date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 18:10:08 +0000 from: "Catrin Yeomans" subject: RAPID: SBRI applications to: , , , , , , , , , , , "Jochem Marotzke" , , , , , Dear RAPID Steering Committee member, The closing date for full applications for the RAPID Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) was Wednesday 6th November. Please find attached the five applications submitted to this funding scheme, the guidance letter sent to successful applicants and the assessment form (you will also receive hard copies of these applications). The Steering Committee is now asked to assess against the following assessment criteria: a) Relevance to thematic programme; b) A clear summary of the R&D project and evidence that it is based on sound science; c) Evidence that the R&D will lead to new commercial activity; d) Importance of technological development; e) Effectiveness and value for money (evidence of a costed project plan with clear milestones, understanding of the market place, access to finance); f) Additionality (SBRI funds must be used to initiate a new development and not simply to replace existing funding plans); g) Evidence that SBRI funding will significantly enhance the proposer's existing research capability. I appreciate that some of these criteria may be difficult for the SC to assess, but I would be grateful if you could grade as many of the proposals as you feel able (excluding those in which you have a vested interest) and rank the proposals in order of recommendation for funding. The final decision on which projects the programme will support will be made by the RAPID SBRI procurement panel, who will meet in January 2003. The panel will consist of representatives from: - Swindon Office staff involved in the RAPID programme - the Research Council Procurement Office - the NERC Partnership and Exploitation Policy Directorate (PEPD) - commercial assessors in the procurement panel meeting The SBRI applications will be briefly discussed at the November Steering Committee meeting and a representative from PEPD will be present at the meeting to answer any questions you may have about SBRI. Further details on SBRI are available on the NERC webpages (http://www.nerc.ac.uk/using/smallbri.shtml). You will have noticed from the agenda circulated last week, that assessment of the 'MOC' applications will take up a large part of the first day, although I hope that this agenda item will be completed in time for tea on Monday afternoon (3.30pm). Therefore, if you have a vested interest in any of the MOC applications you will spend a large part of the Monday meeting out of the room. Although there will be a room available in which you can work, I realize that this may be inconvenient and you may wish to arrive at 3.30pm instead of 11am (and be absent from the initial business part of the meeting). If you are planning to arrive in Swindon after lunch I would be grateful if you could let me know. I have also attached travel and subsistence claim form, which should be returned to me after the meeting. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any queries about the SBRI assessment process or the issues relating to the meeting. Best wishes, Catrin Dr Catrin Yeomans Programme Co-ordinator Tel: 01793 442504 Fax: 01793 411545 Email: cvy@nerc.ac.uk Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\Trident Sensors.doc" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\HomerOI4.jpg" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\MIDAS Timeplan.xls" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\Ocean Scientific International.doc" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\PDZ Europa Ltd.doc" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\SAMS (HOMER).doc" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\SAMS (MIDAS).doc" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\SBRI tender letter.doc" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\HOMER Timeplan.xls" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\RAPID SBRI assessment form.xls" Attachment Converted: "c:\eudora\attach\T&S.doc"