This is the first stage of a two-stage process.
This first stage for outline proposals replaces the statement of interest stage for a PPRP application round for the funding large or complex scientific projects opportunity. The second stage is to submit a full proposal to PPRP.
Successful applicants will be contacted to support them through the second stage PPRP process.
Intent to submit
If you are interested in submitting an outline proposal, please email STFC with your project name, subject area and likely institutions involved.
STFC must receive the intent to submit by 19 September 2022.
This will assist us in our planning and setting up of the review panel. This is not a mandatory step.
Deadline for outline proposals
STFC must receive your outline proposal application by 17 October 2022 at 12:00.
They should be emailed to Georgina Freeman and Melanie Kidd (see the ‘contact details’ section).
Supporting documents
This outline proposal should include the following.
Case for support
The case for support must include a justification of resources (one side of A4 maximum) and be no longer than 10 sides of A4 in total.
It must be a PDF attachment, be written in Arial (or equivalent) size 11 font and have a minimum of 2cm margins around each page.
Completed finance table
This must include an estimate of the total full economic cost, the capital construction phase and, where possible, the exploitation phase.
Costs must be sufficiently detailed to show that estimates are reasonable.
Download finance table template (XLSX, 14KB).
Content for the case for support
The case for support should be clear and concise with minimal technical jargon. This outline proposal is not a full submission to PPRP and the page limit reflects the shorter version of this submission.
Required points
The outline proposal case for support should cover the following points briefly, which are taken from the PPRP guidance for full proposals.
Scientific needs: objectives
Provide a description of the intended end result of the project. This description should not just encompass the scientific work of the project but should also articulate the value and benefits of investing in the project.
This end result should be clearly stated so that the success or failure of the project can easily be determined at the end of the funded period. Any intermediate results upon which the final result depends should be identified.
Scientific needs: project description
Provide a description of your proposed contribution to the project. The stage of the project (for example, research and development or construction) should be specified.
The document should highlight any unique contributions, likely global impact and aspects of UK leadership.
Scientific needs: work package breakdown
Provide a breakdown of the work packages of the proposal, including a short summary description of the work and overall cost of each package.
Optionally, a work breakdown structure can also be included as part of this section, where appropriate.
Scientific needs: STFC science and strategy
Identify the specific STFC science opportunities that this project addresses:
- how does this relate to STFC priorities
- what aspects are particularly relevant
- what is its potential scientific impact
- are there any long-term implications or liabilities that may be generated as a result of investing in this project?
Scientific needs: awareness and context
Describe the present status of related research and development worldwide:
- where is this research field likely to be in 10 years’ time
- what is the current state of play
- how important is it that we act now
- does the project have a strong supportive user base among the relevant community, both in the UK and internationally?
Scientific needs: competing research
Provide a summary of any competing experiments or research and level of investment.
There should be some analysis of the benefits of this particular research against similar past and current research worldwide.
Scientific needs: track record
Explain your track record in this field:
- why do you consider your group the best or most appropriate to carry out this programme
- how should the panel be confident that you would be able to deliver the project
- what is the competency of your group to perform this work?
Scientific needs: impact
PPRP applications should demonstrate the potential for impact. You must consider how you will or might achieve impact throughout your project. This detail should be included as part of the case for support.
The most important thing to remember is that impact planning is meant to be a forward-looking exercise. It allows you to say what you are going to do to maximise the likelihood of a range of anticipated impacts arising from your proposed project.
It is your chance to be specific and to ask for the resources you need to put your plan into action.
Activities to realise impact do not have to be cost incurring, but costs that are included must be fully justified.
For more information, see the STFC guidance for applicants.
Expected points
The following points are expected to be provided in the case for support. However, at this stage it is not expected they would be in the full level of detail for a PRPP submission.
Business needs: project management plan
A detailed project management plan is not required at this stage. However, you should indicate:
- how the project will be organised
- the duration
- participants
- schedule
- key milestones.
Business needs: justification of resources
Costs must be clearly outlined and a high-level justification of resources given. Indicate if your project will be requesting effort from the nuclear physics cross community team, stating the category of effort you require (electronic, mechanical or software) and how much FTE per year.
Business needs: finance tables
A completed finance table (XLSX, 14KB) with an estimate of the total full economic cost is expected. This must include the capital construction phase and, where possible, the exploitation phase. Costs must be sufficiently detailed to show that estimates are reasonable.
Risk management
A full risk register is not required at this stage, but please provide a brief description of the main risks to the projects, explaining the severity of the risk and any plans for mitigation.
Collaborative projects
Describe linkages or collaborations with key collaborators or external players in this section.
Include a description of how responsibilities are to be shared among the collaborators, both within the UK and internationally.
For international collaborations, you should give:
- the membership of the international collaboration
- a brief breakdown of responsibilities within it
- information on how the significance of the UK contribution to the project fits relative to the contribution from other countries.
The status of approval and funding of any international experiments should be provided.
