ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL ICT SAT - Policy Pack Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
EPSRC Strategic Goals
Shaping Capability
Shaping Capability! Shaping capability s goal is to align our portfolio to areas of UK strength and national importance. This will ensure that the country s international standing is maintained and enhanced within a competitive international research environment.
Shaping Capability context Why? EPSRC must focus its investments to ensure:! we use resources effectively! build the capability we need to compete! gain the most long term benefit for the UK EPSRC aims:! To maintain the international reputation, quality and competitiveness of UK research! To realign support towards the published shape! To continue to invest in creative and ambitious research that has a high-impact for the UK What this means:! EPSRC portfolio and shaping decisions will provide context for future funding decisions! Applicants, reviewers and panel members all have an opportunity to give their opinions on how a research proposal complements the research landscape
EPSRC s approach to shaping in ICT! ICT Theme has a twin approach to Shaping Capability! Positions on individual research areas! Cross ICT research priorities! The rationales for research areas and scopes for cross ICT priorities will relate to one another in various ways
ICT Research Areas Maths of of Computing Theory of Computation Programming Languages & Compilers Software Engineering Databases Biological informatics Verification & Correctness Architectures and Operation Microelectronics Design Vision, Hearing & Other Senses Graphics & Visualisation Information Non-CMOS Device CMOS Device Displays Image and Vision Computing Artificial Intelligence Digital Signal Processing Speech Natural Language Processing Human Communication in ICT RF & Microwave Communications RF & Microwave Devices Optical Communications Optical Devices and Subsystems Music & Acoustic ICT Networks and Distributed HCI Mobile Computing Optoelectronic Devices and Circuits
The Cross-ICT Priorities Towards an Intelligent Information Infrastructure Addressing the challenges posed by data deluge, bandwidth-hungry applications, enhanced security and the increased mobility of computing. Many-Core Architectures & Concurrency in Distributed & Embedded Novel architectures to deliver increased computational power within a restricted energy envelope, enabling future electronic systems. Photonics for Future approaches towards future photonic/optoelectronic devices, connecting together the photonics research community with other disciplines. New & Emerging Areas Supporting novel research themes within the ICT portfolio, both grown from within the community or translated from other research fields. Working Together Greater collaboration and communication between ICT researchers, and with researchers in other disciplines supported by RCUK.
Maths of Computing Theory of Computation Programming Languages & Compilers Software Engineering TI3 Databases Architectures and Operation Biological informatics Verification & Correctness Microelectronics Design Vision, Hearing & Other Senses Graphics & Visualisation Information Non-CMOS Device CMOS Device Displays Image and Vision Computing Digital Signal Processing Artificial Intelligence Speech Natural Language Processing Human Communication in ICT RF & Microwave Communications RF & Microwave Devices Optical Communications Optical Devices and Subsystems Music & Acoustic ICT Networks and Distributed HCI Mobile Computing Optoelectronic Devices and Circuits
Maths of Computing Theory of Computation Programming Languages & Compilers Software Engineering MACDES Databases Biological informatics Verification & Correctness Architectures and Operation Microelectronics Design Vision, Hearing & Other Senses Image and Vision Computing Graphics & Visualisation Digital Signal Processing Artificial Intelligence Information Speech MACDES Energy efficiency Natural Language Processing Human Communication in ICT RF & Microwave Communications Non-CMOS Device RF & Microwave Devices CMOS Device Optical Communications Displays Optical Devices and Subsystems Music & Acoustic ICT Networks and Distributed HCI Mobile Computing Optoelectronic Devices and Circuits
Maths of Computing Theory of Computation Programming Languages & Compilers Software Engineering PfFS Biological informatics Databases Photonics Materials and Metamaterials Verification & Correctness Architectures and Operation Quantum Optics and Information Microelectronics Design Vision, Hearing & Other Senses Graphics & Visualisation Information Non-CMOS Device CMOS Device Image and Vision Computing Digital Signal Processing Artificial Intelligence Speech Natural Language Processing Photonics for Future Human Communication in ICT RF & Microwave Communications RF & Microwave Devices Optical Communications Displays Optical Devices and Subsystems Music & Acoustic ICT Networks and Distributed HCI Mobile Computing Optoelectronic Devices and Circuits
Maths of Computing Theory of Computation Programming Languages & Compilers Software Engineering New and Emerging Areas Databases Biological informatics Verification & Correctness Architectures and Operation Microelectronics Design Vision, Hearing & Other Senses Graphics & Visualisation Information Non-CMOS Device CMOS Device Image and Vision Computing Digital Signal Processing Artificial Intelligence Speech Natural Language Processing??? Human Communication in ICT RF & Microwave Communications RF & Microwave Devices Optical Communications Displays Optical Devices and Subsystems Music & Acoustic ICT Networks and Distributed HCI Mobile Computing Optoelectronic Devices and Circuits
Working Together = 435 pairings WT is about encouraging the researchers we sponsor to! work together across the ICT landscape and with other disciplines, inside or outside EPSRC s broader remit! Think about dependencies, convergences, collaboration, upstream and downstream research, other funders, shared challenges! Behave the same whether applying or reviewing
