How the Programme is Run
How the Programme is Run
A research Programme is strategic. It stimulates research in an area which has been identified as particularly important, and where there is an urgent need for more research.
Strategic topics are identified by wide consultation. Research councils take the final decision about which to fund. Once that decision has been made, a Programme Specification is drawn up, which outlines the objectives and scope of a Programme.
When the Director is appointed he or she has overall responsibility for running the Programme. The Director is normally an academic. He or she is assisted by an assistant, and by administrative staff at the research council. See Personnel.
The Programme is overseen by a Steering Committee and a Commissioning Panel is responsible for deciding which research applications will be funded. See How Research is Commissioned.
On a day to day basis, the Programme Director and other personnel supporting the Programme deal with queries, administration, budgeting, and so on. The Director also travels extensively, in order to publicise the Programme, meet researchers, establish links with interested parties and so on.
The Programme Director organises meetings, conferences, workshops, and dissemination days throughout the life of the Programme.
The Programme is evaluated on an annual basis, and the annual reports will be posted here.