Funding: 1851 Commission Industrial Fellowships 2008, cd 31 January 2008

The 1851 Commission offers eight Industrial Fellowships to fund the placement of industry employees in UK universities, to conduct a research programme that will benefit both the company and the academic partner. The scheme is targeted to recent graduates in engineering, science or medicine, and all areas of industry are eligible. One Fellowship is offered in the electro-technology sector in cooperation with the ERA Foundation. The Fellowship contributes toward salary costs, university fees and overseas travel costs. Closing date for applications is 31 January 2008.

Policy input: Parliament enquiry into Biosecurity in UK research laboratories, c/d 26 January 2008

The House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee is seeking written evidence for its enquiry on Biosecurity in UK research laboratories. Issues to be examined include the current capacity for research on dangerous pathogenic material in the UK and the capability to conduct research on the causative agents of disease that may emerge at a future time and the state of biological containment facilities in the UK. The House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee is a Select Committee of Parliament, and scrutinises the work and policies relating to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Although its reports and recommendations are not binding, but must be responded to by the Department, and are influentual. For each inqury it undertakes, it asks for written evidence (statements of fact and suggestions of recommendations), which it reviews. Anyone may submit written evidence, which should be written specially for the Committee, and should be brief. Evidence for this enquiry should be submitted by noon on Friday 26 January 2008 in the format described on the Biosecurity in UK research laboratories webpage.

Policy input: Parliament enquiry into renewable electricity generation technologies, c/d 15 January 2008

The House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee is seeking written evidence for its enquiry on Renewable electricity generation technologies. Issues to be examined include the current state of UK research and development in, and the deployment of, renewable electricity-generation technologies; public funding, and other support, for the development of renewable electricity-generation technologies and incentives for technology transfer; the establishment and role of the Energy Technologies Institute; commercialising renewable technologies; and whether the UK has the skills base to underpin the development of renewable technology. The House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee is a Select Committee of Parliament, and scrutinises the work and policies relating to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Although its reports and recommendations are not binding, but must be responded to by the Department, and are influentual. For each inqury it undertakes, it asks for written evidence (statements of fact and suggestions of recommendations), which it reviews. Anyone may submit written evidence, which should be written specially for the Committee, and should be brief. Evidence for this enquiry should be submitted by noon on Friday 15 January 2008 in the format described on the Renewable electricity generation technologies webpage.