European and International Research Support

The team's remits are around:

Dissemination	Raising awareness of relevant EU and international calls and matching opportunities with academic interests together. This is done through one to one meetings, workshops, targetted communication and attending meetings such as departmental seminars and away day.
Help with proposal development	Support academic staff with their research applications from idea development, commenting to costing and form completion
Harnessing expertise	Identifying academics who are internationally active and working with them to understand how we can support them better and also learn from them and use their expertise to encourage other academics to apply for international funding.
Early ideas	Identifying opportunities e.g. a new funder or collaboration opportunuity very early on leading to EU and International proposals.
Help with of successful EU-funded awards	Support projects and PIs at EU post-award, from grant preparation to hands-on help to projects.
Strategic relationships	Managing the University relationship with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre collaboration and Goethe University Frankfurt.
Europe Hub	Manage the University Office in Brussels (our Europe Hub)

Birmingham International Engagement Fund	BEIF supports any engagement activities outside the UK that increase the international academic reputation of the University for example partnership and proposal building activities that could be relevant GCRF and H2020 for example. You can find out how to apply by clicking here.
Horizon 2020 calls 2018-2020	The European Commission has published scoping papers for the Horizon 2020 work programmes 2018-2020.  These papers outline the main priorities over the next three years for each pat of H2020 and will form the basis for the development of the work programmes.  Below you will find a link to the overaching document that includes the 17 thematic scoping papers. More information:   Thematic areas Search for topics that may be relevant to you
Horizon Europe: the EU funding programme after 2020	Horizon European is the name of the programme that will follow Horizon 2020. The first calls will open open at the end of 2020 and it will run until 2027. The European Commission has released its proposal for the new programme. They are calling for a budget close to €100billion. The UK is seeking association to the new programme meaning that we hope to be able to take part and apply as before. More information:  EU&I team Factsheet Details of the potential themes for collaborative projects Horizon Europe official page

Horizon 2020 

This the main programme for research and innovation from the European Union consisting of a wealth of funding opportunities to support our research activities running to 2020.

Following the result of the UK EU referendum vote the UK will exit from the EU but we can continue to apply to Horizon 2020 until the date of Brexit (likely to be March 2019), with all proposals submitted until that date being underwritten by HM Treasury.  At this stage we do not know if the UK will retain any association with FP9 (the next programme).

 Brexit

BREXIT has made us all think about the future of funding outside the EU, we have benefitted greatly from EU funding for some time and hopefully will continue to do so in whatever guise but it is timely that we start thinking more creatively and exploring other avenues to either expand on or explore.  This is what we know about the effect to EU funding:

• That UK Treasury have guaranteed funding for H2020 grants that are, at time of actual Brexit, are already live and signed and even applied for.
• The EU Commission have briefed their evaluators to be aware of unconscious bias when evaluating applications. 

When thinking outside Europe, we are already looking to a number of funders including the National Institutes of Health, the Human Frontiers Science Programme, EMBO.  Workshops on these funders are also orgnaised through the team and are advertised routinely through our research fora circulation list (if you wish to be included in this please email Sally Wiley at s.a.wiley@bham.ac.uk. 

This the main programme for research and innovation from the European Union consisting of a wealth of funding opportunities to support our research activities running to 2020.

Following the result of the UK EU referendum vote the UK will exit from the EU but we can continue to apply to Horizon 2020 until the date of Brexit (likely to be March 2019), with all proposals submitted until that date being underwritten by HM Treasury.  At this stage we do not know if the UK will retain any association with FP9 (the next programme).

Available resources

• Common Funding Routes:  This provides an overview of the common H2020 funding routes. Click here to view .
• Support:  Through our dedicated team of experts you will receive support, from cradle to grave, around your application including proposal development support (see below for list of contacts).
• Birmingham Engagement Fund:   Supporting engagement activities outside the UK to increase the international academic reputation of the University for example partnership and proposal building activities that could be relevant GCRF and H2020 for example.  Details of how to apply  are available here.
• External H2020 support:  The official H2020 website and keyword search for H2020 provides you with a wealth of information and guidance.

