Feasibility Study Funding Call – Spring 2024
These awards are for £25,000 to £100,000 in value for linking industry with academia and should focus on new collaborations. Industrial contributions of matched funding from cash, in-kind or facilities access, etc., are required. These projects are for up to 9 months in duration.
INFORM is accepting applications for projects looking to translate gut health or stanol research to support recovery and promote improved health, focusing on functional products targeting:
- recovery from exercise fatigue
- inflammation
- mental strain
- post-infection illness
- managing menopause
These projects should enable translation activities leading to innovation which could include the development and validation of novel functional foods in target populations. Up to £100,000 is available, with matched/in-kind funding from industry expected
Costs are awarded at 100% FEC. INFORM requires matched funding in the form of cash and/or in-kind contributions from Industrial collaborators for Feasibility Studies.
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, 26th April 2024
Who can apply?
Feasibility Awards Collaborative Research and Innovation (up to £100,000 BBSRC funding per project): to enable translation and commercialisation activity to help bridge the gap towards later-stage innovation. These awards must have matched cash or in-kind contributions from the business partners
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 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
Click HERE to apply for Feasibility Study Funding.