Institutional Strategic Support Fund Phase2 FY2014/16 - Public Engagement Supplement (360G-Wellcome-105626_Z_14_A)

ISSF Small Grants Fund The Life Sciences Institute (LSI) Small Grants Fund is an early stage fund designed to support pilot projects aimed at the identification and early support of promising ideas for the future development of larger proposals and initiatives. ISSF Proof of Concept Fund Sitting alongside QMUL’s established Proof of Concept Fund, this LSI Fund is aimed at supporting work that is intended to develop new life science ideas, technologies or processes from a pilot or early-stage exploration to the next stage of a more comprehensive commercial plan. Early Career Stage Researchers Bridging Fund Support for researchers early in their careers (ECRs) is essential to ensuring that they are able to take full advantage of opportunities to develop and succeed. Critical points typically occur in transition periods, when funding rounds for fellowships, major grants and permanent positions may not coincide with contract end-points. The LSI ECR Bridging Fund is aimed at addressing this need and will support periods of funding for up to four months for the salary costs of four leading ECRs working within the relevant research areas of the LSI. Some matching funding commitment is required from the home School or Institute of the ECR – equal to 30% of the ISSF funding. Funding: Implementation The ISSF/QMUL award supports three posts that are critical to the progress of the Life Sciences Initiative and the development of the proposed Life Sciences Institute: A Programme Director (who will focus primarily on external engagement work) A Programme Manager (who will mainly provide professional services management support for the Initiative) A 0.5 fte Programme Officer (who will provide administrative support for the Initiative). Funding: Public engagement Public engagement is a key element of our Life Sciences Initiative and is embedded across all aspects of it. Our Centre for Public Engagement (CPE) leads on this work and the ISSF award supports a dedicated community engagement post, support for training and collaborative projects, and a programme of outreach through the Centre of the Cell, focussed on life sciences work. The Community Engagement Officer will liaise regularly with local community groups, and engage sections of the community not accessed easily through existing links, with the aim of raising the voice of community partners within our planning for, and delivery of, research for the life sciences.