APPLICATION FORM FOR ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY GC FOUNDATION BURSARY AWARD SCHEME 2017
IntroductionThe Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation (hereafter referred to as the Foundation) was created by virtue of Section 70 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 for the purpose of “marking the sacrifices and honouring the achievements of the Royal Ulster Constabulary”.
The Foundation’s mandate under section 70.2 (b): includes the “power to support the professional development of police officers and innovations in policing”. The support in question is delivered by means of its Bursary Scheme.
Under this scheme, the Foundationis now offering a number of bursaries for 2017. The Foundation’s Trustees and the Chief Constable wish to encourage eligible PSNI officers and support staff to consider applying to the scheme if they have identified a project or innovation which would benefit from the award of a bursary to allow further research.
PurposeThe purpose of the scheme is to contribute to the further development of policing in Northern Ireland by sponsoring a time-specific research study. The award of a bursary will enable recipients to develop their personal experience and competence but also, through their research, contribute to improvements in the police service as a whole. In summary, the aim is “to build on the past and invest in the future” by facilitating police officers and staff to research a subject and make recommendations which are relevant to today’s policing problems.
ProcessApplications are sought from PSNI officers and staff who seek a bursary to fund a potential project which relates to specific themes identified by an Award Panel. (See bullet points below). The closing date for applications is 31st July 2017. Normally an award will be offered to one single applicant, but where benefit is shown; a joint award may be considered where more than one person is collaborating on an issue. A sponsoring PSNI department should be identified – i.e. one that supports the research being suggested. Following a paper sift exercise, short listed applicants will be invited to present their project at an interview arranged by the Award Panel (which will consist of Foundation Trustees, a PSNI representative and an academic/subject expert).
Each applicant, in terms of choice of topic for prospective research, should be guided bythis year’s themes (identified in consultation with the Chief Constable and senior PSNI officers):
- Violent Extremism (Dissident Republicans, Loyalists and Other Organisations)
- Serious and Organised Crime (Organised Crime Gangs and Cyber Crime)
- Vulnerability including Children at Risk, Older Persons at Risk, Cyber Offending, Targeting of Vulnerable Persons, Domestic Abuse and Hate Crime
- Employee wellbeing and engagement especially in relation tomental health.
- Other topics identified in the Chief Constable’s Strategic Priorities. (Please note that the PSNI’s representative, Chief Superintendent Chris Noble, is willing to advise prospective applicants about the scheme and research topics in particular).
Applicants are encouraged to consider a research area that lends itself to joint/collaborative study with a community member or group. A research proposal may involve a partner agency, group or individual who may wish to participate in the study (funded independently). For example in 2014 the NI Human Rights Commission permitted a member of staff to work alongside a bursary recipient on a project of joint interest.
To apply, each applicant will be required to complete a simple“Research Proposal” with evidence of how their proposal relates to the above mentioned themes and suggested topics. Whilst a detailed costing for the proposal will not be required at this stage applicants should be mindful that any successful applicant will be awarded a maximum sum of £3000 and research time of approximately 3 weeks. The PSNI have indicated that candidates should consider “matching time contributions” by using annual leave or their own time.
Decision-Making The award panel will carry out both a sifting phase (numbers dependant) and then an awards phase (structured interview) where requested applicants will be asked to present more information on their proposal to the panel. The panel decision will identify a preferred merit list of applicants which will be presented to the PSNI to have final sign off due to the requirement for internal access to data, individuals etc.
Note: The successful applicants may be required to vest copyright of the work in the Chief Constable.
OutcomeThe successful applicants will be informed of their award by 30th October 2017 and will be required to complete their study within 12 months of the bursary being awarded. During the research period, if required, they will have access to academic support and accreditation from Ulster University to assist their study. This will cost approximately £900 (to be included in the recipient’s bursary budget).
On completion of the work the recipient will deliver a written report and presentation to the Foundation and the PSNI sponsoring department. This will include the results of research including recommendations, a financial breakdown of expenditure incurred and an assessment of how the bursary contributed to the recipients professional and personal development. Also, at key milestones as appropriate, the sponsoring Department will receive updates so as to enable the organisation to consider and/or adopt key learning as the research develops.
Closing date for applications is midnight on Friday 31st July.Further information can be obtained from the RUC George Cross Foundation office at Brooklyn (telephone no. 028 90 700116) and at email address:
APPLICATION FORM 2017
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR RUCGC FOUNDATION BURSARY SCHEME AWARD
Applicant(s)’s details:explaining service and experience to date, current role and responsibilities, and, contact details.
------
Proposed Project details: demonstrating how it will contribute to the further development of policing in Northern Ireland i.e. evidence to show how the proposed research will develop the personal experience and competence of applicant(s) and, also, contribute to improvements in the police service as a whole.
------
Sponsoring Department/Officer: demonstrating which PSNI department, or supervising officer, supports the application and will assist during and after the research.
------
Each applicant,in terms of choice of topic for their prospective research project, should be guided by this year’s themes and take account of the following factors:
- A focus on providing benefit for the future of policing in Northern Ireland and significant professional benefit for the applicant.
- A demonstrated, clear connection and contribution to the development of PSNI strategies and plans (e.g. the current Policing Plan as agreed with the NIPB and other priorities identified by the Chief Constable).
- Themes this year:
- Violent Extremism (Dissident Republicans, Loyalists and Other Organisations)
- Serious and Organised Crime (Organised Crime Gangs and Cyber Crime)
- Vulnerability including Children at Risk, Older Persons at Risk, Cyber Offending, Targeting of Vulnerable Persons, Domestic Abuse and Hate Crime
- Other topics identified in the Chief Constable’s Strategic Priorities.
- Identification of clear opportunities and benefits for further work to build on the findings of the successful applicant’s report.
Please return completed form before 31ST July 2017 to:
RUCGC Foundation Office at PSNI HQ, Brooklyn, 65 Knock Road, Belfast, BT5 6LE (telephone no. 028 90 700116) or, via email, to .