Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851

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Please see the Commission’s website or contact;

Mr Malcolm Shirley CEng Secretary Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
Sherfield Building
Imperial College
London, SW7 2AZ
T:   020 7594 8790
E:   royalcom1851@imperial.ac.uk

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 was established in 1850 by Her Majesty Queen Victoria to mastermind the Great Exhibition. Prince Albert was its President and took personal charge of the whole complex operation.

A century and a half on, the Commission's educational programme perpetuates the Great Exhibition's original vision.

The core programme of the Commission's awards are as below and they also offers a Research Fellowship for the Built Environment and a Research Fellowship in Design and well as occasional Special Awards.

 

Research Fellowships

To apply for a Research Fellowship you need to complete the online application.

The scheme of 1851 Research Fellowships is intended to give a few PhD level scientists or engineers of outstanding promise the opportunity for conducting research for a further period. Previously for two years, these fellowships will now be awarded for three years, providing an exceptional opportunity for PhD graduates to pursue further research at the highest levels. Approximately eight awards are made each year.

The Fellowships are open to candidates in any of the physical or biological sciences, in mathematics, in applied science, or in any branch of engineering. Candidates in science subjects should normally have recently obtained their PhD degree, or be in the final stages of their PhD studies. Those offering engineering do not have to be in possession of a PhD, but must be of at least PhD standard.

Applications from qualified engineering researchers are particularly encouraged. To this end the Royal Commission offers an additional fellowship to further strengthen its support for engineering research. This is designated the Brunel Fellowship and was introduced in 2006 to mark the 200th anniversary of the great Victorian engineer's birth.

The Research Fellowship stipend payable in 2010 is £28,500 for the first year, and £30,000 for the second year and third years.  In addition a London (Overseas) Weighting of £2,500 per annum is payable in appropriate cases. Stipends are reviewed annually.

A candidate must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth, or of the Republics of Ireland or Pakistan. He or she should either have spent at least two out of the past three years at a UK Institution, or be intending to hold the Fellowship at a UK Institution, or both.

Applications are made online via this website (see below) and must include two references, plus certification from the institution at which the Fellowship is to be held.

Applications must be received by 5pm Thursday 25 February 2010.  Appointments to the Fellowship will be made during June 2010.  Fellowships commence at the beginning of October in the year of award.

Please download the Full Regulations.

You can now apply for a Fellowship online

Industrial Fellowships

The 1851 Commission belies its name by energetic support for the cutting edge of science and technology, and its profitable exploitation by British industry.

The Commission's distinguished history is rich in scientific heroes who were supported in their early days by 1851 Awards.  These include twelve Nobel Laureates, six holders of the Order of Merit and four Presidents of the Royal Society - names such as Lord Rutherford, Sir John Cockcroft and Lord Penney.

The Commission now sees its Industrial Fellowships as catalysts in the encouragement of innovation and creativity in British industry.  Although the Fellowships are awarded to individuals, their parent Companies and associated Universities derive equal advantage from the scheme.  Awards are made across the full breadth of British Industry.

Companies have found that, apart from the kudos of the award and a useful contribution to their cash flow, the Fellowship adds focus to their R & D Programme, provides career development for a favoured employee, and formalises valuable links with academic centres of excellence.  Equally, it could allow for an additional researcher to be employed.

University departments have relished the 1851 accolade, the mutually beneficial connection with industry, and the final cash award.  Companies are urged to encourage application by their most talented staff.  It must be in their, and the nation's best interests.  Applicants and their employers are assured that, once awarded, the 1851 Fellowships are refreshingly free of tiresome bureaucratic procedures, and lay no claim on intellectual property rights or commercial-in-confidence material.

Aim
To encourage profitable innovation and creativity in British industry.

Scheme
About eight Industrial Fellowships are offered each year for selected graduates, working in British Industry, who have a good first degree in engineering, science or medicine.  Of these one Fellowship is offered in the electrotechnology sector in cooperation with the ERA Foundation.