Non-highlighted Areas! The EPSRC landscape diagrams are a view, not the view, of the funded portfolio! No portfolio representation is perfect! There are many ways the landscape could be represented! Not all fields have their own bubble! Researchers should not feel pigeon-holed into one area! For many researchers, their work spans more than one EPSRC area! Some fields span a number of the EPSRC research areas/ landscape diagrams! Not having a bubble doesn t mean you can t apply (as long as it s EPSRC remit)
Working with EPSRC Challenge Themes Manufacturing the Future Healthcare Technologies Energy Digital Economy ICT Capability Theme Innovative Production Processes Novel Treatment & Therapeutic Technologies Energy Efficiency Sustainable Society Manufacturing Informatics Enhanced Prediction & Diagnosis at Point of Care Power Networks Communities & Culture Sustainable Industrial for a Healthy Life Renewable Energy New Economic Models Frontier Manufacturing Design, Manufacture & Integration of Healthcare Technologies Sustainable Energy IT as a Utility
Reduced Areas (1) It is very important to read the rationale of research area as this explains the decision, and aspirations of EPSRC for that area.! Biological Informatics! The reduction recognises the shift of research previously funded by EPSRC into the remit of BBSRC, not a desire to reduce the level of research activity.! Speech! The size of the area currently reflects a Programme grant in the area; EPSRC cannot commit to its renewal as a proper peer review process must be maintained! CMOS Device! Limited routes for exploitation in the UK! Recognition that other funding sources far exceed available resource through EPSRC
Reduced Areas (2)! Mobile Computing! The reduction reflects a change in articulation, not an actual reduction in support for the research! With the increasing use of mobile devices across the ICT landscape it is no longer appropriate to capture/describe it all under this research area. Much of the research previously funded would now be captured under other areas such as Software Engineering.! Ubiquitous computing will remain under Mobile Computing
Maths of Maths of Computing Computing Theory of Theory of Computation Computation Programm Programming ing Languages Languages & & Compilers Compilers Software Software Engineering Engineering Mobile Computing Databases Verification Verification & & Correctness Correctness Biological Biological informatics informatics Vision, Vision, Hearing Hearing & & Other Other Senses Senses Information Information Graphics Graphics & & Visualisation Visualisa tion The research areas around mobile computing have Microelectronics Design now changed. They contain research CMOS relating to them in CMOS Device Device the mobile domain. Architectures Architectures and and Operating Operating Non-CMOS Non-CMOS Device Device Microelectronics Design Displays Displays Image & Image & Vision Vision Computing Computing RF RF& & MW MW Devices Devices Artificial Artificial Intelligence Intelligence DSP DSP Natural Natural Languag e Language Processing Processin g Human Human Communi Communication cation in ICT in ICT Speech Speech Music & Music & Acoustic Acoustic Optical Optical Comms Comms HCI HCI RF RF& & MW MW Comms Comms Mobile Mobile Computing Computing ICT Networks ICT Networks and Distributed and Distributed Optical Devices and Subsystems Optical Devices and Subsystems Optoelectronic Optoelectronic Devices and Devices and Circuits Circuits
Delivering Impact
Delivering Impact! One of EPSRC's strategic goals as a long-term sponsor of UK research and training is to increase and accelerate the potential impact from our investments and maximise opportunities for potential exploitation.! Impact from research is not simply a focus on partnering universities and businesses research impact includes the training of skilled people, and a consideration of potential intellectual, technological, cultural, and societal benefits, alongside supporting links between universities and business.! Universities are primarily focused on the generation of skilled people and the creation of new knowledge. The ICT Impact Strategy aims to help connect researchers with suitable partners to explore and exploit potential impacts of novel research and training.
ICT Theme Impact Strategy Telling the Story Society, Culture & Ethics Uptake of Skills Wider Picture ICT Research Impact Brokerage ICT Pioneers Impact in the Portfolio User Input
ICT Pioneers ICT Pioneers is an industry-funded competition, created and facilitated by EPSRC s ICT theme. Pioneers supports the ICT Impact Strategy by:! Providing additional training opportunities for PhD students, focussed on communication and technology foresight.! Connecting Pioneers sponsor organisations with both potential employees and collaborators.! Showcasing the potential applications of novel ICT research.
National Power Electronics Centre In response to the 2011 BIS National Strategy for Power Electronics, EPSRC and the research community embarked on a process that has resulted in a distributed research centre worth 18M. Creation of the National Power Electronics Centre supports the ICT Impact Strategy by:! Bringing together some of the top research universities in the field with many of the major users of power electronics in different sectors.! Aligning academic research effort with the activity of the PowerElectronicsUK industry forum.
National Importance vs. Impact! Demand outstrips budget.! National Importance! Why should the UK fund your research over another proposal?! What is the potential held within the research program proposed?! How could the UK benefit from the research being funded?! Pathways to Impact! What are you, as the research team, going to do to increase the impact of the research proposed?! How will the appropriate people know of your work?! How will you enable the work to pass along the innovation chain?
