Bringing Together Businesses & World Leading Experts in Biofilm Research
NBIC brings together over 200 businesses and world leading experts in biofilm research to accelerate the commercial development of new solutions, products and services. We catalyse collaboration between companies, engineers, scientists and clinicians to develop new innovative technologies that prevent, detect, manage and engineer biofilms in industrial, personal, household and clinical environments.
Research Partners
NBIC is a consortium of 63 leading academic institutions in the UK with an extended network of multidisciplinary researchers at the forefront of biofilm science.
Expertise in Biofilm Research & Management
We have expertise in all aspects of biofilm research and management, from basic biofilm physiology and function, to nanoscale surface engineering.
Being an academic means your organisation will formally join NBIC (if based in the UK and able to receive research council/UKRI funding), and be a key part of our consortium in tackling and exploiting biofilms. You will also be able to apply for our specific funding calls.
If you are based internationally or are within a research institution unable to receive UKRI funds, we would still like to connect with you and collaborate where possible.
We regularly contact our research partners to deepen our knowledge of their capabilities and look to connect them with potential industry collaborators and end-users. You will be able to attend our workshops and events, and participate in our training.
Benefits to Being a Research Partner
Building on our leading position in national and international biofilm research in partnership with our industry members, NBIC delivers:
- Excellence in science: a core team of biofilm scientists and engineers as research and technology translators leveraging >£40M of existing research funding, £26M from BBSRC and Innovate UK, as well as university and industry support.
- NBIC-funded postdoctoral Interdisciplinary Research Fellows currently focused on the NBIC scientific strategy and engaged in cutting edge biofilms science.
- A community of 63 UK universities/research institutions and >200 companies engaged in biofilm research, control and exploitation.
- Access to Proof of Concept calls aligned with the NBIC strategy, available for academics and companies to undertake initial exploration of translational research topics, all with professional management of knowledge and intellectual assets.
- Cross-sectorial workshops and scientific forums: participation with NBIC associated companies and academic community, providing the opportunity to form links, define unmet needs and identify possible collaborations or Proof of Concept projects. Ability to influence the NBIC strategy, funding calls and set the agenda nationally via funders and regulators.
- Partnering: support in finding industry and academic partners.
- Access to NBIC grants: including the Flexible Travel Mobility Awards.
- Access to facilities: facilities and equipment fit for purpose to enable operational activities and produce technology demonstrators, proven National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) clinical translation capability, all with access for third parties.
- Entrepreneurship training: entrepreneurial skills and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training for industrial researchers.
- Geared funding through the building of consortia e.g. Innovate UK projects, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), EU projects and access to undergraduate/postgraduate projects.
- Public engagement and outreach: an industry outreach and engagement programme, to inform research and innovation strategy, and raise awareness with companies about the state of the art.
- Market analysis: market analysis and market development capability, to evaluate commercial opportunities across a range of potential end-users.
Become a Research Partner
Are you an academic researcher studying biofilms in a university/research institution eligible for UKRI research council funding?
If you would like to become a research partner, please contact us.
NBIC will then provide you with the NBIC Consortium Agreement and related documents for you and your legal team to consider.
Once you are ready to accede to the Consortium Agreement you will be asked to provide details of the your academic lead, legal lead and technology transfer lead contact information.
On a specific date, all NBIC partners will be informed that new partners wish to join.
After a period of due diligence, an Accession Agreement will be sent to all new and existing partners; this Accession Agreement states that academic partners shall observe, perform and are bound by the provisions of the NBIC Consortium Agreement.
A date will be set for all parties to sign. NBIC will then circulate executed copies once signed by all academic partners.
Become an Industry Member
Become an industry member and receive an additional layer of support from NBIC experts and exclusive access to a range of specialised services.