The British Council has announced a new programme for researchers in Britain, Israel and the Middle East to work together to tackle water challenges in the region.
With initial funding from the UK’s Department for Business and Innovation and Skills (BIS), the pilot scheme will support research into new and existing technologies to improve individual and communities’ access to water.
Alan Gemmell, the British Council Israel Director said:
‘The UN estimates that almost 1 billion people do not have access to clean water. From the world’s biggest economy to its most populous countries, more action is needed to improve access to water.
Our new fund will bring researchers from different countries and disciplines together – across natural and social sciences as well the UK and the Middle East - to tackle one of our most urgent problems and identify new approaches for some of the world’s most water poor societies. ’
Background
The UK’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has awarded £200,000 to the British Council to develop this pilot research programme. The project invites joint, trilateral bids from researchers in the UK, Israel and the Middle East to undertake a 10 – 12 month collaborative water research project.
The British Council will administer the research through its Institutional Links programme. The programme builds international research collaborations with the UK and funds research that supports social welfare and economic development.
Projects will provide opportunities for world-class researchers in water science, technology and policy from the UK and the Middle East to work together.
The Water Research Programme was developed with the UK Science and Innovation Network and the UK Israel Science Council. http://www.britishcouncil.org.il/en/Science-Council
ENDS
Notes to editors
Alan has published a blog on the call for proposals here
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/alan-gemmell/the-global-water-challeng_b_7768180.html
For More Information please contact Tim Sowula tim.sowula@britishcouncil.org or 0207 389 4871
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide.
We work in more than 100 countries and our 8,000 staff – including 2,000 teachers – work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year by teaching English, sharing the arts and delivering education and society programmes.
We are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter. A core publicly-funded grant provides less than 20 per cent of our turnover which last year was £864 million. The rest of our revenues are earned from services which customers around the world pay for, through education and development contracts and from partnerships with public and private organisations. All our work is in pursuit of our charitable purpose and supports prosperity and security for the UK and globally.
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