The EPSRC UK-RAS Network is issuing a call for Strategic Task Groups in robotics and autonomous systems, in a new initiative aimed at boosting the strategic development of RAS in the UK and across the UK-RAS partner network.

The EPSRC UK-RAS Network is seeking to fund a number of key Strategic Task Groups through which a variety of activities can be organized. These issue-based interest groups will be initiated by members of the EPSRC UK-RAS Network. In collaboration with the Executive Committee, the task groups will organize and coordinate continuous activities focused on research interests.

The aims of Strategic Task Groups could include:

• Identifying research gaps and challenges
• Devising roadmaps or strategic solutions via the production of white papers, organization of robotics challenges, workshops, symposia and conferences
• Creating public engagement activities, such as exhibitions, hackathons, festivals, conferences and demonstrations
• Promoting academia-industry liaison
• Developing scoping projects to explore wider research collaboration opportunities

Activities span the full spectrum, from basic research to technological development and concrete innovation, developing paths of knowledge transfer, as well as identifying actual and potential academia-industry cooperation. Strategic Task Groups will be instrumental to providing future strategic direction to the UK, the EPSRC UK-RAS Network, and its relationship with other relevant organizations.

Through these types of activities, the formation of the Strategic Task Groups will  help members and non-members become involved with cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary activities, research projects and events; promote ground-up engagement; drive strategic decisions, and influence policy and funding decisions, as well as promote RAS research within the UK.

Members of the EPSRC UK-RAS Network can apply now for funding to set up a Strategic Task Group (https://www.ukras.org/members/strategic-task-groups/). Up to £150,000 is available to allocate to Strategic Task Group activities over the next two years. Each application requires a minimum of 3 partner institutions, and applications that include partners outside the network are encouraged.  The deadline for applications is 15th January 2020.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ukras.org/