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developments in the Eureka initiative. Ac- cording to Georghiou, there is a clear role for Eureka in supporting the innovation needs of European industry, but only if the initiative is prepared to adapt, restructure, and attract new political commitment. Georghiou's group has suggested four possi- ble scenarios: "autumn"—business-as-usual; "summer"—reorientation from R&D to inno- vation support and policy coordination; "spring"—relaunch and revitalization; and a fourth, "unthinkable" scenario, "winter" termination of Eureka. Officials have sup- ported going ahead with the "spring" sce- nario, with a hint of "summer", but they have yet to action plan. The strategic review is currently mak- ing the rounds of European industry. First signs are that they support its conclusions. Ministers will decide what action to take at their conference in Istanbul at the end of June 1999. The pressure is on Germany, the incoming chair country, to ensure that Eureka faces a sunny future and does not perish in the depths of winter. David Bradley Uniting peers An overhaul of the peer review of chemis- try grant applications is in the cards at the U.K.'s scientific funding body, the Engi- neering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The aim is to experi- ment with a new system that will be more flexible and give interdisciplinary research a fairer hearing. According to Phil Burnell, manager of the EPSRC's chemistry program, "It has been said that the tail is wagging the dog, in the sense that prospective proposers often feel that they need to tailor their ap- plications to fit the system." He adds that EPSRC wants to change that perception by creating a new flexible grant application structure that does not "shoehorn applica- tions" into the traditional categories of or- ganic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. The new idea will ensure that new propos- als will be treated fairly. To this end, EPSRC, which was set up five years sgo, will lxperiment with a ain- gle-panel peer review system in September 1999. The system will run in parallel with the present three-panel setup. New propos- als will be sent to both panels, and their decisions will be analyzed to see which method selects the best research most ef- fectively. "We are still working on the de- tails," Burnell explains. But why change the present system at all? The reason for changing the system is that one can always tune things up to work better, Burnell explains. Some sections of the chemical community, such as those in- volved in instrumentation or those whose research overlaps divisions of chemistry, perceive they are not being best served by the present system. "Some good science may be choked off before it even gets writ- ten down on paper because the scientists feel it won't get a fair hearing," says Burnell. However, the main driving force behind the proposed changes is that the amount of cash allocated to a particular area is based on the number of proposals with no ac- counting for quality. "If one of the three current panels gets more applications, then it gets the lion's share of the funding, and I just don't think that'sright,"says Burnell. "Instead, money should follow the quality." The new system will mean that the funding structure will have less influence on the proposals that EPSRC attracts. "We are attempting to deal with proposals effec- tively, whatever their science content," he adds. Some members of the chemical commu- nity are worried that EPSRC is attempting a fait accompli to cut down on red tape. Nevertheless, following the single-panel experiment, EPSRC will consult the com- munity to debate the issue openly before making afinaldecision. 'We should be re- flecting what the eommunity wants to oo," says Burnell. The dog will then surely be wagging its tail. David Bradley PEOPLE Zare to receive Welch award Richard N. Zare, professor at Stanford I University, is the 1999 I recipient of the Welch I Award in Chemistry, I presented by the Welch Foundation. I Zare is being honored for his achievements I in physical and analyt- ical chemistry. His research interests focus on the development and application of la- sers and other instruments to a range of multidisciplinary problems, from molecules to microbes on Mars. Zare will receive a gold medallion and $300,000 during the foundation's annual banquet in Houston in October 1999. Analytical Chemistry News & Features, July 1, 1999 443 A Is it worth $15 to become a member of The Division of Analytical Chemistry? Ask the 9,500 analytical chemists who are members. 9,500 chemists cannot be wrong! Become a member of the Division of Analytical Chemistry For US$15 per year* benefits include: *US$12 ACS members, US$6 Students Two issues of the Division newsletter with over 400 abstracts describing latest research to be presented at the national ACS meetings. Information on professional issues, recognition of excellence and opportunities to recognize your peers. Members directory listing 9,500 professionals in the field (updated every 3 years). How to join Send check payable to DAC (include ACS member number or student id. for discount) Add US$2 for enrollment in the Subdivision o f Chromatography and Separations Chemistry. Include your name, address and mail to: Robert Thompson. Chemistry Dept. Oberlin College 130 W.Lorain St. Oberlin, OH 44074 Phone: 440-775-8305 [email protected] For more information visit our web site: nexus.chemistry.duq.edu/analytical/analytical.html

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developments in the Eureka initiative. Ac­cording to Georghiou, there is a clear role for Eureka in supporting the innovation needs of European industry, but only if the initiative is prepared to adapt, restructure, and attract new political commitment. Georghiou's group has suggested four possi­ble scenarios: "autumn"—business-as-usual; "summer"—reorientation from R&D to inno­vation support and policy coordination; "spring"—relaunch and revitalization; and a fourth, "unthinkable" scenario, "winter" termination of Eureka. Officials have sup­ported going ahead with the "spring" sce­nario, with a hint of "summer", but they have yet to action plan.

