12th to 20th March 2009 Calling all AIM-ers!

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that the time has come again to start thinking of the Economic and Social Research Council's Festival of Social Science.

The 2010 week runs from the 12th - 20th March and it is important that AIM continues to have a high profile during the week. We have run a number of hugely successful events in the 2009 Festival and we hope to at least match if not better the impressive number of 9 events we offered last year for practitioners/policy makers and academics throughout the country.

Our previous events have allowed participants to assess proposed research-based 'solutions' to four key management challenges facing the creative industries or explore the issues surrounding business model innovation across sectors in developed and emerging markets. If you would like to view information on any of the 2009 Festival events, please visit our previous events section.

Please consider whether you would like to run an event with support from the AIM office during the week. In particular we are looking for seminars/ workshops/ evening lectures etc that will appeal to practitioners and are held in regional locations.

There are two types of application forms available:

1) For those who wish to apply for funding, electronic application forms can be accessed here. A maximum of £2,000 can be applied for.

2) For those who wish to hold an event but not apply for funding, a non-funding form can be accessed here.

Applications from you to hold both sponsored and non-sponsored events during the 2010 Festival week must be submitted to the AIM office by 30th September 2009. Once you have filled in the application form the AIM Office will be in contact when your submission has been reviewed.

Applications will be judged against the following criteria and should demonstrate:

• Consistency with the Festival's strategic objectives and aims (please see Event Organisers' Guide/Application Event Guidelines)
• Awareness of public concerns and a topical relevancy
• Targeting of particular audiences, for AIM Research particularly the business representatives/ the public
• An effort to reach groups outside of the Greater London geographical area
• Innovative and interactive events
• Realistic costing estimates
• Within the Festival week

For further information, Event Organisers' Guide/ Application Event Guidelines, Top Tips to holding an event for the ESRC Festival of Social Science, Logos, etc, please go to the following website.

In the meantime, if you require any further assistance with your proposal, please do not hesitate to contact AIM's Event Officer Agi on Agnieszka.witaszczyk@wbs.ac.uk or call 0207 862 8519.