Objectives
SPARC was a capacity building network designed to increase the ability of the United Kingdom to conduct ageing research over the medium term. The network was a unique venture by BBSRC & EPSRC..
SPARC pursued three main activities:
- Networking through workshops and meetings to showcase current ageing research and to build agendas for future research
- Advocacy of the challenges faced by older people and an ageing population and of the contribution of research to improving quality of life
- The administration of a small awards scheme for building the capacity for ageing research in the UK.
SPARC was active between 2005-2008.
The Research Council required SPARC to:
- Organise at least 12 workshops aimed at biologists, physical scientists, designers, engineers and practitioners interested in conducting or continuing ageing-related research. (see Network for more details)
- Organise and manage at least two calls for proposals for capacity building awards. £725,000 has been allocated to the support of this activity. (see Awards for more details)
At the end of its lifetime they would judged SPARC to have been a success if:
- The activities above had been completed.
- At least 60% of SPARC awards had generated at least one follow-on application to a main funding body.
- At least 30% of SPARC award holders had succeeded in becoming Principal Investigators on conventional Research Council grants within two years of completion of their SPARC awards.
About SPARC: Overview | Objectives | Background | Advisory Committee | SPARC Secretariat | SPARC Reports | Membership Registration - Register your interest in SPARC |
