Please note that all funds under this initiative have now been allocated - this page is for archive purposes only.

Key dates

• Deadline for applications: 1st of each month, until all funds disbursed. This fund is now closed.

• Funding decision made: two weeks after deadline

• Impact Event: TBC

• Fund spending deadline: 31st March 2018

Background

EPSRC has made a sum of £35,000 available to support collaboration, share knowledge and build stronger partnerships between UK and US Research Software Engineers (RSEs).

The Software Sustainability Institute, acting through the University of Edinburgh, will administer this initiative and make grants available to support objectives such as sharing specific expertise or projects, or promoting and sharing RSE experiences with international centres.

An initial round of funding will target applications from individual EPSRC RSE Fellows, and organisation-led proposals from the UK Research Software Engineer Leaders Network, and the UK RSE Association. Following this, applications will be open to any UK-based RSEs working in an EPSRC remit area.

Aims and Scope

This funding aims to encourage greater collaboration between the UK and USA-based Research Software Engineer communities around the following topics:

• investigating emerging hardware and the impact on software;

• building collaboration around a particular science area;

• developing common community codes;

• building links between computational / computer science and maths.

This initiative will focus on inward travel of USA-based RSE expertise where there is a demonstrable benefit to the UK, though outward engagement of UK RSEs visiting the US will also be allowed.

Examples of potential applications might include: speaking engagements and seminars; running events, such as training, workshops and tutorials; expert participation in workshops, events or policy development; and funding site visits to work on collaborative development.

Funding available

A total of £35,000 is available through this initiative. Individual RSEs may apply for up to £5,000, with larger organisation-led proposals accepted from the RSE Leaders Network and UK RSE Association. All funds must be spent by 31st March 2018.

The funding is primarily focussed at supporting travel and subsistence costs relating to collaboration between UK and US RSEs. It cannot be used to pay salaries or computer time. Please get in touch if you have queries about whether a particular expense is allowable.

All travel and subsistence expenses must follow University of Edinburgh guidelines. Principally, this means that only incurred expenses with documentation (receipts) will be reimbursed (no per diem rate); travel must be by standard or economy class; and accommodation and subsistence should not be excessive.

Eligibility

Any Research Software Engineer based at a UK research organisation, working in an EPSRC remit area may apply for funding. Priority in the initial round will be given to applications from the EPSRC RSE Fellows, UK RSE Leaders Network, and UK RSE Association.

Proposals must involve participation from US-based RSEs, which should be supported by a letter of support. This can be based on existing collaborations or be used to create new collaborations as long as the proposal demonstrates a lasting and additional benefit. 

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a proposal for funding of up to 4 A4 pages (minimum 11pt text) in PDF format via this form. 

The proposal should cover the following:

• A brief description of the applicant’s role and track record as an RSE

• A description of the proposed activity including:

  • Rough timescales and dates

  • The names of the US-based RSEs involved

  • How the activity relates to research within the EPSRC remit, including the disciplines involved

  • Why this activity will encourage greater collaboration between the UK and USA-based Research Software Engineer communities around any of the following topics:

    • investigating emerging hardware and the impact on software;

    • building links between computational / computer science and maths.

    • developing common community codes;

    • building collaboration around a particular science area;

• A summary of the expected impact and outputs including:

  • How the activity will lead to sharing of knowledge and building of collaborations

  • How the impact and outputs will be disseminated (see note below about participation in broader showcase event)

• A budget for the proposed activity detailing expected expenditure

Upon approval successful applicants must provide a plan with dates within the funding constraints, along with confirmation from UK and US participants that they agree to the terms of funding. Successful applicants will also be expected to write up a short final report within a month of the conclusion of the activity and to participate in a broader showcase event to happen at some point before 31/3/18 (probably at the start of 2018) - there will be additional money to support participation in this event.

Contacts

• Neil Chue Hong. Email: N.ChueHong@software.ac.uk