In brief

The EPSRC has called for proposals to its partnerships for public engagement scheme. The scheme is designed to enable researchers to engage with the public. Awards are aimed at active researchers and applications should be made by 19 October 2005. Past projects have involved interactive exhibits in science centres and competitions in schools. 

The National Science Foundation is calling for input to its ’Materials world network: cooperative activity in materials research between US investigators and their counterparts abroad’. The EPSRC’s materials programme is participating in the call by inviting research or networking proposals within the materials programme remit for UK participants in such collaborations. Closing date for applications is 19 October 2005.  

Members of the new Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFHEFC) have been announced. Chairing the council will be John McClelland, a former vice-president of worldwide operations at IBM and a former chairman of the CBI’s technology and innovation committee. The SFHEFC will replace two existing funding councils - the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. 

Applications are invited for the 2006 Gordon Kirkbright Bursary . The award enables a promising non-tenured young scientist of any nation to attend a scientific meeting or visit a place of learning. The fund is run by the Association of British Spectroscopists Trust, but is not restricted to spectroscopists. Contact John Chalmers, VS Consulting at vibspecconsult@aol.com. 

Toshiba  has launched an annual  fellowship programme, offering up to two scientists the chance to join its research and development team in Japan. The programme will start in autumn 2006 and is open to any PhD-level researcher of EU nationality currently working in a UK academic institution.