Centrally-managed funding to engage with international peers

A number of internal funding routes exist to enable engagement with the University's partner countries.  Details of these can be found here. 

A part of the University's European Strategy, the team are responsible for the research engagement relationship of the following institutions:

European Commission's Joint Reserach Centre where we currently have a live Collaborative Agreement that will be renewed once the outcome of Brexit is known.  Further details can be here https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/International/global-engagement/joint-research-centre/index.aspx

• German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) where we have just extended our 12 month MoU by three years to 2022.  Further information on current activity areas can be found at https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/finance/RSS/research-development/euandinternational/euengagement/BAM.aspx

Please contact Sally Wiley, S.A.Wiley@bham.ac.uk, Ext 43884 for any queries relating to the above.

Internal International Engagement Fact Sheets

Understanding how to identify and grow international collaborations can be tricky.  To help with this a number of country funder fact sheets have been created that provide tips on engagement routes as well as highlighting funding opportunities to consider.

• Australia
• US
• Brazil
• China
• Germany
• Japan
• Norway
• Netherlands

Selection of UK organisations supporting international activity

• Research Councils UK has an international section which provides an introduction to the international work of the 7 Research Councils including international strategy, funding, activities and overseas teams (in China, India, US and Europe)
• British Academy International Partnership and Mobility Scheme
• Royal Society International Exchanges Scheme
• Leverhulme Trust International Networks
• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
• Wellcome Trust

Working with US Federal Funders and Conflicts of Interest (CoI)

in 2016 the University's Executive Board approved the implementation of a dedicated CoI US Conflicts of Interest Policy for use with US federal funding (particularly the US Department of Health & Human Services and US Public Health Services funding applications).  

What this means is that researchers seeking to apply for US federal funding, either direct or as part of a sub-award with a US collaborator, are required to disclose any financial and/or other conflicts of interest that could compromise the trustworthiness of their work in research proposals, publications and public communications as well as in all review activities.

Such individuals are therefore REQUIRED,  before applying, to complete the following documentation, electronically forwarding each to Sally Wiley, Research and Innovation Services, Finance Office (s.a.wiley@bham.ac.uk):

• NIH FCOI Training tutorial with the last page signed and forward to the University Official.
• The "Declaration of Significant Financial Interests: Form for Investigators" signed and returned as above.

Please ensure you use Google Chrome when accessing the above sites.

The University CoI US Conflicts of Interest Policy document contains a flow chart demonstrating the assessment routes that will be adopted for any identified CoIs.

Any queries should be directed to Sally Wiley at s.a.wiley@bham.ac.uk 

Support

The "need help" section within this page will signpost you to the relevant individuals.

The team offer dedicated post-award support to all H2020 award holders.  This function is led by Kathleen Hyne (see contact details below)).

The Europe Hub is part of the the University’s new Europe Strategy providing a central focal point for us to engage across within Europe and beyond. The Hub, located right in the heart of the EU neighbourhood in Brussels, provides an ideal place to raise both your personal profile and that of the University across not only Europe but through Brussels-based and international stakeholders represented in Brussels.

The Europe Hub boasts excellent facilities including meeting rooms (up to 120 seats), reception facilities, a collaborative working space and Executive Suite.  Facilities are staffed and bookable free of charge for UoB staff. The Hub is easily accessible from the main airport and train stations.

This free space provides access for you to:  

• Two meeting spaces with the capacity to seat 120 or 60-60 when divided.
• Reception facilities.
• Networking area for hosting individual meetings or for event networking. 
• Access to a Brussels based Policy Officer .
• Collaborative working table.
• Executive suite for high-profile activities.
• Free access to wifi, photocopying, video conferencing

The University Europe Hub is located in the EU Quarter in Brussels close to the main European Commission buildings, European Parliament, UK Permanent Representation and key policy stakeholders.

You can see the various activities the office is used for via this events page.

