BBSRC Innovator of the Year 2019 Award: applications open now

Do you know a brilliant BBSRC-funded researcher that deserves recognition? Innovator of the Year is once again ready to recognise and reward impact from BBSRCā€™s research portfolio, from commercial success to influence on public policy, from breakthrough inventions to innovative solutions to global problems.

BBSRC relies on recommendations to highlight excellent researchers and encourage them to apply ā€“ either directly or by recommending them through our website. We encourage everyone to apply, from early-career researchers who are demonstrating promising impact to experienced academics with a lifetimeā€™s work to celebrate.

Winners of each of the four categories ā€“ Commercial Impact, Social Impact, International Impact and Early Career Impact ā€“ will receive a Ā£10,000 award, with a further Ā£10,000 for the BBSRC Innovator of the Year winner. Awards will be presented at a high-profile event in London in May 2019.

Further information and links to the application and recommendation forms can be found on our website: http://bbsrc.ukri.org/innovator

The application deadline is 30th January 2019

Don’t miss – Agriculture and Food Industries Event – 14 Nov, Harper Adams University

The Science Technology and Facilities Council (STFC) is a multidisciplinary research organisation that operates large-scale national laboratories with key experimental and computational capabilities. They are currently running a funding programme that gives companies access to their facilities and expertise called ‘Bridging For Innovators’ or B4I. As part of the programme, they are arranging a series of events, one each month, across different sectors to generate interest. The next event is on November the 14th at Harper Adams University for companies within the agriculture and food industries, where there will be a number of distinguished keynote speakers and representatives from large companies from within the fields.

More information on the event and the funding is here:

https://stfc.ukri.org/funding/research-grants/funding-opportunities/closing-calls/bridging-for-innovators-funding-programme/

 

https://stfc.ukri.org/funding/research-grants/funding-opportunities/closing-calls/bridging-for-innovators-funding-programme/stfc-b4i-roadshow-for-agri-food-drink-sector/

BBSRC Funding – Apply now

We would like to draw your attention to the following BBSRC funding opportunities:

  1. BBSRC Follow-on Funding call ā€“ Deadline 10 Oct 18 ā€“ funding to help bridge the gap between BBSRC-funded research and its translation into practical application, including commercialisation. See https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/follow-on/
  2. 18ALERT: Mid-Range Equipment Initiative ā€“ Deadline 25 Oct 18 ā€“ aims to enhance the capability of the UK research base in areas of the BBSRCā€™s remit through the purchase of mid-range equipment (over Ā£200K incl. VAT). Equipment should benefit researchers in one or more institutions for deployment on a multi-project, multi-use basis. See https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/2018-alert-mid-range-equipment-initiative/
  3. International Flexible Interchange Programme (I-FLIP) ā€“ Deadline 16 Oct 18 ā€“ for international exchanges of up to 12 monthsā€™ duration between UK and organisations that operate within countries on the DAC list. See https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/2018-international-flexible-interchange-programme/
  4. Enterprise Fellowships ā€“ Deadline 31 Oct 18 ā€“ designed to encourage the development of a new business, building on previously funded BBSRC research to enable the recipient to concentrate on developing the commercial potential of the research. See https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/enterprise-fellowships/

Funding Roundup – Sep 18

CORBEL 2nd Open Call for Research Projects

More than 20 facilities from 10 different research infrastructures across Biological and Medical Sciences have joined forces and combine their technologies and scientific expertise to support advanced research projects. Successful applicants will be offered open access to cutting-edge technologies and services available at various research infrastructures. CORBEL funds will not be given to successful applicants directly. Instead, costs for travel to partner sites will be reimbursed (up to ā‚¬5,000) and access to service providers will be granted without access fee (extra costs for consumables may apply).

