HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Andrew Smith announces a scheme to fund summer placements in Whitehall [February 2001]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 1 February 2001.

ANDREW SMITH ANNOUNCES A SCHEME TO FUND SUMMER PLACEMENTS IN WHITEHALL

A scheme to fund ten academic summer placements in Whitehall, starting in June 2001, was announced by the Chief Secretary, Andrew Smith today. The aim of the scheme is to strengthen the links between the academic research community and Government policy development.

Andrew Smith said:

“This Government has worked with the research community from the outset, but we are very keen to build on this with new channels of communication between us. The contacts provided by these placements should help strengthen these links further and underpin effective Departmental policy formation.

I am very pleased that 5 central Government Departments have agreed to take part in this scheme, which closely follows a tried and tested system in the United States.”

Applicants are being invited to submit research projects that are relevant to policy formulation, with proposals either identifying emerging policy issues or aiming to increase understanding of existing ones. As well as the Treasury, DSS, DETR, DFEE and MAFF have agreed to take part.

Each placement will carry a grant of £10,000. Successful applicants will be expected to carry out at least two months of research, of which at least four weeks must be spent within the relevant Department.