The strategic review is currently mak­ing the rounds of European industry. First signs are that they support its conclusions. Ministers will decide what action to take at their conference in Istanbul at the end of June 1999. The pressure is on Germany, the incoming chair country, to ensure that Eureka faces a sunny future and does not perish in the depths of winter.

David Bradley

Uniting peers An overhaul of the peer review of chemis­try grant applications is in the cards at the U.K.'s scientific funding body, the Engi­neering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The aim is to experi­ment with a new system that will be more flexible and give interdisciplinary research a fairer hearing.

According to Phil Burnell, manager of the EPSRC's chemistry program, "It has been said that the tail is wagging the dog, in the sense that prospective proposers often feel that they need to tailor their ap­plications to fit the system." He adds that EPSRC wants to change that perception by creating a new flexible grant application structure that does not "shoehorn applica­tions" into the traditional categories of or­ganic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. The new idea will ensure that new propos­als will be treated fairly.

To this end, EPSRC, which was set up five years sgo, will lxperiment with a ain­gle-panel peer review system in September 1999. The system will run in parallel with the present three-panel setup. New propos­als will be sent to both panels, and their decisions will be analyzed to see which method selects the best research most ef­fectively. "We are still working on the de­tails," Burnell explains.

But why change the present system at

all? The reason for changing the system is that one can always tune things up to work better, Burnell explains. Some sections of the chemical community, such as those in­volved in instrumentation or those whose research overlaps divisions of chemistry, perceive they are not being best served by the present system. "Some good science may be choked off before it even gets writ­ten down on paper because the scientists feel it won't get a fair hearing," says Burnell.

However, the main driving force behind the proposed changes is that the amount of cash allocated to a particular area is based on the number of proposals with no ac­counting for quality. "If one of the three current panels gets more applications, then it gets the lion's share of the funding, and I just don't think that's right," says Burnell. "Instead, money should follow the quality." The new system will mean that the funding structure will have less influence on the proposals that EPSRC attracts. "We are attempting to deal with proposals effec­tively, whatever their science content," he adds.

Some members of the chemical commu­nity are worried that EPSRC is attempting a fait accompli to cut down on red tape. Nevertheless, following the single-panel experiment, EPSRC will consult the com­munity to debate the issue openly before making a final decision. 'We should be re­flecting what the eommunity wants to oo," says Burnell. The dog will then surely be wagging its tail.

David Bradley

PEOPLE

Zare to receive Welch award Richard N. Zare, professor at Stanford

I University, is the 1999 I recipient of the Welch I Award in Chemistry, I presented by the

Welch Foundation. I Zare is being honored

for his achievements I in physical and analyt­

ical chemistry. His research interests focus on the development and application of la­sers and other instruments to a range of multidisciplinary problems, from molecules to microbes on Mars. Zare will receive a gold medallion and $300,000 during the foundation's annual banquet in Houston in October 1999.

Analytical Chemistry News & Features, July 1, 1999 443 A

Is it worth $15 to become a member of

The Division of Analytical Chemistry?

Ask the 9,500 analytical chemists who are members.

9,500 chemists cannot be wrong!

Become a member of the

Division of Analytical Chemistry

For US$15 per year* benefits include:

*US$12 ACS members, US$6 Students

• Two issues of the Division newsletter with over 400 abstracts describing latest research to be presented at the national ACS meetings.

• Information on professional issues, recognition of excellence and opportunities to recognize your peers.

• Members directory listing 9,500 professionals in the field (updated every 3 years).

How to join

Send check payable to DAC (include ACS member number or student id. for discount) Add US$2 for enrollment in the Subdivision of Chromatography and Separations Chemistry.

Include your name, address and mail to: Robert Thompson. Chemistry Dept. Oberlin College 130 W.Lorain St. Oberlin, OH 44074 Phone: 440-775-8305 [email protected]

For more information visit our web site:

nexus.chemistry.duq.edu/analytical/analytical.html