The Royal Society’s Industry Fellowship scheme is currently open and provides the chance for scientists with permanent positions in industry or academia to work in the other sector for up to 2 years. The Brian Mercer Feasibility Award will open in October and allows researchers to investigate the technical and economical feasibility of commercialising an aspect of their scientific research. Further details of these two schemes are given below.

Industry Fellowship Scheme

This scheme aims to enhance knowledge transfer in science and technology between those in industry and those in academia. It provides opportunities for an academic scientist to work on a collaborative project with industry, or someone employed in industry to work on a collaborative project with a university department or a not-for-profit research organisation. It is anticipated that fellows will establish personal and corporate links between the two sectors in the UK as a foundation for their long-term future development. These appointments are funded by the Royal Society, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, Rolls-Royce plc and Astra Zeneca.

Eligibility: Applicants can be of any nationality and should be at a stage in their career when they would particularly benefit from establishing or strengthening personal and corporate links between the two sectors as a foundation for long-term future collaboration and development. They should hold a PhD or be of equivalent standing in their profession and hold a permanent post in either a UK university, a UK not-for-profit research organisation (e.g. the Health & Safety Executive), or in UK industry.

Length of tenure: The award can be for any period up to two years full-time or pro rata, i.e. it could be held at 50% part-time for four years enabling fellows to maintain links with their employing institution more easily.

Place of tenure: Must involve transfer between UK private industry and a UK university or a not-for-profit research organisation. Publicly funded bodies are not eligible to act as the industrial partner.

Value: The fellow's salary only will be met during the secondment; the employing institution continues to pay national insurance and pension contributions. Research expenses may be claimed up to the value of £2000 per year.

Further details on the Industry Fellowship Scheme can be found on the Royal Society website.

Opening date: August 2009
Closing date: 14 October 2009

Brian Mercer Awards

The Brian Mercer Feasibility Award allows researchers to investigate the technical and economical feasibility of commercialising an aspect of their scientific research. The award is worth up to £30,000. The Brian Mercer Award for Innovation provides funding for researchers to develop an already proven concept or prototype through to the creation of a near market product for commercial exploitation. The award is worth up to £250,000.

Both awards are made in the areas of the built environment, nanotechnology and clean technology and energy. In addition, a donation from the ERA foundation supports one Feasibility Award in electrotechnology (including telecommunications and IT systems).

Eligibility: Applicants must have a PhD or of equivalent Research must be in the built environment, clean technology, energy, nanoscience or electrotechnology (for one Feasibility Award). Applicants must have a substantive post in a UK research organisation.

Length of tenure: Awards are not expected to exceed 24 months in duration.

Place of tenure: These awards must be held in a UK university or not-for-profit research organisation.

Value: Brian Mercer Award – up to £250,000
          Feasibility Award – up to £30,000.

Further details of the Brian Mercer Award can be found on the Royal Society website.

Opening date: Late October 2009
Closing date: December 2009