See: www.corbel-project.eu/open-call.html

 

Innovate UK and the Knowledge Transfer Network are offering UK-based R&D performing SMEs the opportunity to receive a contribution of up to Ā£500 towards travel and accommodation costs to selected European brokerage events. Looking for collaboration opportunities or to find partners for your Horizon 2020 project in Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Processing (NMBP) Deadline: 24th September

See: https://ktn-uk.co.uk/news/apply-for-travel-support-for-non-uk-brokerage-event-in-nmbp-or-ict

 

BBSRC: ‘Stand-alone’ LINK

LINK supports collaborative research projects between at least one company and one academic partner. At least 50% of the full project cost comes from industry. Applications should be for pre-competitive research that would not be undertaken in this form without LINK support. Funding is only available for organisations eligible for BBSRC support.

Deadline: 25th September 2018

See: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/stand-alone-link/

 

BBSRC: Industrial Partnership Awards (IPAs)

IPAs are academic-led, responsive mode grants that have significant industrial involvement and industry partner(s) contributes in cash at least equivalent to 10% of the full project costs. Additional in-kind contributions from industry are welcome but do not count against the industry contribution.

Deadline: 25th September 2018

See: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/industrial-partnership-awards/

 

BBSRC: New Investigator Scheme

Assists early-career researchers – newly employed university lecturers, lecturer level equivalent fellows whose awards were secured in open competition, and researchers in Research Council Institutes at the unified Research Council Band E or its equivalent – to secure their first major element of research funding.

Deadline: 25th September 2018

See: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/new-investigator/

 

GCRF Global Engagement Networks

As part of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), UK Research and Innovation invites proposals for community building networks focused around research challenges within the six strategic GCRF Challenge portfolios: Up to Ā£150,000 is available per network, over a 2 year period. These funds are to support running costs, events and activities.

The Network Director (Principal Investigator) for each Network must be an academic based at an eligible research organisation in a country on the OECD DAC list.

Deadline:11th October 2018

See: www.ukri.org/research/global-challenges-research-fund/global-engagement-networks/

 

Business: Grants for equipment

The PAPI project help small businesses in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding develop innovative new products by providing grants (up to Ā£20,000) for equipment. See: www.papi.org.uk

 

Scotland: Circular Economy Investment Fund

A funding opportunity for small and medium sized enterprises in Scotland who are helping to create a more circular economy. See: www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/circular-economy/investment-fund

 

NELSA – North of England Life Science Accelerator Programme, Cheshire, 13-14th November 2018

Up to 10 early stage businesses/commercialisation projects will receive support and the potential to secure seed funding. Applications close: 17 Sep 18.  

See: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nelsa-north-of-england-life-science-accelerator-programme-tickets-47549316285


Newton Fund: PhD Placements and Supervisor Mobility Grants China-UK

This programme is a sponsorship opportunity for UK and Chinese PhD students and their supervisors to spend a period of study of three to 12 months (for PhD students) and up to three months (for supervisors) at higher education institutions in China or the UK. The focus is on research areas that reflect the common interests and demands of both countries, including: food and water security; environmental technologies; energy.

Deadline: 20th September 2018

See: www.britishcouncil.cn/en/programmes/education/higher/opportunities/phd 


Women in Innovation Awards 2018

UK business women can apply for one of 8 Women in Innovation Awards: Ā£50,000 funding each and a bespoke package of mentoring, coaching and business support. Deadline: 3rd October 2018

See: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/204/overview

 

BBSRC Follow on fund

The BBSRC Follow on Fund currently has an Industrial Biotechnology highlight for the upcoming round.

Deadline: 10th October 2018

See: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/follow-on/

 

Energy Catalyst Round 6: Transforming Energy Access

The Department for International Development (DFID) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will invest up to Ā£10 million in innovation projects. These must encourage technology that will help countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia access secure, low cost and low carbon energy. Ā£3 million of the funding is set aside for bioenergy projects.

Deadline: 4th November 2018

See: www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-guidance-for-energy-catalyst-round-6-transforming-energy-access

 

Funding Roundup – April 2018

BBSRC New Investigator Scheme, Deadline: 24 April 2018

See: https://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/filter/new-investigator/

 

BBSRC Industrial partnership awards

These support academic-led research projects and where industrial partners contribute in cash funding. The industry partners must contribute in cash at least equivalent to 10 per cent of the full project costs. Deadline: 24 April 2018

See: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/filter/industrial-partnership-awards/

 

BBSRC Stand-alone LINK programme, Deadline: 24 April 2018

This supports pre-competitive research projects including the collaboration between at least one company and one academic partner. Grants are worth up to Ā£400,000.

