H2020COFUND2015–2022

SIRCIW · Strengthening International Research Capacity in Wales

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2015-09-01 → 2022-02-28
EU contribution
€9,558,000
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-COFUND

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Strengthening International Research Capacity in Wales

Scientists in Wales are efficient, productive, collaborative, impactful and in many cases world leading. Evidence has shown examples of scientific excellence but a lack of critical mass in areas most likely to drive a knowledge economy through innovation and translation. Our application to the COFUND fellowship scheme formed the foundation of the 'Sêr Cymru (Stars Wales) II Programme'. The programme was designed to produce a step change in Welsh scientific capacity, building on excellence and investing in early career researchers. The integrated proposal married Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND fellowships with European Structural Funds, university, industrial and Welsh Government funding, with the aim of bringing into Wales up to 140 new fellowships in strategic areas including clinical science, engineering, physics, mathematics and applied Social Sciences. The intention of the MSCA programme, 'Strengthening International Research Capacity in Wales (SIRCIW) was to support recruitment of experienced researchers of all nationalities into Wales. Fellows were given employment contracts at their host university, and where possible and relevant, opportunities in different sectors were provided. The fellowships have helped the researchers develop into the leaders of the future through provision of funding, mentorship, and supervision from within their host institution and networking, either in their place of work or through the SIRCIW programme.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Scientists in Wales are efficient, productive, collaborative, impactful and in many cases world leading. Recent evidence shows scientific excellence but a lack of critical mass in areas most likely to drive a knowledge economy through innovation and translation. This application forms the foundation of the 'Sêr Cymru (Stars Wales) II Programme' designed to produce a step change in Welsh scientific capacity, building on excellence and investing in early career researchers. This integrated proposal marries Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND fellowships with European Structural Funds, university, industrial and Welsh Government funding to bring in 140 new fellowships (90 via SIRCIW) in strategic areas including clinical science, engineering, physics, mathematics and applied Social Sciences.The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, 'Strengthening International Research Capacity in Wales' (SIRCIW) will support recruitment of experienced researchers of all nationalities into Wales. Fellows will be given employment contracts at their host university, will be encouraged to spend time out in different sectors, and will benefit from a programme of bespoke and innovative training (through organisations such as the Leadership Foundation and Vox Coaching), to help develop the research leaders of the future. Applications will be driven by fellows themselves. Selection to the programme will be done using tested, merit-based methods and funding decisions will be independent of nationality, discipline, age, career breaks etc. The selection committee will be made up of national & international experts with a broad base of scientific knowledge and experience of funding/training panels. Their assessments will be assisted via the use of external, international, peer review. Membership of the panel will be balanced for gender, age and background. A strict policy for ethical issues will be adhered to via a 'Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) committee, and programme quality will be monitored with regular reviews.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union