Invitation for proposals: The RCUK Energy Programme, led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), invites proposals that address the Grand Challenge of Preparing the UK’s Energy Infrastructure for 2050. Closing Date: 29 September 2010. Full details on EPSRC website.

The engineering and physical sciences (EPS) and economic and social sciences (ESS) interfaces are of strategic importance to EPSRC. The Cross-Disciplinary Interfaces Programme (C-DIP) aims to enable UK engineers and physical scientists to be world-leading in research and training at existing and emerging cross-disciplinary interfaces. C-DIP aims to be at the leading edge and to strategically intervene at targeted interfaces that are a priority for EPSRC.

C-DIP therefore wishes to support Discipline Hopping grants between the engineering and physical sciences and economic and social sciences interfaces. They invite applications from established researchers from across the disciplines who wish to explore a new research area and are passionate about cross-disciplinary working.

Up to £1 million has been earmarked for this targeted activity and, subject to the quality of the submissions received, it is anticipated that we will fund approximately 10 proposals.

The call is open until 16th September 2010. For more information, click here.

It is clear that the academic sector in the UK is responding strongly to the opportunities presented by new nuclear build. It is also clear that a key strength of the community is that it is well networked. As the community continues to grow the Research Councils Energy Programme (RCEP) would like to facilitate:

* A continued high level of networking. * Complementary rather than competitive growth. * Engagement with other stakeholders, in the UK and internationally, including access to unique facilities.

With this in mind the RCEP are seeking to support a nuclear network champion. Up to £500,000 over a maximum of four years is available to support the lead network champion (up to 25% of a full time post), provide admin support for the champion and to develop appropriate activities to network the community.

Applications from academics are invited by 16:00 23 November 2010. All applicants should contact Stephen Elsby at EPSRC by 01 November to register their intent to apply before submitting a proposal. Applications will initially be sifted by a panel consisting of two research council members and one external member. It is anticipated a maximum of three applicants will be invited through to the final interview stage in mid December.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Proposals are invited from consortia for a SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub. The remit of the Hub will be in Bioenergy generation technologies (focussing mostly on thermo-chemical conversion), the environmental impacts of the technologies and the socioeconomic aspects of Bioenergy (including policy).The PI of the successful application will be expected to take on the role of ‘Bioenergy Research Director’ for Bioenergy research.

This should be a consortium of the leading research institutions in Bioenergy, and should include no more than five or six institutions. The call is open to new entrants but any submission should include some of the researchers who are involved in the current Bioenergy SUPERGEN.

The proposal should include a network that is open to the broad Bioenergy academic and industrial community.Proposals should include a technology strategy for driving research in Bioenergy and for exploiting the research outcomes.

The call closes at 4pm on the 30th September 2010. Up to £2.75 million is available for this call and only one Hub will be funded. It is anticipated that the project will commence in mid 2011. The duration of the grant will be for five years.

For more information and to apply, click here.

EPSRC is participating in the 2010 call by the National Science Foundation (NSF) entitled "Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad (MWN)". Invitation for proposals available on EPSRC website. Closing date is 10 November 2010.

Joint call from the Research Councils UK Energy and Living with Environmental Change programmes in collaboration with the UK Climate Impacts Programme. Closing date 10 November 2010. More information on EPSRC website.

Consortia building workshop exploring future technologies that might contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions from the UK vehicle market. Closing date for expressions of interest 30 September 2010. More information on the EPSRC website.

This call is open to all legal persons that are based in eligible countries but the priority will be given to Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Clusters of applicants and projects which demonstrate a European added value and have a high potential for market replication are strongly encouraged. This call supports Eco-innovative projects in different sectors which aim at the prevention or reduction of environmental impacts or which contribute to the optimal use of resources. However, more specific priorities have been set up considering its important environmental impact.

More information available on the Europa website – deadline for proposals 9 September 2010.

The Fuel Cells & Hydrogen (FCH) Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) aims to define and implement a target-oriented research and development programme to support the broad market introduction of these technologies. The work will build on the strategic documents produced by the industry-led European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform (HFP), particularly in its Implementation Plan.

The overall objective of the JTI is to speed up the development of hydrogen supply and fuel cell technologies with up to 5 years to the point of commercial take off for early market applications (e.g. handheld devices, portable generators); for stationary applications (domestic and commercial Combined Heat and Power); and for mass market roll-out of transport applications.

The call for proposals 2010 of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking has been published today. The deadline for applying for grants is 13 October 2010.

For more information and to apply for grants please visit here.

The European Science Foundation (ESF) invites scientists to submit proposals for high-level research conferences to take place in 2012. Submission deadline: 15 September 2010. Visit the ESF website for further details.

COST invites researchers throughout Europe to submit proposals for research networks and use this unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and to embark on new European perspectives.

COST's main objective is to stimulate new, innovative and interdisciplinary scientific networks in Europe. COST activities (Actions) are carried out by research teams to strengthen the foundations for building scientific excellence in Europe. This continuous call is thematically open.

COST invites proposals for new COST Actions contributing to the scientific, economic, cultural or societal development of Europe. Proposals playing a precursor role for other European programmes involving young groups' ideas are especially welcome.

For further details visit the COST website.