BIV Funding Call – Spring 2024
These are awards of £10,000 to £50,000 in value for building connections between industry and academia and should focus on new collaborations. Industrial contributions in kind, or facilities access, are encouraged. These projects are for up to 6 months in duration.
INFORM is accepting applications for proof-of-principle projects in stanol or gut health research exploring mechanisms supporting:
- Recovery from exercise
- Inflammation
- Mental strain
- Managing menopause
- Post-infection illness to promote improved health
We encourage academics and companies to work together to develop mechanistic projects focusing on the microbial community, metabolites or functional end products.
Costs are awarded at 100% FEC. Additional in-kind or cash contributions for the project are not mandatory but 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.
Applications should be submitted by 5 pm on 26th April 2024.
Who can apply?
Business interactive vouchers (BIV): Small awards (up to £50,000) to initiate, develop and enhance collaboration between academics and industrialists within diet, health and nutrition. These projects will prime partnerships and build trust between academics and industry to help progress beyond the BIV funding and will last no longer than six months. Contributions from businesses are not required but are encouraged where possible.
These projects are for up to 6 months in duration.
Only institutes eligible to receive UKRI Research Council funding can be supported. Full details can be found here.
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.
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.
INFORM Hub Funding Call BIV Financial Breakdown Template
Click HERE to apply for BIV Funding.