Researchers in Residence call for applications

To support collaboration between the UK R&D sector and the Catapult centres, Research Councils UK (RCUK) is supporting research visits/residencies for university academics and other eligible research organisations to spend time working within Catapult teams.

We are now accepting applications for the Researchers in Residence (RiR) Programme. The programme will support selected university academics for research visits and residencies.

The aims of the RiR programme are to:

• Accelerate the impact of RC-funded research
• Increase knowledge exchange, collaboration and co-creation between academia and Catapult centres
• Nurture talent and skill development of researchers and Catapult staff
• Create a cohort of RiRs that will enable the exchange of experiences within a wider network of academics

Depending on the project, participants will be based at the following Catapult centres:

• Digital Catapult only
• Digital Catapult and High Value Manufacturing
• Digital Catapult and Transport Systems Catapult
• Digital Catapult and Future Cities Catapult
• Digital Catapult and Satellite Applications Catapult

Funding

The Catapults have been awarded vouchers to be paid directly to participating universities or other research organisations. The value of each voucher is up to £50k (100% FEC), which may be flexibly spread between one and four years.

The award can only be used to cover the salary costs for the visit of each RiR, travel and subsistence costs, and any consumables used at the Catapult. Any other costs (e.g. equipment/service costs, technician time, etc.) will be covered by the host Catapult within reasonable limits and pre-agreed with the host Catapult.

Who should apply?

The RiR fellowship applicants should be academic employees of an eligible organisation and must be a resident in the UK. For this scheme, we are following EPSRC eligibility criteria.

Why should you get involved?

The programme will provide support to a range of activities that accelerate the impact from UKRI investments by exploring commercial opportunities, developing knowledge and new products or generating information based on previous investments to support Catapult capabilities.

Researchers are invited to take creative approaches within the residencies to support the aims of the initiative. This may include activities exploring new ways of using existing knowledge and infrastructure, or innovative thinking in how to accelerate impact from UKRI investments.

Note that some of the RiRs will enable researchers to work across the Catapult network.

A little more info

The programme will run until March 2023; with two RiR opportunity announcements each year, with the last announced RiR opportunity deadline 21 September 2018.

Next Steps

For more information about the projects and how to apply, please visit the application page here.

Please note that you will need to contact a member of the relevant Catapult before submitting your application. For the Digital Catapult, contact Dr Catarina Fernandes, Academic Engagement Manager [email protected]