EPSRC Response to CDS Closure Queries
A number of CDS users have informed us that they have been in
contact with the EPSRC over recent developments. The following message
has been received from the EPSRC in response to query emails about the
decision to close down the Chemical Database Service (we have added
the link to details of the Strategy Advisory Team for the Chemistry
Programme).
In response to your e-mail, I thought it would be useful to clarify
some issues regarding the Chemistry National Services and the Chemical
Database Service specifically.
The Chemistry National
Services are funded by EPSRC's Chemistry Programme as a free at the
point of use service. The Chemistry Programme has a finite budget,
which has to cover the full range of both responsive and targeted
activities; the funding for these services comes directly from the
responsive mode budget. In addition, as a Chemistry Programme
mechanism, the services should primarily support research within the
Programme's remit.
The Chemistry Programme does not have
the budget to support all chemistry research in the UK nor is it in
our Programme objectives to do so. Our objectives include maintaining
the health of the chemistry discipline through the support of high
quality research. As such, our funding has to be prioritised and peer
review is our primary mechanism to do this. Each of the services has
to demonstrate that they are supporting high quality research
comparable to that funded through responsive mode. The Chemistry
National Services are tasked with submitting annual reports to EPSRC
as the mechanism to detail their operation and the research they are
supporting.
Chemistry National Services are subject to
peer review, as are any other elements of the portfolio. Since May
2004, all of the services have been reviewed annually based on the
information contained in their annual reports. The views and concerns
of the latest panel regarding the Chemical Database Service are in
keeping with these previous reports. The review panel concluded that
the CDS no longer met key criteria of a Chemistry National Service,
including demonstration of high demand and high quality research
supported across the whole suite of databases. The format of the
service review process has also received external validation through
consultation with our
Strategic
Advisory Team. We therefore consider that the review was
appropriate in format to inform the Chemistry Programme on its
strategy and how to utilise its responsive mode budget.
The Chemical Database Service is not the only mechanism through which
the data requirements of the UK chemistry research community are
supported. Other key databases such as SciFinder are procured by
institutions either individually or collectively. Under Full Economic
Costing, Research Councils will fund the element of database provision
which relates to individual research grants. From 31 March 2007, a
number of the databases currently supported by CDS will have to be
accessed via a charging arrangement either directly from the vendor or
though an intermediary such as CDS or an equivalent; the relevant
component of such costs can be included on any Research Council
proposal.
I hope this clarifies your query.