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Free Access for Early Career Academic Researchers

Background:

The NWTF is looking to build on its success with a variety of initiatives, details of which can be found here. We are particularly keen to improve researcher mobility by increasing the number of researchers outside the host institution using these facilities.  This is a national facility and open to all researchers. Thus, we have launched a Free Access initiative with the following objectives:

  1. Inclusivity: enhance inclusivity by making it as easy as possible for academics outside the NWTF to use the facilities.
  2. Remove bureaucracy: we understand the importance of undertaking proof of concept work prior to applying for large research grants, and are committed to enabling academics from outside the NWTF to have the ability to test ideas quickly and easily.
  3. Knowledge exchange: the best ideas arise from collaborations and sharing expertise.  Hence, we see this as a key feature of all the work undertaken by the NWTF.
  4. Connectivity: we want to dismantle barriers to ensure that researchers and facilities are more connected irrespective of their geographic locations.
  5. Promotion: we are keen to disseminate the research undertaken and see part of the NWTFs’ duties is to promote (and maximise) the availability and use of our wind tunnels.

Free Access Initiative:

To foster the above, each NWTF member has agreed to provide several days of free access for early career academic researchers.  The cost of this access is being borne by NWTF members.  Travel and subsistence can be covered by the NWTF Network Grant until March ’26. Experimental consumables will need to be covered by the researcher or their institution.

This initiative provides an opportunity for researchers to test out ideas quickly and easily with the minimum of bureaucracy and to de-risk grant applications for larger research programmes.

Terms and Conditions:

  1. Interested academic researchers are to contact the NWTF to discuss test requirements and test facilities. Contact details are here.
  2. Free access is available for university research and researchers only.
  3. Free access is not available for industrial research or researchers.
  4. Free access is available to early career researchers only. Early career researchers (ECRs) are generally PhD students and/or PDRAs.
  5. Researchers must be UK based.
  6. Researchers must be applying for tunnel use outside their own institution.
  7. Travel and subsistence costs can be covered by the NWTF Network grant until it expires in March 2026.
  8. Wind tunnels will be made available at the discretion of the NWTF management board.
  9. Application does not guarantee access.
  10. Wind tunnel application will be assessed by the NWTF management board and tunnel managers to determine if the NWTF is the best place for the test.
  11. NWTF may suggest attending a NWTF training workshop in advance of tunnel use if needed. This may involve health and safety training.