Opportunity: TSB announces £13m crop protection R&D competition, c/d 25 Feb 2010

The Technology Strategy Board has announced a new competition with £13m available for industry-led projects that will help growers respond to the challenge of increasing crop productivity whilst also reducing the environmental impact of crop production.

The competition opens on January 18th 2010 and aims to meet existing and new EU regulation on the approval and use of pesticides. This call is relevant to businesses and stakeholders across the agricultural supply chain, including those involved in the following sectors:

• arable crops including wheat, barley, oilseed rape, potatoes and pulse crops
• horticulture
• grasses and forage crops
• crops for biofuels, and other non-food uses
• in the field or protected cultivation

Further information is available at the Technology Strategy Board website.

The Biosciences KTN, which is free to join, can help assist by providing advice on project scope and fit to eligibility criteria; identification of potential collaborative partners; confidential review of draft proposals.

Opportunity: Board Members - Technology Strategy Board, c/d 16 Feb 2009

The Technology Strategy Board is an independent Government body with responsibility for encouraging innovation in the UK, through investment and development programmes such as the Knowledge Transfer Networks.

The Technology Strategy Board is governed by a Board chaired by Graham Spittle. Board members establish the overall strategic direction of the Technology Strategy Board. Several positions on the Governing Board are available.

They require Board members who have knowledge and experience of the exploitation of science, technology and new ideas by business knowledge and Board members with experience of a range of key specified technologies.

The role requires a time commitment of around eighteen days per year, for between two and four years and offers a remiuneration of £9180 per annum.

For full details of the role requirements and how to apply, see the Public Appointments website. Closing date for applications is 16 Feb 2009.

Opportunity: Chair, Technology Strategy Board, c/d 29 August 2008

The Technology Strategy Board is an independent Government body with responsibility for encouraging innovation in the UK, through investment and development programmes such as the Knowledge Transfer Networks.

The current Chair of the Technology Strategy Board is Graham Spittle, whose appointment is due to expire on 30 November 2008 and applications are being sought until 29 August 2008.

The Chair of the Technology Strategy Board is appointed by the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills. The Chair’s role is, in general, to provide effective strategic leadership of the Technology Strategy Board and to speak on behalf of the Board. The Chair will work closely with the full-time Chief Executive Officer, who is the Technology Strategy Board’s Accounting Officer, and a Board of up to 14 members, leading the Technology Strategy Board in pursuit of its mission. The Chief Executive has executive responsibility for the day-to-day operations and administration of the Technology Strategy Board and also represents for the Board in public in relation to agreed policies and programmes. The role requires at least 24 days work per year, and is paid. Full details are on the Public Appointments website.