Business Interaction Vouchers

Business Interaction Voucher (BIV) Funding

 

Next Funding Call:   Spring 2025 – to be announced

The Business Interaction Voucher (BIV) funding scheme is designed to support collaborative research that develops new tools or mechanistic processes, focusing on areas like the microbial community, metabolites, or functional end products to support health research.

BIV awards offer funding of between £10,000 and £50,000 to promote collaborations between academia and industry, particularly in diet, health, and nutrition. These short-term projects, lasting up to six months, aim to strengthen partnerships and build trust between academic researchers and industry professionals. While business contributions towards the collaboration are not mandatory, they are encouraged when feasible.

BIV awards will assist proof-of-principle projects in stanol or gut health research, investigating mechanisms that support:

  • Recovery from exercise
  • Inflammation
  • Mental strain
  • Managing menopause
  • Post-infection illness to promote improved health

Eligible applicants include academics from UK-based research organisations, including higher education institutions and public sector research establishments, who are encouraged to work with industry partners on projects of industrial relevance. Projects prioritising new collaborations are favoured, though existing partnerships that increase technological readiness may also be supported.

Costs are awarded at 100% FEC. While additional in-kind or cash contributions are not mandatory, they are welcomed.

The following costs will not be supported.

  • indirect or estate costs at the research organisation
  • any costs relating to intellectual property protection, including but not limited to registering, maintaining, or supporting patents or property rights
  • equipment with a value of £10,000 or more
  • undergraduate or postgraduate activities, training, or core PhD training, including tuition or bench fees.

 

Who can apply?

The lead applicant needs to be employed at one of the following

  • higher education institution
  • eligible independent research organisation
  • public sector research establishment
  • UKRI-funded labs and facilities.

Only institutes eligible to receive UKRI Research Council funding can be supported. Full details can be found here.

At the time of application, the PI must have either:

  • a contract of employment that extends beyond the duration of the proposed grant (or, if not employed by the submitting organisation, a formal non-salaried arrangement that extends beyond the duration of the proposed grant), or;
  • an assurance from the submitting organisation that, if the proposal is successful, a pre-existing contract of employment (or pre-existing formal commitment to provide support if not employed at the organisation) will be extended beyond the grant’s end date.
  • Postdoctoral researchers, research technicians, and other academic and research staff members are eligible to apply.
  • We also request an assurance letter from your Head of School, Faculty or Department that their institution supports any ECR applicants who are not normally eligible for a standard UKRI grant.

You do not need to be a member of the INFORM ORIC to apply, but we would recommend it, and if you are successful, you would need to join. It’s simple to join and lets you hear about our funding calls and events before anyone else. You can be a member of other ORIC hubs, too. If you haven’t already, please sign up here.

Costs that cannot be claimed

Please note you cannot apply for:

  • indirect or estate costs at the research organisation
  • any costs relating to intellectual property protection, including but not limited to registering, maintaining, or supporting patents or property rights
  • equipment with a value of £10,000 or more
  • undergraduate or postgraduate activities, training, or core PhD training, including tuition or bench fees.
  • Impact account funding will not include a provision for inflation based on the GDP Deflators published by HM Government.

 

A copy of the Business Interaction Voucher application form template and a guidance document can be downloaded below to assist with the application process.

BIV Application Form Template

BIV Guidance Document

INFORM Hub Funding Call BIV Financial Breakdown Template