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Schemes for Engineers in Research and Development
Research Exchanges with China and India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Eligibility
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Who is eligible?
Researchers should have an
excellent and established track record in research.
All researchers travelling overseas must be at
post-doctoral level or above (or demonstrate
equivalent research experience).
The UK and overseas
researchers applying should have a permanent
position at a University or Research Institute.
Industrial researchers and
establishments are not eligible.
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I don’t have a PhD. Can I still apply?
Candidates who do not have a PhD, but have considerable research experience at an equivalent level are eligible to apply. PhD students are not eligible to apply.
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I don’t work in an engineering department. Am I still eligible?
A broad range of disciplines is regarded as “engineering” for the purposes of this scheme. This includes, among many others, biotechnology, petrochemicals, offshore engineering, geotechnics,
water resources, building services,
telecommunications, optics, lasers, information
technology, energy conservation, manufacturing,
applied mechanics, bioengineering, materials,
aeronautical, maritime, naval.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for this scheme
please contact the Academy.
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What if I am not a UK/Chinese/Indian national?
Applicants must be citizens of the UK (or EU)/China/India respectively. Non-EU citizens can apply to go to China/India provided they have held a salaried research position at a UK Institution for at least three consecutive years by 31 Dec 2012. Non-Indian or non-Chinese citizens living in those countries can apply to visit the UK providing they have held a salaried research position at an Indian/Chinese research Institution for at least three consecutive years by the same date.
Can government research institutes take part in the exchange?
Educational research institutions are eligible to apply.
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I am working in industry. Am I eligible to apply?
Unfortunately this scheme is only open to academic researchers.
The Academy runs other schemes open to industrial researchers.
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Are visits to or from Taiwan and Hong Kong eligible for this scheme?
Exchanges with Hong Kong are eligible under this scheme,
but unfortunately Taiwan is not included.
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I am finishing a PhD and interested in applying. Am I eligible to apply?
Visiting researchers must be at post-doctoral level or above at the time
of submission of the application, unless they can demonstrate equivalent research experience.
Host
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Are exchanges between China and India allowed?
No, exchanges are bilateral between the UK and China and the UK and India.
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Can you help me find a host?
The Host and Visiting Researchers must make the necessary contact
with each other directly. The Academy will not provide introductions or liaison with
prospective hosts on behalf of applicants.
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Can I visit more than one host?
Yes, however these must be
clearly described in the application form submitted and the benefits of the
visits outlined. The details of the principal host will be required.
Project
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Which areas can the proposed research focus on?
Applications are welcomed from all areas of engineering
research, especially those broadly related to: energy and climate change, health
and wellbeing and poverty reduction.
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How long does the exchange last?
Awards last 3-12 months.
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Are multiple visits to the host allowed?
The funding will only pay for a single return airfare to the Host Institution.
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Can I apply for more than one award?
Only one application can be
accepted from any single UK academic researcher.
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What is the minimum length of each leg for joint Awards?
The minimum length of time for each visit for a joint Award is 3 months.
This will ideally be in one continuous stretch. If you would like to split this into shorter visits
please contact the scheme manager. The funding will only pay for one return airfare for each leg
of the exchange.
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What is a work programme?
This is a detailed plan of the proposed research to be
carried out with targets and deadlines. More information is given in the Notes for Guidance.
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What if I need to cut short the project before the agreed end date?
If you are unable to complete the full period of the exchange, the funding
awarded will be repayable to the Academy on a pro rata basis, taking into account necessary expenses
already incurred.
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What if there are equipment failures which delay the project?
The Academy would be willing to consider a short extension to
allow the completion of the agreed work. However, no additional funding would be provided.
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What if the project changes significantly during the exchange?
If you need to change the direction of the research during the exchange,
the Academy would consider a revised case for support, but this would only be possible in
exceptional circumstances.
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What are the arrangements for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)?
