cc: <CG1@soc.soton.ac.uk>, <MAS@soc.soton.ac.uk>
date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 16:31:12 +0000
from: "Philip  Newton" <ppn@nerc.ac.uk>
subject: Re: RAPID: Assessment of Joint AO Outline Bids
to: <ewwo@bas.ac.uk>, <p.j.valdes@bris.ac.uk>, <marotzke@dkrz.de>, <mccave@esc.cam.ac.uk>, <haugan@gfi.uib.no>, <b.turrell@marlab.ac.uk>, <rwood@meto.gov.uk>, <sfbtett@meto.gov.uk>, <apar@nerc.ac.uk>, "Eric W Wolff" <EWWO@pcmail.nerc-bas.ac.uk>, <j.m.slingo@reading.ac.uk>, <j.lowe@rhbnc.ac.uk>, <p.challenor@soc.soton.ac.uk>, <a.j.watson@uea.ac.uk>, <Alex.Haxeltine@uea.ac.uk>, <k.briffa@uea.ac.uk>

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" <apar@nerc.ac.uk>  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 




                        



