CREW projects originate from our water policy, regulatory and industry partners as need arises. The organisations that can request work through CREW are: Scottish Government, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Drinking Water Quality Regulator, Scottish Water, NatureScot, Scottish Canals, Food Standards Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland, Consumer Scotland.
Frequently Asked Questions
CREW leads engagement at the science-policy interface to deliver accessible research and expert opinion to inform the development and implementation of water policy in Scotland. CREW’s impact is far reaching. Please see our Programme report 2016-2022 for examples.
The demand-driven nature of CREW projects ensures that all projects have relevance to water policy, regulation and/or industry, with the potential for impactful outcomes. CREW projects also help create and strengthen connections between researchers at different institutions and between researchers and policy, regulatory and industry stakeholders, enhancing your network in the Scottish water community.
There are three types of funding available:
- Call-down projects respond to a specific policy need (e.g. for a workshop or policy brief) over timescales of less than 6 months;
- Capacity building projects are more strategic in nature, but still relate to a direct policy request, and have longer turnaround times (6-18 months);
- Policy fellowships are small projects informed by the research community.
Funding is at full economic cost and includes direct staff time costs, travel and subsistence, consumables, and events. Please note CREW cannot fund capital equipment. Please see the application form for costing template.
CREW encourage early-career through to experienced researchers to apply and promote the mentorship of early career researchers by experienced researchers.
CREW funding is open to applications from all relevant Scottish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and Research Institutes (RIs) (approved contractors).
All Scottish Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs) and Research Institutes (approved contractors) (RIs) are eligible to apply for CREW funding. One eligible organisation must lead the bid, however an eligible organisation can sub-contract work in accordance with the Grant Terms which would include putting in place an appropriate agreement with the relevant sub-contractor(s) (updated December 2022). Any UK based HEI, RI or SME can be sub-contracted.
Where successful, CREW funding would be subject to agreement to the CREW Grant Offer Letter and T&Cs (“Grant Terms”).
For more details, please contact Procurement@CREW.ac.uk
All enquiries on project specifications and procurement process should be directed to Procurement@CREW.ac.uk. All non-confidential queries and answers will be published on the CREW website.
Applications are evaluated by a review panel team, including the CREW Project Manager and representatives from the requesting stakeholder organisations who will form part of the Project Steering Group.
Projects are evaluated using the following criteria:
Expectations
| No. | Criteria | Descriptor |
| 1 | Duration | The proposed duration will align closely to the details provided in the anticipated timescales section of the specification. |
| 2 | Staff time and effort | The proposed allocation of staff time and effort is appropriate and includes all deliverables. The proposal must also provide a commitment that named staff members will be available to work on the contract if the bid is successful. |
| 3 | Project costs | The estimated breakdown of project costs is realistic and inclusive of all deliverables. |
Award criteria
| No. | Criteria | Descriptor |
| 1 | Understanding the project ask and policy background | The proposal should include an introduction which demonstrates a clear understanding of the project requirements. This should include an understanding of the policy background and the supporting role of this project; the need for this research; the project aim; and how the proposal will address this aim. |
| 2 | Proposed methodology | The proposal should demonstrate a high quality and workable methodology, including:
to address the key questions and produce the deliverables in the timescales required. It should explain the suitability, robustness and limitations of the proposed methodology. |
| 3 | Milestones | The project milestones are logical, practical and include all deliverables. |
| 4 | Project Management | The staff, resources and expertise are appropriate for conducting the proposed project. The proposal should name the project lead and outline their project management experience. |
| 5 | General and specific topic expertise and experience | The proposal should provide details of individual staff members who will work on this project and demonstrate how they will meet the project requirements, specifically: - general research experience and expertise; - specific experience and expertise on the (INSERT TOPIC). |
| 6 | General communication and deliverables | The proposal should describe the approach to producing the deliverables, which will be published on the CREW website. It should detail who will take lead responsibility for report-writing and overall report quality. It should provide examples of previously (INSERT DELIVERABLES) in which they have been involved. |
| 7 | Quality assurance | The proposal should provide details of quality assurance procedures to demonstrate how the contract will be continuously delivered to a high standard. It should specifically address issues of quality control at different stages of the project, including evidence gathering, analysis and report writing. It should include a timetable for delivery of tasks, project milestones and allocation of staff and staff time against each task, covering the duration of the contract. |
| 8 | Risk | The proposal should provide a risk assessment matrix detailing any risks identified in relation to the delivery of this contract, and proposed mitigation measures to minimise their probability and impact, focused particularly on risk to completion on time. |
Please see the individual project specification form for the anticipated timeframe for hearing back on the outcome of your application.
All direct CREW project outputs are first published on the CREW website. Generally, further non-CREW publications are encouraged, subject to the conditions of the contract. The full details of any IP rights are provided within contracts when awards are made. CREW and ultimately the relevant stakeholders would have to have sight of the draft publication prior to its submission and be at liberty to comment upon it.