KESS Applicants’ Workshop

1. KESS Applicants’ Workshop Part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Assembly Government.

2. Applicants Workshop Provide project background Brief you on the current call for applications Provide information on what makes a good application

3. What is KESS? ESF supported collaborative research projects linked to businesses based in the Convergence region of Wales (West Wales and the Valleys), focused on meeting the higher-level skills needs of WAGs priority sectors. KESSMini (Research Masters) KESSMaxi (PhD) Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) - all KESS scholars undertake research, business and innovation skills training as part of their scholarships

4. Project Background:

5. West Wales & the ValleysConvergence Region

6. ESF Convergence Programme Overall Aim To create a high skill, knowledge driven economy with full employment, a skilled, adaptable workforce and responsive businesses, at the cutting edge of sustainable development Priority 3 - Improving skills levels and adaptability of the workforce. Theme 2 - Skills for the Knowledge Economy: higher level skills and systems for workforce development

7. Objectives Prepare and train individuals to contribute to research as professionals; Increase the research capacity of SMEs by linking with Masters and PhD projects; Encourage SMEs to undertake research and recruit researchers; Support the development of key technologies in the Convergence area; Promote Higher-level Skills Development in the Welsh workforce

8. WAG’s Priority R&D Sectors:

9. Project Headlines • Officially launched in Nov 09 by the Deputy First Minister and Education Minister; • Led by Bangor on behalf the HE sector in Wales; • The largest of the 4 ESF collaborative HEI projects (ATM, WBL and Foundation Degrees); • 400+ scholarships over 5 years; • 96 KESS scholarships live in Wales (Oct. 10); • Unique in the way it uses ESF to support Higher level skills development

10. The 3 core components of a KESS Scholarship:

11. Penny Dowdney Research Skills Development Manager

12. Postgraduate Skills Development Award • Skills Forge software: initial skills audit; drop-down menu of provision; booking system; calendar; records (skills training and supervisory meetings); details can be locked. • MRes: 60/120 credit split: 30 KESS credits: need to attend a 2-day GRAD School (10 credits). • PhD: 60 KESS credits: 3-day GRAD School in year two (20 credits). • GRAD Schools run North, Mid + South Wales spring / autumn.

13. Postgraduate Skills Development Award (cont.) • Credits can be made up of modular courses (generic or discipline-specific); • Credits can be made up of an equivalent number of hours of agreed training (e.g. workshops / events etc.) • Training will meet the needs of the individual; • Students may be able to pick up training at partner institutions; • Guideline: 20 credits = 3 days of training (at appropriate level); • Certificate on completion of PSDA; • Completion will be monitored (Skills Forge;) • Training throughout PhD period.

14. 2011 Applications

15. Bangor’s Allocation 2011/2012 • 15 PhDs • 13 MRes • Scholarship allocated through a competitive call for projects: • Opens: 10th January 2011 • Closes: 25th February 2011 • Outcome of applications published before Easter • Scholarships start Sept. 2011 at the latest

17. KESS: Eligibility • Range of partners (must be based in the Convergence area): • Micro and SMEs • Large Companies • 3rd Sector • Public Sector Organisations (case by case basis) • Student must be based in the Convergence area on application and have the right to work here on completion of the project; • IP owned by host University (exclusive and non exclusive licenses available to exploit IP – additional cost).

18. KESS: Public Sector eligibility Projects of last resort; • Overall balance between SME projects and others; • Potential for economic benefit; • Skills developed of relevance to the private sector in the convergence area; • WEFO’s preference is for “research being carried out under the auspices of links with private sector, with support from and buy in of the relevant public body.”

19. KESS Priority Sectors • Welsh Assembly Government’s priority economic sectors: • Digital Economy (ICT) • Low Carbon Economy • Health and Bioscience • Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing • Can consider other project if they can demonstrate fit with:Economic Renewal Programme / spatial plan / cross cutting technologies / demand from local employers

20. KESS: approval criteria • Fit with WAG’s priority economic sectors; • Potential economic benefit of the project; • Quality of the research proposal; • Fit with the University’s research strategy;

21. KESS: approval criteria Other considerations: • Academic’s track record of working collaboratively; • Commitment of the project partners to skills development; • Financial status of the partner (credit check); • Linkage with other European funded projects, Aber-Bangor Partnership, KT projects etc. • Preference for new partners

22. KESS - benefits of participating (Companies) Business focused research; Attract and support the development of researchers in your company; Establish on-going links with the University; Support other projects e.g. KTP; Up-skill existing staff; Low cost of participating

23. Company partner contribution

24. Financial Makeup of a KESS Scholarship:

25. Scholarship Budget

26. KESS: Approval process Step 1 - Initial project discussions with potential partnersSupport available from Central KESS team to screen ideas, identify partners, etc. Step 2 - Company and academic complete application form Guidance available from Central KESS teamSign off by Head of School Step 3 - Initial assessmentKESS central team to check eligibility, fit and company finances for the proposed project Step 4 - Assessment by College Director of ResearchQuality of Research proposal and fit with college research priorities Step 5 - Final assessment by the KESS Approval PanelApproval / Decline

27. KESS: Support and Help Completing the application form; Initial screening of ideas; Advice on identifying company partners; Navigating ‘WEFO’ speak; Company credit checks; Linking with other KT projects in the University

28. Other Opportunities: • Look out for the college specific funding sheets hitting your inbox soon. • Also downloadable from www.bangor.ac.uk/rio • A4 sheet with opportunities from: • Major UK funders • Postgraduate opportunities • Innovation / collaborative opportunities

29. KESS Central Team Mr Bryn JonesMr Chris Hillier Project Manager Business Development Manager Tel: 01248 383887 Tel: 01248 382357 Email: bryn.jones@bangor.ac.uk Email: c.hillier@bangor.ac.uk Mr Brian Murcutt Ms Katie Minton Senior Project Administrator Senior Clerical Admin Tel: 01248 382162 Tel: 01248 383582 Email: b.murcutt@bangor.ac.uk Email: k.j.minton@bangor.ac.uk Mrs Penny DowdneyMr Steve Moss Research Skills Development Manager Senior Clerical Admin (Finance) Tel: 01248 382266 Tel: 01248 382162 Email: p.j.dowdney@bangor.ac.uk Email: fox802@bangor.ac.uk

30. Further information / Contact details: web: www.higherskillswales.co.uk/kess e-mail: kess@bangor.ac.uk tel: 01248 38 2162 / 3887

31. Cwestiynau / Questions? Diolch yn fawr / Thank you