Task Forces to Develop Proposals for Major Research Projects

Guidelines

Thematic programmes are a major avenue through which the research councils provide support for universities. Getting a thematic programme funded by a research council is hard work and requires a major co-ordinated effort. One of the current ways of achieving this goal is to persuade a research council to support a "Town Meeting" at which a possible topic for such a thematic programme can be proposed and at which research council staff are present. The aim of this fund is to support short-term Task Forces to undertake the preliminary work prior to taking a proposal to a "Town Meeting". Task Forces operate in a similar way to Fixed-Term Working Groups in that they may run for a period of up to 3 years but with maximum total funding of £1000 available for the 3 year period. Procedures for application are set out below.

Forms

• Microsoft Word Format
• Adobe Acrobat Format

Application and Monitoring Procedures for BSG Task Forces to Develop Proposals for Major Research Projects

1. BSG Task Forces to Develop Proposals for Major Research Projects normally have a maximum 3 year funded life beginning at the AGM after application and approval.
2. The deadline for receipt of applications is 1 November.
3. Applicants should submit 5 copies of the application form and supporting case, which should be no more than 4 sides of A4 in 12 point font and include an outline rationale for establishing the Task Force (including timeliness), the aims and objectives of the group, details of Task Force members and a timescale for meetings.
4. Applications should be sent to: BSG Administrative Assistant, RGS-IBG, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR.
5. On the first working day after the deadline, a copy of all complete applications will be forwarded to each of the members of the Research Sub-Committee and to the Honorary Secretary.
6. If the Research Sub-Committee members require more information, the Chair of the Research Sub-Committee will request the information from the lead applicant within 3 weeks of the deadline. Any such information must be provided within 6 weeks of the original deadline. Within 12 weeks of the deadline the Chair will notify the Honorary Secretary of Research Sub-Committee's recommendations.
7. The Executive Committee will consider the Research Sub-Committee's recommendations at the May (second) EC meeting and the Honorary Secretary will write to each applicant with the result of their submission within 1 week of the May EC meeting. The details of the new BSG Task Force will be announced at the next AGM.
8. Once the Task Force has been approved at the May EC meeting, the lead applicant may write to the Honorary Treasurer requesting the first year's funds in readiness for the initiation of group activity following the next AGM.
9. The lead applicant is required to submit an annual report, outlining activity and the expenditure of BSG funds, in hard copy to the address in para. 4 above and in electronic form to bsg@rgs.org. This must be submitted at least one month prior to the AGM.
10. Reports will be forwarded to members of the Research Sub-Committee and will be considered by the EC at the pre-AGM EC meeting. If the report is approved, the Honorary Secretary will forward it to the Geophemera editor and BSG webmaster for publication. If the reports are deemed unsatisfactory, the Honorary Secretary will write to the author with comments. Approval of the report is a pre-requisite for release of funds for the following year.
11. The Report of the Chair of the Research Sub-Committee to the AGM will include an overview of the success of BSG-sponsored Task Forces.