Eligibility

  • British or Commonwealth citizens, resident in UK.
  • Employed by a British based company.
  • Good first degree in engineering, science or medicine.
  • Identified research and/or development topic, leading to a patent, product or process in conjunction with a higher academic award.
  • Established link between company and appropriate staff at a British University.
  • Normally within five years of graduation. Earlier qualified candidates may apply but it is unlikely that those already with substantial post-graduate qualifications will be accepted.
  • International links and travel encouraged.

Award

  • 50% of the Fellow's salary, including the employer's share of national insurance and superannuation paid, up to a limit of £21,000 per annum reviewed annually.
  • University fees paid.
  • Travel costs up to £3,500 per annum paid.
  • Duration of up to three years, renewable annually on receipt of appropriate reports.
  • Honorarium to the University of £10,000 on completion is paid.

Applications
All applications must be submitted on the downloadable pro-forma on the Commission's website http://www.royalcommission1851.org.uk/ These must be accompanied by:

  • Full CV, including academic record
  • Description by the candidate of proposed programme of work including milestones and deliverables;
  • A programme showing balance of research and company activity plus costed travel details.
  • Letters of endorsement of project and candidate support from proposed technical (industrial) supervisor and academic supervisor.
  • Company profile and information (maximum 4 sides)

The closing date is 5pm Thursday 28th January 2010.    Fellowships commence at the beginning of September in the year of award.

 

Industrial Design Studentships

The 1851 Commission belies its name by energetic support for the cutting edge of science and technology, and its profitable exploitation by British industry.

The Commission's distinguished history is rich in scientific heroes who were supported in their early days by 1851 Awards.  These include twelve Nobel Laureates, six holders of the Order of Merit and four Presidents of the Royal Society - names such as Lord Rutherford, Sir John Cockcroft and Lord Penney.

The Commissioners, who wish to encourage innovation and profitable creativity in industry, see design as an integral part of the process.  One of the reasons that the Great Exhibition was so successful was that it overflowed with the fruits of dynamic, forward-looking Victorian design, embodying novelty and aesthetics in over 100,000 artefacts.

In the Commissioners' view, industrial design cannot be dissociated from a clear understanding of the underlying engineering science of the product and it is for this reason that first degrees in science or engineering are prescribed.

These are complementary, not alternative disciplines.  For products to succeed they must not only be fit for purpose, but they must also look good and represent value for money.

The Commission aims, by funding these Studentships, to encourage a holistic approach to excellence in product development, in which aesthetic design and engineering both play their full and proper parts.

Applicants and their colleges are assured that, once awarded, the 1851 Fellowships are refreshingly free of tiresome bureaucratic procedures, and lay no claim on intellectual property rights or commercial-in-confidence material.

Aim
To stimulate awareness of industrial design among the country's most able graduates.

Scheme
About seven Industrial Design Studentships are offered each year for selected graduates with a good first degree in engineering or science who wish to develop their capabilities in industrial design and who aspire to becoming leading designers in industry.

Eligibility

  • British nationals, resident in UK.
  • Intending to make a career in British Industry.
  • Good first degree in engineering or science and normally recently graduated
  • Must have obtained admission to a suitable postgraduate course in UK or overseas.

Award

  • All tuition fees paid, up to the normal UK course level for UK students.
  • Stipend of £10,000 per annum paid.
  • Allowance of £850 pa. for materials paid.
  • Some travel expenses - may be paid.

Duration: one year
A second year will be similarly supported if the course demands it and the first year has been satisfactorily completed.

Applications
All applications must be accompanied by the completed Application Form, and sent to The Secretary with:

  • A CV which gives details of past work experience,
  • A convincing statement and evidence of your interest and expectations in industrial design,
  • Evidence of acceptance for the course you intend to take.

The closing date is Thursday 22nd April 2010.

Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held in mid-June.