HortLINK
HDC has had a strong track record of involvement with HortLINK projects. Individuals interested in forming a consortium or with project ideas are encouraged to approach David Cole, HortLINK Programme coordinator for more information.
HortLINK Website
Guidelines for HortLINK projects and reports
1. Information Release
If you wish to write or talk about LINK Projects, permission must be sought in writing from each Consortium member, well in advance of the deadline for submission/presentation. This is a legal requirement.
2. LINK Reports
Annual and final reports are a necessary requirement of the Collaboration Agreement for LINK projects where the Horticultural Development Company is a member of the Consortium.
To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, Defra has agreed to accept HDC-style Annual and Final Reports, with a few modifications.
Six-monthly reports are still required which are primarily a management statement reporting on progress against individual milestones. Results of experimental work should also be included.
3. Reporting Deadlines
Deadlines for receipt of annual and final reports are included in the Collaboration Agreement for the LINK project and in the standard HDC R&D contract. Annual and six-monthly reports must be made available two weeks prior to project management meetings. Final reports should be received no later than four weeks after completion of the project.
4. Report Format
Using the HDC Report Guidelines as a basis, add in the following items to meet Defra requirements:
4.1 Title Page
Follow the HDC format for the Title Page but also include the LINK programme name (e.g. HortLINK) and project number, list all the consortium members and name the government sponsor(s) (usually Defra or SEERAD).
The copyright statement for LINK project reports should read 'The contents of this publication are strictly private to [Consortium partner in which IP is invested]. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of [Consortium Partner in which IP is invested]'.
The copyright date should reflect the year the report was written and adopt the following format '© 2005[Consortium partner in which IP is invested]'
Include the following information on a separate page to follow the title page of both annual and final reports.
'Intellectual Property Rights are invested in [ - ] on behalf of the Consortium members for LINK project number [ - ].
The following are members of the Consortium for LINK project [ - ]'. List all Consortium members including the academic and industrial partners.
4.2 Milestones
Insert a page after the 'Grower Summary' listing the 'Milestones' for the project and state whether they have been met. Indicate if the remaining primary milestones look realistic. Give reasons for any proposed changes including financial, staff and time implications. Also list the number of staff days by grade of direct scientific effort and the actual cost expended. Include details on any Intellectual Property which has arisen from the project.
4.3 Multiple Contractors
If there are several contractors it is the responsibility of the LINK Project Co-ordinator, managing the project, to ensure the reports are compiled into one cohesive document. Individual parts of the project completed by different contractors should not appear distinct, rather they should be integrated into the whole report. The style must be consistent throughout, and follow the HDC format (see 'Report Guidelines').
A conclusion, pulling all the pieces of work together, is required.
In the usual style of HDC reports there should be a ' Grower Summary' at the beginning which covers the work carried out by all contractors and provides an overview of the whole project. A separate sheet detailing the milestones, as required by Defra (see above), should follow.
4.4 Technology Transfer
A section should be included after the overall 'Conclusion' detailing any papers, presentations, events attended, and posters produced relating to this project. Any proposed technology transfer should also be noted.
5. LINK Completion Form
A LINK Completion Form is required at the end of the project and should be submitted to the LINK Co-ordinator at Defra.
6. Copies
The numbers of copies of LINK Reports required by HDC will remain the same as for HDC Projects ie two bound paper copies, one unbound copy and a copy on disk, in Microsoft Word or by email to techadmin@hdc.org.uk. |
