n order for a new, major project to be considered for funding by STFC, a Statement of Interest (SoI) describing the proposed project and detailing the full economic cost of the proposed programme, must be submitted for evaluation. Guidelines and the Statement of Interest proforma can be found below.

The consideration of a Statement of Interest (SoI) is the first step in the STFC review of any major, new proposal. An SoI may be submitted to signify the intention to submit a full proposal.

SoIs may include:

• Participation in new experiments or missions
• The further development of existing high priority experiments or missions
• The development of new instruments
• New detectors or accelerator technologies
• Upgrades to existing detectors
• The purchase of new, or upgrades to, existing major high performance computing facilities
• New initiatives in the field of e-science, modelling and data management

SoIs are considered by the Science Board and can be submitted at any time. Where appropriate, the Accelerator Strategy Board will also consider the SoI.

If Science Board recommends that a full proposal should be invited following the consideration of the SoI, this will be reviewed by the STFC's Projects Peer Review Panel (PPRP).