Further information:

• Powerpoint presentation on the space and facilities available
• Brochure
• How our Brussels based Policy Officer can support you.  
• Sally Wiley (s.a.wiley@bham.ac.uk).

The EU and International Team run a number of internal information workshops focused on EU and international funding and post award aspects of EU projects.  Below is a calendar of events togehter with details of how you can see presentatons from our workshops.

Calendar of events 2020

January

• 29th:  Overview of Human Frontier Science Programme/EMBO (Excellence in Life Sciences).

February

• 12th:  Applying to the US National Institutes of Health

March

• 18th:  Marie Curie Individual Fellowships Overview

April

• 8th:  Overview of European Research Council schemes.

May

• 6th:  Application tips for US National Institutes of Health 

June

• 10th:  Marie Curie Innovation Training Network Overview.

July

• 1st:   Marie Curie Individual Fellowship Grant Writing 

September

• 16th:  European Research Council Overview.

October

• 7th: Marie Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) Grant Writing Workshop

November  

• 4th November:  Marie Curie Research & Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) Overview

December

• 2nd December: European Research Council (ERC) Overview

Workshops ordinarily run between 1 and 2.30pm but this will be confirmed in the confimraiton email prior to the event.

If you wish to register for a workshop or wish to receive email notification of up and coming events please contact Gail Bond either by email g.bond@bham.ac.uk, or via telephone at 0121 414 8568.

Presentation material

Material presented at our workshops can be obtained from our events page at https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/finance/RSS/research-development/euandinternational/workshops/presentations.aspx.

Team lead

Xavier Rodde
Ext: 43880
Email: x.rodde@bham.ac.uk

Internal and external relationships and engagements.
Coordinaiton of the Dubai research programme.

For funding opportunities and bid development

Group leader:
Eleonore Dispersyn-Nievergelt

For staff in EPS (Chemistry; Chemical Engineering; Engineering)
Karen Atkins
(partime - 50%FTE- Monday to Friday)
Ext: 48645
Email: K.L.Atkins@bham.ac.uk

For staff in EPS (Computer Science, Physics, Met and Mat)
Neringa Collier
(partime - 50%FTE- Monday to Thursday)
Ext: 58995
Email: n.collier@bham.ac.uk

For staff in EPS (Chemistry; Chemical Engineering; Engineering)
Karen Atkins
(partime - 50%FTE- Monday to Friday)
Ext: 48645
Email: K.L.Atkins@bham.ac.uk

For Staff in  CoSS
Eleonore Dispersyn-Nievergelt
ext:
58996
51080 (Wed only) 
Email: E.Dispersyn-Nievergelt@bham.ac.uk

For staff in LES
Eleonore Dispersyn-Nievergelt
ext:
58996
51080 (Wed only) 
Email: E.Dispersyn-Nievergelt@bham.ac.uk

For Europe Hub, links with the JRC and BAM

Sally Wiley
Ext: 43884
Email s.a.wiley@bham.ac.uk

• External engagement with strategic research partners.
• Management and support for Europe Hub Office.
• Delivery one-off key projects and tasks e.g. Rutherford Fund.
• Manages the University’s US funders Conflict of Interest Policy.

For proposal budgeting, technical aspects of bids and grant preparations

For staff in all Colleges

Tim Read
For costings and budgeting
Ext: 49543
Email: j.t.read@bham.ac.uk

Gail Bond
For admin support to academics for proposals and grant preparation
Ext: 48586
Email: g.bond@bham.ac.uk

Help with budgeting your research project and put together costings

Help with completing the proposals forms

Help with the grant preparation phase (from successful proposal to contract)

For help with live EU projects

Kathleen Hynes
Lead person for post award support
(Caroline Marshall retired in September 2019)
ext: 47815
Email: k.m.hynes@bham.ac.uk

Richard Sutton
(Monday to Thursday)
Assists with the compilation of EU project audit files

Ext: 43883
Email r.sutton@bham.ac.uk

Supports academic staff, professional services and project appointed staff in the delivery of EU funded projects.

Identifies and solves wide-scale delivery problems before or as they arise.

Manages the EU funded project audit files.