UK funding organisations join forces to promote resources for researchers

A group of UK funders of research fellowships and other stakeholders today (23 January) announce agreement of a number of principles to support researchers who move between the UK research base and other nations around the world.

To maintain the excellent quality of the UK research base it is vital to encourage UK researchers to work in partnerships with the best minds from around the world and attract international researchers to come and work in the UK.

A recent study by Elsevier for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base 2011 found that UK researchers’ ability to move internationally is a key element underpinning the high productivity of our research base.

There are a number of resources available to researchers, so as a group the following principles have been agreed and adopted:

1. UK research funders, learned societies and other stakeholders are committed to ensuring that researchers who have trained or worked in the UK have access to the information they may require to enable their continuing involvement with the UK research base.

2. The ‘Euraxess UK’ website (which is funded by BIS and managed by the British Council) will be promoted as the key information portal for researchers and will contain links to relevant funders, careers information from Vitae and subject specific web sites.

3. UK research funders, learned societies and other stakeholders will work with the British Council to maintain and improve the quality of the information provision on ‘Euraxess UK’.

4. Euraxess LINKS will be promoted as a networking tool for researchers working outside Europe.

Professor Rick Rylance, Chair of RCUK said: “RCUK supports the excellent people and excellent research that constitute the UK’s world leading research base. We are committed to working in partnership with the other funders of academic fellowships to ensure researchers moving in and out of the UK research base have the support they need to make informed decisions.”

Dr Jo Beall, director of education and society, British Council, said: “We welcome the commitment to further promote Euraxess. International experience and collaboration is vital to maintaining and strengthening the UK’s research base. It’s very important, therefore that the best possible information is available to support researchers and encourage them in thinking globally.”

The working group included:

• Research Councils UK
• Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
• Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW)
• Scottish Funding Council
• The Royal Society
• The Royal Academy of Engineering
• British Academy
• Wellcome Trust
• Academy of Medical Sciences
• Universities UK
• British Council
• Vitae

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Further information

Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592

Notes to editors

1. Euraxess UK is funded by BIS and managed by the British Council and provides information and advice for research staff, international researchers wishing to come to the UK or for those looking for jobs in research abroad. More information is available here

2. Euraxess LINKS is a networking tool for European researchers working outside Europe. It has thus far been launched in the USA, Japan and China. It provides information about research in Europe, European research policy, opportunities for research funding, for international collaboration and for trans-national mobility. Membership is free. More information is available here

3. The International Comparative Performance of the UK Research 2011 report was prepared by Elsevier for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. It found the UK research base to be the most productive in the world and that the UK generates more articles per researcher, more citations per researcher and more usage per article authored. A copy of the report is available here

4. Vitae is the UK organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of postgraduate researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes. We play a major role in the drive for high-level skills and innovation and in the UK's goal to produce world class researchers. Our vision is for the UK to be world-class in supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers. Vitae is supported by Research Councils UK (RCUK), managed by CRAC: The Career Development Organisation and delivered in partnership with regional Hub host universities. For more information about Vitae activities, visit the website www.vitae.ac.uk

5. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education Funding Councils, 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).