Application Procedure

The procedure for obtaining funding from GridNet₂ is as follows:

1. The applicant(s) submits a completed form.
2. The application is judged normally with advice from members of the GNAB₂
3. The applicants are notified of the outcome.
4. Those that are successful become members of the GridNet₂ until the end of GridNet₂ (see membership)

Process

The judgement is formed by the following process:

Step 1: The forms submitted by applicants are submitted automatically to the GridNet₂ administration team.

Step 2: Those that are self-evidently not eligable will receive an immediate negative response with an explanation: e.g.:
1. According to our database you haven't provided information regarding the use of your previous funding.
2. The proposed duration runs beyond the end of GridNet₂.
3. One or more of the people who would be supported do not work at a UK institution.
4. The connection with UK e-Science or e-Infrastructures has not been made.
5. Inappropriate for Fast Track
6. etc.

Step 3: The remaining applications are each assigned to three members of GNAB₂, avoiding any of the institutions involved in the application and taking account of expertise and workload.

Step 4: Their responses are gathered and collated.

Step 5: If they are in agreement, notify outcome. Possible outcomes are: Request clarification, Fund in Full, Fund to a maximum of £XXXX, Don't Fund.

Step 6: If there isn't agreement, the PI will help resolve the outcome, either by assigning additional reviewers or by entering a dialogue with the GNAB₂ members concerned.

Step 7: The applicant is notified. If a new applicant, he or she automatically becomes a member of GridNet₂.

In exceptional cases, a fast track mechanism may be used. This is intended for small sums (currently < £1000), normally where an urgent decision is necessary. In these cases the judgement is made by the PI who must report it to the GNAB₂ - who may discuss it at their next meeting.

Criteria

• The current status with respect to prior GridNet arrangements , i.e. are all financial matters from GridNet₁ and GridNet₂ in good order, and are expected reports and engagement in membership activities reasonably up to date. Judgement of this criterion will take into account that standards work already takes a lot of time, so that it is unreasonable to demand too much additional time and bureaucracy for the conduct of GridNet₂.
• The relevance of the proposed work for UK e-Science , i.e. is the proposed standardisation likely to have significant impact on UK deployment and take up of e-Science methods, both in academia and industry.
• Does the applicant or applicants have the relevant capabilities , i.e. can they allocate sufficient time, do they have relevant experience and knowledge, and will they sustain their engagement. Prior engagement in standards work will be significant evidence, but it is not a prerequisite.
• Are arrangements in place to sustain engagement i.e. is there a plan to continue over a reasonable period and to contribute intensively to specific standards? Continuation of work will where that commitment is already shown will be clear evidence. The period applied for should be appropriate and the applicant(s) should recognise the amount of work needed to have an effect and have agreements in place with employers and colleagues that will enable this commitment.