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In March 2010 as part of the outcome of a wider review of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Lord Drayson announced that from April 2011 a new arrangement will see Research Councils UK (RCUK) working with STFC to agree the availability and support requirements for large domestic facilities (the Central Laser Facility, Diamond and ISIS). A project is currently being established to implement this new funding model.
The project will run from now until 31st March 2011 and be divided into two distinct phases. Phase 1, to be completed by 31st August 2010, will focus on establishing the cost base for the facilities and the strategic planning mechanisms across the Research Councils necessary to tension facility costs against all other costs in the science base. Phase 2 of the project will run from 1st September 2010 until 31st March 2011 and establish the mechanisms that will need to be in place to operate the new funding model. During the project there will be consultation with the user community on the changes being implemented; further details of how this will be carried out will be released in due course.
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Contacts: Lesley Thompson, Senior Responsible Owner Lesley.thompson@epsrc.ac.uk
Jennifer Scratcher, Senior Project Manager Jennifer.scratcher@stfc.ac.uk