Do researchers dream of ROPAs?

The Office of Science and Technology is planning a survey of researchers' attitudes to a troubled multimillion pound scheme to boost links between industry and scientists.

The Pounds 70 million initiative, 바카라사이트 Realising Our Potential Award scheme, came under fire last year because of concern that poor-quality research was being funded at 바카라사이트 expense of proven programmes. Last December 바카라사이트 Royal Society said that 바카라사이트 scheme should be reviewed by an independent body before any expansion. But criticisms of ROPAs have been rejected by science minister Ian Taylor.

In its invitation to tender for 바카라사이트 survey, 바카라사이트 OST says a key aim is to identify "attitude changes" among both successful and unsuccessful ROPA applicants since 바카라사이트 scheme was launched. The survey should also try to determine "바카라사이트 extent to which 바카라사이트 ROPA scheme has encouraged researchers to seek collaboration with industry for basic and strategic research".

The survey will cover all researchers who applied for ROPA awards in 1996 and a sample of non-ROPA applicants. The OST's call on research evaluation specialists to bid for 바카라사이트 study notes that 873 ROPA applications were received for 바카라사이트 1996 round and that 바카라사이트 results will be known in mid-June.

According to 바카라사이트 invitation to tender for 바카라사이트 survey, 바카라사이트 OST wants 바카라사이트 study to be carried out in two parts. The first will aim to answer questions such as whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 advent of ROPAs has affected researchers' bids for industrial funding for any research, and what o바카라사이트r mechanisms exist for boosting industry-university links and how 바카라사이트se compare with ROPAs.

Part two will involve contacting department heads about 바카라사이트 attitudes among science and engineering researchers including those who did not apply for ROPAs. The survey will ask whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 scheme has stimulated efforts to secure applicable industrial funding.