£1.5m available from BBSRC and NERC to support sustainable agriculture

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) invite applications to attend an interactive strategic workshop (Sandpit) to develop proposals for research and research translation projects.

Successful projects will bring together multidisciplinary teams to address challenges facing the sustainable intensification of agriculture in the UK. The Sandpit will be held 24-26 October 2017 in Birmingham. Travel, hotel costs and meals for the duration of the workshop will be covered by NERC for academic delegates.

The projects will be supported through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Innovation Club (SARIC) which funds projects within the themes of: resilient and robust crop and livestock production systems and predictive capabilities for sustainable agriculture.

The Sandpit will commence with presentations from the industrial members of SARIC to stimulate the development of project ideas. Sandpit participants will develop and present a project idea in a multidisciplinary team to an expert panel on the final day of the Sandpit. Full proposals will be invited for submission through Je-S in November 2017. Reasonable costs for travel and accommodation will be met for participants.

Application deadline: 11 September 2017, 4pm

Apply to attend: www.nerc.ac.uk/innovation/activities/sustainablefood/saric/sandpit2017/

Information about SARIC: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/saric