't speak for STFC nowadays but I would suggest that they are unlikely to want or be able to revert. Also, I'd like to point out that there was a commitment from the STFC staff and board to commit to supporting public engagement even when other Research Councils were cutting their Science In Society/PE teams and programmes to save budgets, so there should be an appreciation of the effort that has gone into preserving this line of funding for the science communications community.
All the best
Gareth
Gareth James
Head of Education 5-19
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Michael Faraday House,
Six Hills Way, Stevenage UK SG1 2AY
Tel: +44 1438 767340
Mob: +44 7725 498117
On 18 Mar 2015, at 18:48, Neil Monteiro <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Wynn, you’re not alone - I know a few people on the list that have given up applying to this fund in frustration.
Neville, is there anything that can be done to make the application process simpler? At the moment I think it pretty much excludes a lot of people from applying - especially freelancers who can’t invest the required time to apply for what are relatively small grants.
That said, good luck to anyone applying - I know there’s been a lot of good work done by this fund.
Neil
Neil Monteiro
www.neilmonteiro.com<http://www.neilmonteiro.com>
m. 07786717708
t: @NeilMonteiro
On 18 Mar 2015, at 12:21, Wynn Abbott <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Neville –
I see you’re still using that ridiculous online application system a few years after the nightmare experience I had with it (I’m sure I’m not the only one).
“Up to 4 weeks to register for an online application system” really is a joke isn’t it?
It’s like the internet was invented to torture us and waste our time (...maybe it was, mmm).
...
I can’t access the pdf guidance link below so I can’t see whether you’ve made it clear there’s a TWO-STEP final submission of online applications via this system.
Surely STFC has enough funds to work out a better system than this – the most over complicated digital mess I’ve ever come across, which is ironic for a system which funds public engagement.
Good luck to applicants.
NB: Make sure you check that the application has been submitted and not held in some mysterious online repository awaiting further action.
</rant>
Wynn
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Neville Hollingworth
Sent: 18 March 2015 11:53
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [PSCI-COM] STFC Small Awards Scheme Call for proposals
All
The STFC Public Engagement Small Awards 2015A<http://www.stfc.ac.uk/1838.aspx> call is open. The call for proposals closes at 4.00pm on Thursday 30th April..
The scheme provides funds for small, local or 'pilot' projects promoting STFC science and technology. Almost anyone can apply, including grant-funded research groups, STFC research facility users, schools, museums, etc. Awards range from £500 to £10,000 and the expenditure can go towards materials, salaries and travel & subsistence.
Projects must be relevant to publicising engagement or teaching about the STFC science and technology areas, namely:
• particle physics;
• nuclear physics;
• space, ionospheric, solar and planetary science;
• astronomy;
• astrophysics;
• cosmology
• studying materials with muon and neutron sources
• studying materials with synchrotron light sources
• research using laser facilities
Applicants should also consult the STFC Public Engagement Strategy<http://www.stfc.ac.uk/files/1328/1328_res_2.pdf> in advance of submitting your proposal and are also encouraged (if applicable) to consider working with under-represented audiences such as girls and young women in engineering and physics, groups in areas geographically remote from STEM activity and underperforming schools.
Please see the notes for guidance<http://www.stfc.ac.uk/files/1838/1838_res_3.pdf> for further information.
All applications must be submitted through the RCUK Joint electronic submission (Je-S) (link opens in a new window) system. E-mailed or hard copy applications will not be accepted. Please be aware that it may take up to four weeks for organisations to register for the first time on the Je-S system.
For further information and advice please contact Andy Thompson<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Tel: 01793 442098
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