STFC is carrying out a review of the implementation of consolidated grants. The 2010 STFC Grants Funding Mechanism Review recommended the introduction of Consolidated Grants to support science exploitation for STFC’s research communities. Since 2010 Consolidated Grants have been phased in according to the timing of grants panel rounds.

The Consolidated Grant Implementation Review will:

i)  identify any recommendations from the Grants Funding Mechanism Review that have not been implemented, and recommend any appropriate actions;

ii) identify  any unexpected consequences of the implementation of the consolidated grants scheme;

iii) assess any differences between the detailed implementation in different communities (and whether this is justified by the varying characteristics of the programmes) and

iv) identify any improvements that can be made in the implementation, whilst retaining the original aims for consolidated grants.

The Review Panel, chaired by Professor Alan Heavens, will gather input from the grants panels, relevant STFC staff and grant-holders, with the review expected to be completed by July.

A questionnaire has been issued to all consolidated grant Principal Investigators who have been asked to consult their Co-Investigators in compiling their response. Members of the STFC research communities are asked to provide any comments that they wish to make for the review via the PI of the appropriate Consolidated Grant. However, if this is not possible, copies of the questionnaire can be obtained from Rachel Reynolds, Science Strategy (rachel.reynolds@stfc.ac.uk). Responses must be returned by the end of March 2014.

There will be further opportunities for the research communities to provide input to the review at the Particle Physics and Nuclear Physics Town Meetings in early April and at the next Astronomy Forum.