cc: , date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 16:31:12 +0000 from: "Philip Newton" subject: Re: RAPID: Assessment of Joint AO Outline Bids to: , , , , , , , , , "Eric W Wolff" , , , , , , Hi Eric (and listeners), In case of any misunderstanding, five RAPID SC members are on the joint committee, who will effectively have delegated responsibility for recommendations on outline bids that could ultimately lead to awards of up to £1M of RAPID monies. I feel I should provide more background explanation... Basically, new Norwegian conflict of interest rules at their strictest disallow anyone from the same country as eligible scientists! (So on their committees they now exclude all Norwegians). For the purposes of this venture, they were happy with people who are not eligible to bid (whether for funds or as collaborators). Basically, this pretty much rules out all but those on the RAPID SC who have been asked to participate (e.g. people like Simon, Richard and Bill are named collaborators on some bids). As about 60% of the bids are palaeo related, a special case was made for Sandy, on the grounds that neither he nor anyone from Edinburgh is involved in any of the outline bids. You were also considered for the palaeo exception, but the fact that Rob Mulvaney from BAS is a co-I on one bid, doing ice-core work, put you behind Sandy. On the more general issue, we have a committee of 8, of which 5 are RAPID SC members (60% of members), for a joint pot of money to which RAPID has contributed less than 40% of the money. On top of this, we should remember that the Dutch and Norwegians were happy for the science focus of the call to map completely on the RAPID Science Plan. Personally, I think that adds up to a good deal for RAPID and for NERC. I am happy for us to have a discussion of such issues at the RAPID SC meeting, where there is an item scheduled for an update on the joint venture.This might be more efficient than multiple e-mail exchanges? Best Wishes, Phil >>> Eric W Wolff 01/13/04 04:10pm >>> Hi Andy, Of course it's nice to have an unexpected free day, though I am a little mystefied why I would be one of those disallowed from the second day, as I am certainly not knowingly represented on any AOs. I am a little concerned that a large sum of RAPID money has been taken so effectively out of any control of the RAPID SC, but I won't pursue it. Anyway, I will not need accommodation in that case. Best regards Eric <<< "Andy Parsons" 1/13 2:49p >>> Dear SC member, As you know, following the RAPID Steering Committee meeting on 11th February, in London, there will be a further meeting on 12th February, also in London, to consider the outline bids arising from the Anglo-Dutch-Norwegian joint call for proposals (attached, for info). This e-mail is to let you know that you will NOT be required for the 12th February meeting. The composition of the committee was heavily dictated by the very strict rules on conflict of interest of the Norwegian Research Council, and we have had to be flexible with those rules even to enable a handful of RAPID SC members. The reason for the delay in letting you know has been due to negotiations on this issue. Essentially, present responsibility for representing RAPID's science interests in the joint venture will be through Lloyd Keigwin, Sandy Tudhope, Bob Dickson, Peter Lemke and Mike Hulme. Phil Newton and Meric/Christine will play the usual management roles. These five will be joined on the outline-bid committee by Henk Dijkstra (formerly Utrecht, now Colorado), Bert Rudels (Finland) and Goran Bjork (Sweden). You will be provided with more information about the joint venture through the RAPID SC meeting/papers. If you have not yet contacted me with accommodation requirements for 10th/11th February, please could you do so as soon as possible. Best Wishes, Andy Dr. Andy Parsons Science Programmes Officer Natural Environment Research Council Polaris House North Star Avenue Swindon SN2 1EU Tel +44 (0)1793 411679 Fax +44 (0)1793 411545 andy.parsons@nerc.ac.uk