Developing Leaders
Developing Leaders! The Developing Leaders goal aims to nurture the visionary leaders who set research agendas and inspirational team leaders who act as role models.! It builds upon EPSRC s strong track record of supporting high quality, internationally-leading researchers throughout their careers through innovations such as EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training, Fellowship Schemes with embedded research support, and Programme Grants.
Studentships
Studentships! EPSRC supports ~10,000 students! Largest single supporter in the UK! Approx. 35% of all EPS research students! Approx. 10% all PhDs! EPSRC expects PhD students to be! Fulfilling UK skills need! Aligned with high quality research activity! Integrated into research active groups and departments! Given top class supervision! Have peer support
Studentships Balancing Need! International Students! We want to attract and retain the best. Most international students leave, but the DTP rules have been relaxed! Numbers of Students! We need to balance support across the career stages, whatever the budget! Training grants vs. research grants! Postdocs are being trained too.! EPSRC supports the research base! Few EPS PhD students become RAs or academics! We have a responsibility to the students! Are there jobs for them to go to?! Does flooding the market de-value the PhD qualification?
Studentships - Routes! 3 main channels of support! Doctoral Training Partnerships ( 83.5M pa)! Centres for Doctoral Training ( 70M pa)! ICASE ( 17M pa)! Much of the need for students in many areas can and will continue to be met through the DTP and ICASE
Doctoral Training Partnerships! Giving priority to PhD quality! 10% of DTP studentships to fund the best, no matter where they come from! 10% DTP to ICASE conversion target! Statement of Expectations to form the basis of a strategic dialogue on training with universities! EPSRC Doctoral Prize! Part of the DTP can be used to provide up to two years additional funding for the best student
Fellowships
EPSRC fellowship: a new framework! Merges existing schemes, including Challenging Engineering.! Focus on areas where growth is required and on developing leaders able to integrate their work into the wider research landscape.! Not open in all areas, at all career stages at all times.
Fellowships in the ICT theme! Minimum requirement - contributing to Working Together priority! Encouraged to contribute against other cross-ict priorities! Open to all ICT areas at Early and Established stages except! Speech - Early career only! CMOS Device - Established career only and must be catalysing refocus into other areas! Cybersecurity funded through ICT fellowships and must meet same minimum requirement 34
Questions to Consider Pre-Application! Who/which fields am I working with?! Working Together can be within the ICT disciplines (even the same field), the key is! How/why is this different to what I/the community do already?! Who will I influence during my fellowship and how will a fellowship (rather than a standard research grant) help me to achieve this?! Who will/should influence me?! Why is a fellowship the best route? 35
Stage one the batch panel! The role of the batch panel is to primarily assess the quality of the research programme.! Fellowships are first considered at a standard panel alongside standard proposals and first grants.! The assessment criteria at this stage is the same as for standard proposals.
Stage two - the fellowship interview! The role of the interview panel is to primarily assess the qualities of the candidate with reference to the person specification.! The interview panel will consider how the applicant is able to fulfil each of the expected person specification attributes for the career stage they are applying against.! All criteria may be assessed but focus will be on individual rather than on research (which has been expertly reviewed already).
Timings! There are no deadlines, but! The ICT batch panels are held in Jan/Feb and Jul! These feed into interviews held in Mar and Aug/Sept! Proposals should be submitted at least 4 months before the batch panel
Other Policy Issues
Funding Situation 2012/13 Actual Commitment 2013/14 Planned Commitment 113.0M (not including 9.1M Fellowships) 35.1M (not including 6.9M Fellowships)
2014/15 Commitment The commitment available to EPSRC, and consequently the ICT Theme is as yet uncertain! EPSRC must achieve expenditure targets set by Treasury, which results in fluctuating annual commitment! Until the 2015/16 Spending Review announcement in Autumn 2013 EPSRC cannot set the 2014/15 commitment target.! As well as the headline settlement, commitment will be dependent upon what is placed within the science ring-fence! At present the ICT Theme has a nominal budget of 65.4M for 2014/15! It is possible the commitment available has to be reduced as a result of the Spending Review
Success Rates! Statistics suggest that the EPSRC community responds directly to the level of commitment available.! It is possible that success rates remain comparable due to this behaviour! Proposal submission rates were very high in 2012! Proposal submission so far in 2013 have been much lower than in a normal year! First grants have been relatively protected by the ICT Theme! Scheme conditions make applicants less flexible in timing their submission.! Early career researchers are less likely to have other funding sources
Why doesn t EPSRC allow resubmissions?! The policy was introduced in 2009! The majority of resubmissions were no more competitive! The burden on peer review for little change in success rates was deemed inappropriate! Implementation! Panels can recommend a proposal is invited for resubmission (the decision rests with the Theme Leader)! A proposal with the same research vision but a significantly different focus, objectives, work packages and/or team might not be considered a resubmission.! Is the change superficial or fundamental?