Dear all,

this item is based on one in today's GeolSoc online newsletter.
I followed the link and have attached some more information.
Science was saved from a budget cut in the Comprehensive
Spending Review by the inclusion of this fund, so we (UK
geoscientists) need to find ways of using it - at least that was
the message I got from the RAS Solid Earth Geophysics Forum
meeting in January.

Sheila Peacock,
list co-owner.

The GeolSoc said:

In the 2015 Autumn Statement the Government announced “a new £1.5 billion Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), to ensure UK science takes the lead in addressing the problems faced by developing countries, whilst developing our ability to deliver cutting-edge research”.

Research Councils UK have launched a call for evidence to gather views on the ‘high-level challenges’ that will form the basis of the funding calls. This new fund could apply to a number of geoscience research areas as they relate to international development and this is an opportunity to have your say on the priority areas.

Submission is via an online survey and the deadline is *Monday 22 August*. (at 16:00 UK time).

http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/funding/gcrf/gcrf-call-for-evidence/

My additional information:

The official guidance for this fund (link above)
is at pains to define "Official Development Assistance" (ODA)
(beware this abbreviation is no longer for "Overseas Development
Administration"), as:

“ODA is defined as those flows to countries and territories on the DAC List of ODA
Recipients and to multilateral development institutions which are:
• provided by official agencies, including state and local governments, or by their
executive agencies; and
• each transaction of which:
a. is administered with the promotion of the economic development and welfare
of developing countries as its main objective; and
b. is concessional in character and conveys a grant element of at least 25%
(discounted at a rate of 10%).”
All GCRF awards made by the delivery partners automatically comply with the first bullet and
(b). Applicants need to ensure that (a) is met by the proposal they are writing and the
resultant activity."

There is an official list of countries eligible for this assistance. It includes
all "low and middle income" countries and territories, except
for G8 members, EU members and countries with a firm date for entry
into the EU.

The survey is an online form accessible from the link page.