Call for Proposals: Newton Agri-Tech in China Network+

Closing date: 4pm on 16th January 2015

STFC RAL Space has won £12M from the Newton Fund to develop a new research and development programme in the area of agricultural technology (agri-tech) in China. This programme has the aim of using the UK’s expertise in remote sensing and modelling to work with and aid the agricultural economy and farming community in China. The £12M fund is spread over 5 years and will build on technologies and expertise in STFC RAL space to make use of breakthroughs in satellite imaging, remote sensing, smart sensors and modelling to help provide facilities and technologies that will support research-driven, decision making tools for farmers and policy makers in China.

As part of the initial phase, STFC RAL Space is inviting proposals to manage an Agri-Tech in China Newton Network+. The purpose of the Network+ will be to ensure that the Agri-Tech in China Newton projects funded through the programme and the associated institutes are networked with each other and with the breadth of activities, disciplines and stakeholders in the Agri-Tech/Global Food Security/Nexus space, including other relevant Newton-funded activities led by other Research Councils.

The Network+ will add value to the Programme by facilitating knowledge sharing and the creation of new partnerships and will play a strategic role in ensuring that research is aligned with user needs. Therefore, a key activity of the Network+ will be to support interactions between STFC-funded researchers and appropriate science, technology, industry and end user groups, both in the UK and in China, including social and economic science aspects. To facilitate this, the Network+ will be able to commission small scoping and proof of concept projects.

The aims of the Network+ include:

• To ensure that the Agri-Tech in China Newton projects and the associated institutes are networked with other activities, existing or planned (e.g. the RCUK Global Food Security programme, ESRC Nexus Network, Agri-Tech Catalyst, Satellite Applications Catapult)
• To develop a multi-disciplinary community focused on addressing agri-tech development issues in China
• To deliver scoping and proof of concept studies to test and de-risk ideas

Further information about the call is available here https://stfc.ac.uk/RALSpace/Areas+of+expertise/Earth+Observation/44763.aspx or contact katharine.hollinshead@stfc.ac.uk