Ŝer Cymru Capacity Building Accelerator Awards

The Ŝer Cymru Capacity Building Awards aim to support the commitments the UK Government outlines within the “Industrial Strategy”, celebrating the countries position at being at the forefront of global scientific research. This will be facilitated by “The Industrial Challenge Strategy Fund” (£725m) which will enable growth in sectors and projects where the UK is leading and can drive global development.

These awards will help to build and/or strengthen capacity in  the SMART specialist areas (Life Sciences and Health; Low Carbon Energy and Environment; Advanced Engineering and Materials; and ICT and Digital Economy)  or projects in Welsh Universities which will  enable them to build their research groups to prepare for research funding applications and industrial collaborations. Applications linked to previous or current investments by WG/WEFO/Ŝer Cymru will be prioritised.

There are 5 awards available under this scheme with a regional split of 2 East Wales and 3 West Wales and the Valleys.

The Capacity building accelerator awards would be 2-3 years in duration in the region of £0.5m each and can be used to provide staff salaries, travel and subsistence, capital equipment and/or consumables.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications should be aligned to Welsh Strategically Significant Areas
• Applicants must be employed by a Welsh Institution
• Applications must comply with the fundamental ethic principles as detailed in the ethics section.
• Applicants must have the support of their chosen host commercial/academic institution.
• Applicants must outline how the expertise will be enhanced and maintained in Wales.

Application Process

Applicants will need to propose a suitable project to be carried out in a Welsh host institution in the list.  

The research project will be created by the applicant but they must discuss this with their potential host institution before submission. 

All projects will be subject to ethical scrutiny and applicants will need to complete the ethical issues section within their application form.

Applicants should also include in their application form a copy of their most recent CV, no more than 3 pages in length.  This should include information about their education, previous employment and other relevant experience, information about any career breaks taken for maternity or caring responsibilities and so on, and a list of all their publications and grants awarded. 

Applicants should also provide in the covering email the names of 2 referees who know their work and the proposed area of research.

Host institutions should provide a breakdown of the costs for the fellow using the tables within the application form.