Call for proposals - Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) research and development

Applications are invited for a programme to develop key UK technologies for Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs) operating in the visible and infrared. The programme aims to help position the UK community to secure the maximum scientific and technological return within a future ELT programme.

ELT technology case for support

The following notes provide guidance on writing the case for support for ELT Technology funding. The case for support must accompany the research grant or PRI application form when making a full proposal. For guidance on completing the form, you should refer to the Je-S Helptext (link opens in a new window) (for research grant applications) or to the PRI Form Guidance Notes (PDF - 123kB) (link opens in a new window).

You should be mindful of both clarity and brevity when preparing your application and present the case for support in such a way that it is easy for the assessment panel to follow, ensuring that it is self-contained and not reliant on any appendices. Remember that not all members of the panel will be as familiar with your research topic as you are.

Where the proposal provides added value to work funded from elsewhere, the applicants must clearly show what research is being funded from which source, the level of funding from other sources, demonstrate that this funding is in place or provide a timescale for when funding decision will be known.

Length of case for support

The case for support should not exceed 3 sides of A4 (minimum font: equivalent to Times New Roman pt 11) plus a further 3 sides per FTE requested. Where these limits are exceeded, PPARC may reject the proposal, refer the application back to the applicant for revision or only use the qualifying number of pages for the review process.

Essential supplementary information

As part of your application you must provide the following information:

Where appropriate, a list of relevant publications in refereed journals (and, if you wish, in conference proceedings, but these should be listed separately) for yourself, your co-applicants and any key named people;

Curricula vitae (maximum length: 1 side of A4) for any essential named staff;

A summary of current PPARC grants involving your organisation, with their titles, values, the number and type of staff posts funded by them and their start and end dates. It should be clear to the assessment panel how the programme to be carried out on the requested grant fits in with, or differs from, on-going PPARC-supported projects in the group/department, so some explanatory words should be included where this may not be obvious from the bare grant details;

This information is in addition to your case for support and should be attached as appendices.

Additional appendices

Additional appendices may only be used to present supplementary information which helps substantially to explain or clarify the main case (e.g. project schedules, technical information, detailed lists of equipment requests etc) and they should be as brief as possible. They should be directly pertinent to the case for support, but the case should not rely on them and it will be at PPARC's discretion whether or not they are sent to referees and to the assessment panel. Reprints or preprints of publications should not be included; nor should press articles or clippings.

Appendices must not be used to expand the scientific case for support.

Guideline levels

For applicants used to applying to PPARC Grants Panels please note that the guidelines for computing, travel, administration support, etc, do not apply. All resources requested need to be justified in the case for support.