Feasibility Studies

Feasibility Study Funding 

Next Funding Call:   Spring 2025 – to be announced

Feasibility Study awards provide up to £100,000 in BBSRC funding per project to support collaborative research and innovation. These awards aim to bridge the gap between early-stage research and later-stage commercialisation by enabling translation activities. The focus is on driving innovation, particularly through the development and validation of novel functional foods for specific target populations.

Projects supported by these awards will focus on translating gut health or stanol research to promote recovery and improved health outcomes, targeting areas such as:

  • Recovery from exercise fatigue
  • Inflammation
  • Mental strain
  • Post-infection illness
  • Managing menopause

Funding is awarded at 100% full economic cost (FEC), and matched contributions from industrial collaborators, either in cash or in-kind, are required to enhance the project’s impact.

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 allows you to 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.

Industrial collaborator

An industry collaborator (individual business or consortia of businesses) must be included and recognised contributions included within the submission (for example, additional impact account funds and in-kind contributions).

The industrial collaborator should have a UK research and development or manufacturing site. In exceptional circumstances, where there is no existing capability in the UK, BBSRC may consider the opportunity for businesses outside of the UK to be involved in awards. Please note there are no funds available for the industrial collaborator.

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 or 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 Feasibility Study application form template and a guidance document can be downloaded below to assist with the application process.

Jan2024 Feasibility Application Template

INFORM Hub -Feasibility Study Guidance Document

INFORM Hub Funding Call BIV Financial Breakdown Template