See: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/filter/stand-alone-link/

 

BBSRC-Brazil (FAPESP) joint funding of research, Deadline: 24 April 2018

See: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/filter/fapesp-joint-funding-research/

 

INNOVATE: Innovation loans: manufacturing and materials readiness, Deadline: 25 April 2018

See: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/116/overview

 

CBMNet Undergraduate Vacation Scholarship, Deadline: 27 April 2018

Up to Ā£2350now available. See: http://www.cbmnetnibb.net/

 

Universal Biotech Innovation Prize, Deadline: 30 April 2018

 The Innovation Prize aims to promote innovation in the field of Life Sciences. The most innovative projects in the field of biotech, medtech and digitech will be awarded with a grant and a year of consulting services offered by Universal Biotech, with a combined value of ā‚¬30,000.

See: www.universal-biotech-prize.com

 

Open Sector Competition

Deadline: 9 May 2018

UK businesses can apply for a share of Ā£19 million for game-changing innovations with strong commercial potential that will significantly impact the UK economy. Projects should aim to lead to new products, processes or services (or novel use of existing ones) believed to be significantly ahead of anything similar available in the field. Proposals can come from any technology and any part of the economy. See: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/120/overview

 

The 2018 #NewtonPrize call is now open, centring on partnerships in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. Start your application today! **Call closes 25 May** http://www.newtonfund.ac.uk/newtonprize/ 

 

Innovation Loans: April 2018 Open Competition, Deadline:6 June 2018

Innovate UK is to offer up to Ā£10 million in loans to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Loans are for highly innovative late stage projects with the best game changing and/or disruptive ideas or concepts. There should be a clear route to commercialisation and economic impact. Your proposal can come from any technology (including arts, design, media or creative industries) and any part of the economy. See: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/120/overview .

 

UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships scheme, Deadline: 7 June 2018

The Future Leaders Fellowship scheme (FLF) aims to develop, retain, attract and sustain research and innovation talent in the UK. Providing up to seven years of funding, for at least 550 early-career researchers and innovators, the scheme will tackle difficult and novel challenges. See: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/future-leader-fellowship/

 

H2020 2018-2020 Work Programme

See: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/news/horizon-2020-work-programme-2018-2020

For example – CE-BIOTEC-04-2018: New biotechnologies for environmental remediation

Scope: Proposals should include research and innovation for efficient and low cost remediation strategies using microorganisms by means of (bio-)electrochemical systems, or alternate systems that require minimum or zero external energy or chemicals. This topic is part of the EU-China flagship initiative on Biotechnology for Environment and Human Health, which will promote substantial coordinated and balanced research and innovation cooperation between the EU and China. Proposals requesting a contribution from the EU up to ā‚¬5M would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately.

 

Bridging for Innovators (B4I), Deadline: March 2021

Bridging for Innovators (B4I) is a programme run by Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to support UK industry. It is designed specifically to help companies overcome difficult product, manufacturing or process performance issues by leveraging more than Ā£2b worth of government investment in large scale scientific infrastructure. See: https://stfc.ukri.org/funding/research-grants/funding-opportunities/closing-calls/bridging-for-innovators-funding-programme/

FUNDING CALL: Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy in the Developing World

BBSRC has launched a call for proposals titled ā€˜Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy in the Developing Worldā€™ which may be of interest to our Network members.

 

The call is up to Ā£5 million and aims to support a number of collaborative research projects addressing challenges relating to industrial biotechnology and bioenergy in the developing world.

 

This call will develop the potential to utilise different biogenic feedstocks (for example crop residues) for the purpose of generating multiple (valuable) products (for example energy, pharmaceutical/ chemical precursors and clean water) in a sustainable way using biotechnologies to help support economic and welfare activities in the developing world.

 

The call is funded from the UK governmentā€™s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). As well as being scientifically excellent, research supported under it must meet the criteria for classification of expenditure as Official Development Assistance (ODA).

