National Scientific Committee Meetings

Frequency. The National Scientific Committee meets twice a year in March and September at The Royal Society of Medicine, London.  Dates will be posted a year in advance in the Events Diary.

Agenda.  Any member of the INSPIRE Foundation may post an item for the Agenda which should be submitted in writing or by email to the Director,  whose details appear at this foot of this page.  He will consider all such requests and use his discretion as to whether such items should be included.

External Input. Those research scientists (from without the INSPIRE Foundation) who wish to submit draft application projects should in the first instance familiarise themselves with the Research Strategy and then contact the Director.

Core Business.  While routine business will be entertained during meetings, the NSC’s core business is to consider projects at various stages,  making recommendations where appropriate:

• Final Reports.  Assess Final Reports for completed projects and prepare feedback for Board of Trustees.
• Interim Reports (IRs).  Assess IRs submitted biannually by project teams, usually prepared by Principal Investigators (PIs):
  Note:
  • Feedback both positive and negative will be provided for PIs
  • Unsatisfactory reports can result in funding being suspended until remedial action is taken by project teams
  • This link provides the pre-scripted format for an Interim Report
• Applications for Funding.  Assess and vote on Applications for new projects.
  Note: If successful,  the NSC will recommend Applications to the Board of Trustees.   It is the Board of Trustees responsibility authorise funding,  the final stage before a PI is give the go ahead.
• Letters of Intent (LOI).  Consider LOIs submitted by scientists interested in approaching the charity for the funding of their projects.  If successful,  scientists are invited to submit formal Applications.

External Validation.  The NSC is a multi-disciplined Board covering most areas within the field of spinal cord injuries.  However, there may be occasions, when a requirement presents itself for detailed subject matter expertise not covered by the NSC.  In such cases,  the Chairman/Secretary will seek evidence, validation, opinions (as appropriate) from an external specialist in that particular area in the form of an ‘External Review’;  this will subsequently be presented formally to the NSC before voting and any recommendations are made.  If  necessary and appropriate, the external review may be requested in person to a formal board meeting of the NSC.

Quorum.  The normal method of considering business at hand will be for NSC members to prepare by reading paperwork issued by the Secretary no less than a fortnight in advance.  During the course of formal meetings, the Chair will invite all present to air their views in a frank and open discussion after which a vote will be taken.  A formal quorum of the Chair and a minimum of 6 members is required to vote on any NSC business.

Record of Meetings.   Minutes of the National Scientific Committee Meetings will be recorded by the Secretary and subsequently agreed by all those present.  Specific research items from the minutes may be available to non-members on request.

Point of Contact:

Rory Steevenson
Director (and Secretary to the National Scientific Committee)
The INSPIRE Foundation
Duke of Cornwall’s Spinal treatment Centre
Salisbury District Hospital
SP2 8BJ

Tel: 01722 425098 (direct dial)

E Mail:  ntrs@inspire-foundation.org.uk