'Seed-Corn' funding of up to £10k for experiments using 4th Generation Light Sources
The PSRI is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications from UK academics for 'Seed-Corn' funds to be used in research using 4th generation light sources. In this first tranche, the PSRI will offer funding, with applications considered in a gathered field on a competitive basis, of up to £10k, for work to be undertaken up until the end of 2009. Given the limited funds available, it is expected that expenditure will be limited to travel, consumables, and small items of equipment.
Fourth generation sources around the world are now emerging as true user facilities. For example, the FLASH XUV-FEL at Hamburg is now fully operational as a user facility, and will shortly be making a further call for experimental proposals. The LCLS source, based at SLAC in the USA has also recently announced its first call for user proposals, with first experiments to take place in the latter half of 2009. Decisions concerning the next round of experiments on these emerging facilities, as well as others around the world, will be made on the timescale of the next few months.
The small degree of funding on offer here is not intended in any way to act as a substitute for fully funded research proposals that may be put forward to other research councils. Rather, this seed-corn funding is offered in the context of the extremely rapid evolution of the opportunities for UK academics to exploit these new sources, and the subsequent requirement for short-term start-up funds to take advantage of the sources as they come on line.
Applications for funding, not more than 2 pages in length, should be sent directly to Professor Justin Wark, (Justin.wark@physics.ox.ac.uk), Chief Scientist of the PSRI. The application should outline the scope of the work, nature of collaborations (if any), and a breakdown of proposed use of the funds, as well as a brief description of the applicant's future plans in this research area, and the expected benefit of the start-up funds.
The applications for funding will be considered by a panel comprising members of the Board of the PSRI, though no board member who is associated with an applicant's institution may take part in any judgement of that particular proposal. The closing date for applications for this first tranche is the end of September 2008, and it is intended that announcements will be made within a few weeks of the closing date.