 

Funds can be requested for up to three years and projects must be completed by 1 February 2022. Applications must not exceed a maximum of Ā£2 million (at 100% of their full economic cost).

 

Applications must be submitted via the Je-S system by 6 June 2018, 16:00

 

Further information can be found on the BBSRC webpage here:

https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/industrial-biotechnology-bioenergy-in-the-developing-world/

Ā£5 million project to develop the bioeconomy across Yorkshire, Humber and Tees Valley

The THYME project will build on the existing expertise and innovation in the region in a new collaboration between the Universities of York, Hull and Teesside. Those involved in the three year project say the funding will boost the regionā€™s economy, create jobs and deliver major environmental benefits. In partnership with regional industry, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the wider community, the THYME project (Teesside, Hull and York – Mobilising Bioeconomy Knowledge Exchange ) has three key themes:

  • Transform:Produce high-value products from bio-based wastes and by-products
  • Convert: Re-purpose industrial sites for bio-based manufacturing
  • Grow: Increase productivity by reducing waste and energy use, adding value to by-products and developing better products using industrial biotechnology.

 

The full press release can be read on the University of York website

Early Career Researchers – Looking for funding?

Looking for help with conference fees, training, outreach or want to do more within your subject?

There are numerous societies and professional bodies which encourage and support ECRs. Most feature reduced membership fees for students which allow you to access their multitude of bursaries, scholarships, awards, grants and events worth thousands of pounds.

Try the Royal Society of Chemistry (Ā£20), the Royal Society of Biology (Ā£37.50), the Biochemical Society (Ā£24), the Microbiology Society (Ā£30), Society for Applied Microbiology (Ā£25), The Society for Experimental Biology (Ā£22),The British Ecological Society (free), the European Society for Evolutionary Biology (Ā£26), IChemE (Ā£25), ICE (free), CIWM (free), CIWEM (free).

It is also worth looking for support from Trusts and Charities which can assist ECRs with supporting grants e.g. The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust, see: www.stapleytrust.org/wp/about/  or the Leathersellersā€™ Company, see:  www.leathersellers.co.uk/education/educational-awards/.

There are hints about how to proceed at www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/alternative-masters-funding.aspx .

Funding Roundup – Jan 18

This roundup include Research Council, Innovate and EU funding, regional funding, NIBB Network funding and some miscellaneous funding opportunities, as well.

Research Council, Innovate and European Funding

Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB) Phase II

Community meeting: 17.01.18.

Expression of interest deadline: 24.01.18 at 16:00

BBSRC, in association with EPSRC, has announced a call of up to Ā£10 million to fund a second phase of Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB). They intend to fund a number of Networks, of varying scales, focusing on a broad range of fundamental and strategic challenges and questions facing the IBBE area. Networks will operate for up to 5 years and are expected to become self-sustaining beyond this.

See: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/filter/networks-in-industrial-biotechnology-bioenergy-phase2 .

 

INNOVATE: Open sector competition round 4

Innovate UKā€™s competition is open to the best business-led cutting-edge or disruptive ideas or concepts with a view to commercialisation. Total eligible project costs must be within the range Ā£25,000 to Ā£1,000,000. Projects may last between 6 and 36 months.

Deadline: 28th February 2018

KTN will be hosting briefing events for Innovate UK’s January 2018 sector competition for Health & Life Sciences and Emerging & enabling Technologies. Deadline: 28th March 2018.

Innovate UK is to invest up to Ā£19 million to support innovation that offers significant changes in productivity and cutting-edge innovation. The competition has 2 strands, strand 1 is for health and life sciences projects and strand 2 is for emerging and enabling technologies projects. A further Ā£12 million is available to fund Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).

See: www.ktn-uk.co.uk/news/register-now-for-the-briefing-events-for-the-january-2018-sector-competition-for-health-life-sciences-and-emerging-enabling-technologies .

All projects must involve at least one SME, working alone or in collaboration with other organisations. Projects with costs over Ā£100,000 must be collaborative and include a funded partner.  The competition will open on the 22nd January and you must apply before 28th March.  Further details about the scope of the competition will be available shortly.

