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Useful Links

DIUS is not responsible for the content of external links.

BBSRC: the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the leading funding agency for academic research and training in the biosciences at universities and institutes throughout the UK. Receives most of its money through the Government's Office of Science and Technology.

BioIndustry Association : the trade association for innovative, emerging small to medium sized enterprises in the UK's bioscience sector. Active in representing the UK biotechnology sector and its needs to audiences, from patient groups to regional, national and pan-European governments.

BSI: global provider of management systems assessment and certification.

Business Links (and equivalent offices outside England) give you advice on business opportunities, technology and innovation and starting and running your business.

CORDIS: the European Community's Research and Development Information Service which gives information on content and scope as well as funding opportunities within the European Community's Framework Programme on research, technology development and demonstration.

EPSRC: the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK Government's leading funding agency for research and training in engineering and the physical sciences.

EUREKA: the European initiative that encourages international collaborations between companies and other organisations.

Foresight: brings together in a unique partnership the voices of business, the research base and government to develop and act on shared visions of the future.

Gambica: the national organization representing the interests of companies in the instrumentation, control and automation industry in the UK.

GTMA: the UK Trade Association representing toolmaking, metrology, precision machining, and tooling techniques.

Knowledge Transfer Networks: improve the UK’s innovation performance by increasing the breadth and depth of the knowledge transfer of technology into UK-based businesses and by accelerating the rate at which this process occurs.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships: supports partnerships between companies of all sizes and the knowledge base. These enable companies to make strategic competitive advances whilst developing future leaders. They help the knowledge base organisations exploit their advanced knowledge and increases the industrial relevance of their teaching and research.

LGC: the former Laboratory of the Government Chemist. It is an integral part of the UK's National Measurement System infrastructure. LGC is the national measurement institute for chemical and biochemical analysis.

MRC: The UK Medical Research Council is a national organisation funded by the UK taxpayer. They promote research into all areas of medical and related science with the aims of improving the health and quality of life of the UK public and contributing to the wealth of the nation.

NEL: the former National Engineering Laboratory. It is an integral part of the UK's National Measurement System infrastructure. NEL is a national measurement institute and prime contractor for the NMS Flow Metrology Programme.

NPL, National Physical Laboratory: is an integral part of the UK's National Measurement System infrastructure. NPL is the national measurement institute for physical measurements.

NWML, National Weights and Measures Laboratory: is an integral part of the UK's National Measurement System infrastructure. It is an Executive Agency of DIUS and provides the focus for legal metrology in the UK.

OSI, Office of Science and Innovation: one of DIUS's objectives is to make the most of the UK's science, engineering and technology, in particular by achieving standards of international excellence in basic science and maximising the contribution of S&T outputs to the UK's economic development and the quality of our lives. The Department is responsible both for UK Science Policy and for promoting Innovation and adoption of technology by industry.

SBS, Small Business Service: the expert policy unit on small business issues throughout Government.

STRD: the Standards and Technical Regulations Directorate aims to secure a standards, testing and certification infrastructure which meets the needs of UK industry. Information is provided through a series of Product Standards booklets.

UKAS, United Kingdom Accreditation Service: is an integral part of the UK's National Measurement System infrastructure. It is the sole national body recognised by government for the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories, certification and inspection bodies.

The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers: A Livery Company of the City of London, the WCSIM promotes the craft of scientific instrument making and the exchange of ideas and information by members and guests through meetings, visits and lectures. The members, Liverymen, are all linked with scientific instruments in some way. The Company advances the craft through traditional apprenticeships supervised by Liverymen, and through its Educational Trust Fund, supports technology in schools, provides undergraduate scholarships and research fellowships.