About Us

CREW is Scotland's Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) and is a Scottish Government-funded partnership between the James Hutton Institute, Scottish Higher Education Institutes and Research Institutes.

Set within an overarching consideration of water and society, CREW's themes are responsive and linked to contemporary and emerging issues to deliver knowledge to support water policy, regulation and industry. Our current themes are:

FAQ's

Who can request CREW work?

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.
What types of impact do CREW projects have?

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.
What are the benefits of working on a CREW project as a researcher?

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.
What funding is available?

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.
Who is eligible to submit a tender? (plus sub-contracting arrangements)

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 (HEI) and Research Institutes (approved contractors).
Where successful, CREW funding would be subject to agreement to the CREW Grant Offer Letter and T&Cs (“Grant Terms”). To the extent the successful applicant wished to use sub-contractors this must be done in accordance with the Grant Terms which would include putting in place an appropriate agreement with the relevant sub-contractor (updated December 2022).
For more details, please contact CREW’s Research Support Officer, Regan Tammi Regan.Tammi@hutton.ac.uk.
I have a question about the specification or procurement process, who do I contact?

All enquiries on project specifications and procurement process should be directed to CREW’s Research Support Officer, Regan Tammi Regan.Tammi@hutton.ac.uk. All non-confidential queries and answers will be published on the CREW website.

How are applications evaluated?

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: how the evidence will be identified, reviewed and assessed consulting relevant stakeholders and/or experts where appropriate 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.

When will I hear the outcome of my application?

Please see the individual project specification form for the anticipated timeframe for hearing back on the outcome of your application.
Would the research team be able to freely publish any results in journals?

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.

About Us

Who can request CREW work?

What types of impact do CREW projects have?

What are the benefits of working on a CREW project as a researcher?

What funding is available?

Who is eligible to submit a tender? (plus sub-contracting arrangements)

I have a question about the specification or procurement process, who do I contact?

How are applications evaluated?

When will I hear the outcome of my application?

Would the research team be able to freely publish any results in journals?