KTN will be hosting a series of briefing events for the competition throughout January and February.  More information is available below regarding the strands and the briefing events.

 

Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Bridging for Innovators (B4I) is a programme to support UK industry in improving productivity . It started in 2017 and will end in March 2021.

See: www.stfc.ac.uk/funding/research-grants/funding-opportunities/closing-calls/bridging-for-innovators-funding-programme/ .

 

ESRC: GCRF New models of sustainable development: Transitions towards sustainable and inclusive societies

See: www.esrc.ac.uk/funding/funding-opportunities/gcrf-new-models-of-sustainable-development/ .

 

NERC Large Grants call

Grants range between Ā£1.2 million and Ā£3.7m at 100 per cent full economic cost, with a duration of up to five years. Deadline 13th March 2018

See: www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/researchgrants/large/ .

 

Horizon 2020 Calls

Horizon 2020 is the EU’s ā‚¬77 billion research and innovation funding scheme running from 2014 to 2020. BEIS has further clarified Horizon 2020 underwrite for UK participants.

  • Blue Growth – aims at sustainably harvesting the potential of resources from seas, oceans and inland waters for different uses and across the range of marine and maritime industries.

Deadline: 13th February 2018

  • Eurostars – Open to all projects in all technology areas and market fields, but projects must have a civilian purpose.

Deadline:  1st March 2018

  • Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based sectors – SMEs can play a crucial role in developing resource-efficient and cost-effective solutions to secure sufficient supplies of safe, healthy and high quality food and other bio-based products. Various deadlines.

Regional Funding

Bristol Sustainable Energy Research Fund

There is a fund of Ā£10K available to support researchers wishing to investigate or evaluate the relationship between people and energy. Research should produce insight that contributes to the development of a more sustainable, equitable and democratically accountable energy system in the South West of England. Unusually this is not limited to academic applicants provided there is a demonstrable publication history. Closing date: 31st January 2018. See: www.bserf.org.uk/guidance-for-applicants .

BDC ERDF Funding for bio-based innovation

The Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) has secured further ERDF funding to help Yorkshire businesses grow through bio-based innovations. The BDC is offering 120 pre-funded projects, value Ā£1000, for eligible local businesses by 2018.

See: www.biorenewables.org/service/funded-support-for-regional-smes/ .

NIBB Network Funding

C1Net

Final BIV Call Closes 31st May 2018. See: www.c1net.co.uk/Funding.html .

FoodWasteNet

Final BIV call closes on 28th February 2018. There is still funding available for up to 7 projects (of up to Ā£10,000). See: http://www.foodwastenet.org/ .

HVCfP

Final BIV round closes 16th January 2018. See: https://hvcfp.net/ .

PHYCONET Secondment funding

Deadline:  1st February 2018.

It is worth keeping track of various grants and awards available in the sector. For example, Bio-start is an annual competition designed to commercialise the engineering of biology. See: www.bio-start.uk/#competition .

Other Funding

L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women In Science Awards

The Fellowships are tenable at any UK or Irish university or research institute to support a 12-month period of early career research in any area of life, physical and computer sciences, engineering and mathematics. See: www.womeninscience.co.uk .

Deadline: 16th February 2018

Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellowships

These enable early- and mid-career engineering academics to conduct a collaborative research project in an industrial environment. Fellowships are worth up to Ā£30,000 each and are tenable for up to six months full-time or 12 months part-time. Deadline: 5th February 2018

Royal Academy of Engineering: Research Chairs and Senior Research Fellowships

These aim to strengthen the links between industry and academia by supporting academics in conducting use-inspired research that meets the needs of industrial partners.

Deadline: 6th March 2018

See: www.raeng.org.uk/grants-and-prizes/support-for-research/research-chairs .

Defra Farm Productivity Grants

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has opened a Ā£40 million grants scheme for investment in farm technology and equipment to boost farm productivity. Grants are available under the Countryside Productivity Scheme. See: www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-secretary-opens-40-million-fund-to-boost-farm-productivity .