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Ecology into Policy Grant (EIPG)

A priority for the BES is to ensure that decisions on environmental management and policy matters are made in the light of the best available scientific evidence.  In developing the Ecology into Policy Grant to support researchers to undertake systematic reviews the BES is keen to see that the work is done to an appropriate standard. It is therefore important that, should your application be successful, in doing the review you get advice from an informed source.  At present, the most suitable source of advice is from the Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation.

Ecology into Policy Grant
EIPGs are to enable researchers to produce a draft protocol, or if funding and time allow, a full systematic review. The purpose of systematic reviews are to provide the best available evidence on the likely outcomes of various actions and, if the evidence is unavailable, to highlight areas where further original research is required.

Eligibility
EIPGs are awarded to people and not to organisations.  EIPGs are only open to current BES members.

Grant covers
Grants are given towards the cost of accessing information (including travel), the employment of short-term assistance, training to conduct systematic reviews and purchasing statistical software.  The total amount of an EIPG can not exceed £5000.  Employment of short-term assistance cannot exceed £1,500.

Application
The application form should include details of the following:

• details of the protocol for the review (see Centre for Evidence Based Conservation for details of protocol structure and guidelines), including background, a breakdown of the review question, search strategy and study inclusion criteria
• policy relevance of the review question (i.e. how the systematic review question relates to policy) and identify the stakeholders with whom you will liaise
• access to equipment (i.e. the use of a computer and statistical software)
• access to information (i.e. the use of an academic library and relevant journals)
• agreed supervisory or specialist help (i.e. to help with the methodology)

Since systematic reviews are usually collaborative, you should list independent subject experts that will comment on progress at key stages of your review.

It is essential that a complete and detailed costing of the project is included. Applications with vague costing will be rejected. Even if you seek a partial contribution to the cost of a project, the costing of the whole project should be detailed, making it clear which part you are hoping that the BES will support. Please state the total amount sought from the BES.

When calculating cost of travel, please note that mileage is paid at a maximum of 25p/mile. Please also note that the Society will not cover the salary of the principal researcher within the grant, bench fees or the direct costs for the hire of departmental vehicles.

Although supporting documentation (e.g. tables of data, reports, papers etc.) is welcome (and will be seen by the Chairperson) only the two pages of the application form will be seen by members of the Committee. Please therefore include all information on the form. We cannot undertake to return material without a.s.a.e.

Use of information by the Society
The Society has the right to use the information on the first page of the application form to publicise the Ecology into Policy Grant in Society material, with policymakers and the media.  If your application is successful, please send the Society copies of articles that mention your grant and/or the BES.

The completed review will be submitted to the BES in an electronic format to be placed on the BES website and for a summary to be placed in the BES bulletin as well.   Abstracts from EIPG reports may be printed in the BES Bulletin and must not be the same as that which might appear in a journal.  The final systematic review might be used by the Society in liaising with policy audiences. 

Centre for Evidence Based Conservation
Individuals considering applying for an EIPG are encouraged to contact the Centre for Evidence Based Conservation in advance, to discuss details of the systematic review process, the costs involved and to get training in undertaking systematic reviews.  Completed systematic reviews may be submitted to the CEBC for peer review and, if successful, placing in the CEBC library of reviews.

Closing Date
7 September 2008

Applications
Applicationsand a Gender and Ethnicity monitoring form should be sent via email to the Grants Officer with two accompanying signed referee statements via post or fax to the BES office.

Conditions of the grant

• This grant is only open to current BES members
• All people awarded a grant are required to submit the completed protocol or full review within 12 months of the award being granted
• Published papers, reports to other organisations, etc., should include an acknowledgement of the support from the BES
• Other conditions, which may be deemed necessary, may be attached to the award of a grant
• Applications longer than two pages will be rejected.

Committee responsible for the grant
Public and Policy Committee

Related Information:

• Other BES Grants
• Centre for Evidence Based Conservation
• Conservationevidence.com

Copyright 2008 British Ecological Society. All Rights Reserved