The Academy expects the Host and Visiting Researchers to agree in
writing on IPR before the start of the exchange. Any agreement should allow for agreed
dissemination activity to be undertaken unhindered. The Academy will not have any claim
on research funded by the scheme.
Funding
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How will the funding be paid?
Funding will be paid to the UK Institution on receipt of an invoice
sent by the UK Institution as outlined in the scheme agreement. No more than
90% of the total
approved estimated cost for Awards will be transferred to
the UK Institution when the Award is made. The remaining funds will be released after the
completion of the Exchange and receipt of the end of project report one month after the
completion of the Exchange.
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When will it be paid?
Funding will be paid to the UK Institution on receipt of an invoice
sent by the UK Institution. Full details will be given in the Award letter to successful candidates.
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Who will the funding be paid to?
Funding will be paid to the UK Institution. They will have a contractual
responsibility to pass the funding to the Visiting Researcher.
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What can the funding be used for?
Please note that the funding provided is not a salary but a grant to
cover travel, accommodation, living expenses and visas. No more than 10% of this Award may be
used to cover project costs - to include project specific consumables and cost of
conference and seminar attendance directly related to the research area. Funding cannot
be used to pay for staff costs, administration costs or running costs of the Host Institution.
Please note that the funding is not calculated on the basis of full economic costs.
Additional costs must be met by the Host Institution.
Domestic Arrangements
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Can my family accompany or visit me?
The cost of family accompanying the Visiting Researcher
or any visits by family members will not be paid for by the Award.
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Who is responsible for arranging visa, work permits and travel and accommodation?
The Host and Visiting Researcher are jointly responsible for the practical
arrangements of the exchange. The Academy can provide supporting documentation to assist
with visa applications.
Application Process
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Where can I get copies of the application form and Notes for Guidance?
These are available under Research Exchanges with China and India.
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When is the closing date for the scheme?
The deadline for applications is 12pm on
12 October 2012. The Academy will send an email to the UK researcher to acknowledge receipt of the application.
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How are proposals assessed?
The assessment of the
applications will be split into two stages. The
first stage is a peer review. Each application will
be sent one or two referees. One
referee will be from the same field of research and another referee will be chosen from
a different field of research.
The refereed applications will
then be assessed by a sift panel of Academy Fellows
who are experts in the engineering research
community. The panel will rank the applications,
informed by the comments made by the referees, and
carry out the final selection of successful
proposals. The Academy will notify all applicants by post of the final decision, through the UK researcher, by the end of
March 2013.
For successful applicants a contract and full terms and conditions
will be sent together with the award letter. The contract must be signed by the Academy,
the Host Researcher and the Visiting Researcher before funding will be awarded and the
Exchange can start.
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How long will the application process last?
The Academy will notify all applicants
by email of the final decision, through the UK researcher, by the end of
March 2013. Exchanges can start no earlier than 6 weeks after the Award has been made (i.e. mid May 2013).
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When and how will I be notified if I am successful?
The Academy will notify all applicants by
email of the final decision, through the UK researcher, by the end of
March 2013.
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What happens after an offer is made?
For successful applicants a scheme agreement letter will be sent
together with the award letter. The contract must be signed by the Academy, the Host
Researcher and the visiting Researcher before funding will be awarded and the Exchange
can start. No more than 90% of the total Award will be transferred to the UK Institution
when the Award is made. The remaining funds will be released after the completion of the
Exchange and receipt of the end of project report one month after the completion of the Exchange.
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When can the exchange start and finish by?
Exchanges can start no earlier than 6 weeks after the Award has been made (i.e mid May 2013). Awards must be completed within 18 months of the
start date.
Monitoring
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How is the scheme monitored?
A joint end of project report of 1000-1500 words must be submitted by the
Visiting Researcher and Host Researcher within one month of completion of the visit, describing
the main achievements enabled by the Award and future plans.
A further follow up report of up to 1000 words from the
UK
Researcher will be submitted 12 months after completion, describing
the activities resulting from the Exchange.
[E-mail Catherine Lawrence]
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