Events in Physics
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council invites proposals for its call for NetworkPlus on automating science discovery. This aims to develop and support a community working on research that explores the application of artificial intelligence technologies to aid and accelerate discovery in fundamental physical sciences. The aim is to encourage networking between AI and physical scientists, and pump-prime preliminary-stage research, in order to catalyse this area. Funding supports explorative preliminary-stage research and establishing a research community, identify research challenges, strategies and opportunities, as well as building new collaborations across disciplines and organisations supported by funds to pump-prime these interactions. Proposals must be multidisciplinary, be at the cutting edge and represent the state-of-the-art in both the AI and physical science components. Projects must also consider issues relating to responsible innovation to ensure that the political and societal implications of automation are considered and usefully communicated.
All proposals must represent a collaboration between academics in AI and in the physical sciences. Applicants must be based at a UK HEI or an eligible research council institute or independent research organisation. All proposals must be at least 50 per cent within ESPRC鈥檚 remit. There are no limits to the number of applications from particular institutions. If the same institution is also leading an automating science discovery feasibility study bid, the NetworkPlus bid must be significantly different in their focus.
One grant, worth 拢1 million at 80 per cent full economic costs over three years, is available. Funding may cover investigators鈥� salaries, administrative support, travel and substance, organisation of activities, and research costs. Equipment is not available.