From 13 January 2012 Research Councils UK (RCUK) will no longer fund the Researchers in Residence (RinR) scheme. Since the scheme’s inception 17 years ago the opportunities in the sector for researchers and schools to engage with each other have greatly increased. Although having been of value to researchers and schools alike, this specific design of scheme is no longer able to deliver value for money.
RCUK continue to be fully committed to the Public Engagement with Research agenda through the collective and individual activities of the Research Councils. A variety of policy and practical initiatives exist to support researchers in demonstrating impact and explaining the value of research. These include resources for working with schools and inspiring young people. RCUK will continue to inspire young people and support researchers through other programmes and initiatives that demonstrate excellence with impact as well as value for money. RCUK is working closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Department for Education (DfE) and other partner organisations to explore how best to reinvest the money into more effective models of supporting researchers to connect with schools.
The focus over the next six months of the RinR scheme will be to complete as many placements as possible for those researchers and schools that have already applied to take part before the scheme closes on the 13 January 2012. Because of this, RinR is now closed to any further applications.
Further information can be found here 
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Further information
Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592
Notes to editors
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).