UK - China astronomy interactions

In 2003 the British and Chinese governments agreed that co-operation on science and technology matters should be an important part of UK-China relations. The 'China Task Force' was subsequently set up in September 2003 to broaden and deepen the relationship between the UK and China. Following on from this, a major new initiative was launched in January 2005 called UK-China Partners in Science (link opens in a new window).

More (link opens in a new window) The purpose of this is to increase links and collaborations between the UK and China in the fields of science and technology. The UK-China Partners in Science is being delivered by the British Council (link opens in a new window)| and British Embassy (link opens in a new window)| and Consulates-General in China.

Astronomy-related opportunities and activities in conjunction with this initiative are available below:

Workshops:

• Workshop on Radar Observation of Polar Upper Atmosphere - 24-30 November 2002, Shanghai, China
• UK-China Astronomy Workshop - 19-23 September 2005, Beijing, China
• Space Technology Workshop - 13-17 March 2006, Beijing, China

Funding opportunities via STFC:

• Research programme grants (link opens in a new window) - collaboration opportunities, funding for travel, senior visiting researchers
• Postdoctoral and Advanced Fellowships (link opens in a new window) - collaboration opportunities
• Telescope time on STFC astronomy facilities - collaboration opportunities
• Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards (link opens in a new window) - a government scheme to fund overseas PhD students to study in the UK

Funding opportunities from other organisations:

• Royal Society (link opens in a new window) - Incoming Fellowships to the UK from Asia, funding for visits
• British Council (link opens in a new window) - International Networking for Young Scientists, Chevening Fellowships
• European Union (http://www.cordis.lu/) - Marie-Curie International Fellowships, networks
• Leverhulme Trust (link opens in a new window) - Visiting Fellowships and Professorships, funding for travel and networks
• Universities (link opens in a new window) - direct funding and collaboration opportunities

Contacts and other links:

• STFC contacts: Peter Fletcher or Colin Vincent
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office (link opens in a new window)