National Nuclear User Facilities Access Scheme Management Group

A call inviting proposals to run the management group for the National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF) access fund.

The National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF) is a distributed centre of excellence in nuclear science and technology dedicated to the provision of national and internationally leading facilities. It has two core activities: the operation of key facilities needed to undertake research and development on the operation and future development of nuclear plant in the UK, and the training of the next generation of nuclear scientists in core skills and the use of modern equipment.

The first two rounds of funding provided £100 million of funding to establish 30 facilities housed in 12 universities, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the National Nuclear Laboratory and Diamond Light Source.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is inviting proposals to run the management group for the National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF) access fund. This group will be expected to:

• Distribute user access funds via a peer review process to eligible UK researchers.
• Maintain and develop the US irradiated materials exchange scheme.
• Promote the NNUF as a facility both nationally and internationally.
• Maintain the coherence of the NNUF community.
• Maintain the NNUF website.

The group will also be expected to provide a consolidated report to EPSRC every six months consisting of access awards funded; facility user statistics; and the impact of the access funds (such as papers, patents, follow on grants, training statistics).

The duration of the award is for a maximum of 60 months.