The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have signed a Concordat to formally recognise and collaborate on areas of joint technology research at a ceremony held at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh on 15 May 2001.
The Concordat which was signed by Professor Ian Halliday, Chief Executive of PPARC and Sir Keith O'Nions, Chief Scientific Advisor, MoD, follows the completion of a study which looked at the synergy between the two organisations. Areas of common interest include space technology, space environment, radio propagation, radar technology, x-ray and neutron detectors, image and pattern processing, data and information processing and sensor array signal processing.
Collaborative research between academia and the defence research sector is actively encouraged by PPARC and MoD through their joint sponsorship of research projects via the Joint Grants Scheme, and the two organisations will explore the use of other incentives to achieve closer collaboration in areas of mutual interest.