July 2021 Funding Landscape: Latest Funding, Awards and Grants

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Scope of Call:

•Addresses: disease prevention, detection and diagnosis of disease, and tailored treatments.

•Aim: enable businesses to create a data package that can support the further development of their product or process that is an innovative solution to a defined health or care challenge. Available funding: total £18 m

•Project durations between 12 & 36 months, total costs between £250 k – £4 m.

Eligibility:

•UK micro or SME can lead.

•Any size UK business or RTO can partner. Large companies cannot claim grant funding.

Dates: closes: 26 August 2021 (11:00)

•Project start: by 1 Feb. 2022 (latest), end by 31 Jan 2025

Key Considerations:

•Must be led by UK micro or SME business

•Project can include:

•Experimental evaluation of proof of concept.

•Explore possible production mechanisms

•Demonstration of clinical utility and effectiveness.

•Can be early or late stage to support planning of testing or performing testing in a clinical setting.

•Two-stage application: written and interview.

•Looking in particular for projects focused on:

•Child health tech

•Innovations supporting clinical trials

•Biomedical innovations combating threat of antimicrobial resistance

General Recommendations:

•The project needs to show that the work done will support further development of their products.

•The product must be an innovative solution to a defined health or care challenge.

•If presented as a late-stage test of an existing product or concept then there must be evidence of prior credible research.

•Need to identify if the project is industrial research or experimental development (larger, but lower funding %).

•Any overseas subcontracting (e.g. for clinical trials outside the UK) is allowable if good justification is given.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

•Any biomedical technological area aligned to the above aim; thus all NBIC themes are relevant.

•HEI’s cannot lead.

•The development or trials are expected to lead to product development Sectors and Market Alignment:

•Medical products and processes.

•Includes medical devices, advanced therapies, drug discovery and diagnostics.

•Projects can be industrial research or experimental development.

•Projects must be led by a micro or SME business. Larger businesses can partner but do not receive grant funding. Academic partners are permitted but cannot lead a project.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

•Depends upon target of trial or development. Could be any of PDME

Possible application of Biofilms

•Biofilms may be particularly relevant to diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, drug discovery and medical devices

Key Collaborators

–Clinical support for trials from hospital or health trusts. Large medical companies also potentially useful. Academic researchers working in a clinical or microbial area.

–NBIC researchers and partners may be appropriate partners to a clinical trials or development company giving support for specific biofilm applications or prevention.

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Scope of Call: Medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and tier 3a digital health technologies.

Aim: Help SMEs reach the next stage in development and apply for further funding, in particular an i4i development award.

Available funding: total £unspecified Project costs: £50-150k; 6 – 12 months. Grant: 100%;

Eligibility: Lead: SME May include collaboration with another SME, NHS trust or research institute; patient and public involvement required.

Dates: Competition 5: Stage 1 open: 17 August 2021, closes 14 Sept 2021 Stage 2: open: 6 Oct 2021, closes 2 Nov 2021

Key Considerations

•Project lead applicant must be an SME based in England.

•Collaborators/subcontractors from elsewhere can be included if justified.

•Collaborator with another SME, research institute or NHS Trust beneficial.

•Research proposals may address any area of existing or emerging healthcare need.

•Innovations can be at any stage of the translational R&D pathway.

•Proof of Concept must be evidenced.

•Two stage application:

•EoI (stage 1)

•Project-focused business plan (stage 2).

General Recommendations:

•This competition is for projects that can demonstrate proof of concept and need support to get to next stage.

•Any medical device or diagnostic tool with clear and demonstrable patient benefit.

•Projects should include a Research and Development component.

•Target of the funding is to de-risk projects in advance of further investment or grant funding application.

•Existing collaboration not required, but future collaborators need to be identified.

•A business plan is necessary, showing potential for commercialisation.

•Stage 1 EoI, followed by business plan and 3 min. video pitch, if shortlisted.

•Six assessment criteria.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

•This topic is of relevance to all NBIC themes, P, D, M & E Sectors and Market Alignment:

•Targeted at the healthcare sector specifically.

•R&D of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices, including product design, scale-up, IP, safety and efficacy studies, health economics, CE marking. R&D must be a component of the project.

•The target user is the NHS in the first instance; commercialisation partner could be a provider of services or product to the NHS.

•Target application must be somewhere that a clear clinical need and patient benefit can be shown.

•Project should show how it will change clinical practice, provide patient benefits and potential cost savings for the NHS.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

•P: protection of surfaces, cleaning and re-use of clinical instruments.

•D: sensing of microbial contaminants, in vitro detection and identification of pathogens.

•M: decontamination of surfaces, applying preventative surfaces to reduce cross-contamination, destruction of biofilms for improved healthcare.

•E: laboratory cultures for identifying or developing anti-microbial agents, development of screening processes using bio-film based instrumentation.

Key Collaborators

–NHS providers, patient groups, research institutions.

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Scope of Call: A funding opportunity for businesses and organisations in Scotland working in any sector where innovative projects have the ability to deliver carbon savings, leverage investment and create jobs.

Aim: Development and uptake of innovative technologies, products and services to support a circular economy, exploring new markets and developing innovative business models.

Available funding: total £18 m Project costs: up to £1M Grant: 25% (large); 35% (med.); 45% (small).

Eligibility: Lead: SME Business based in Scotland

Dates: Open competition: information and proposal form available on website

Key Considerations:

•This is an opportunity for Scotland-based small businesses working in the circular economy

•Topics of interest are:

•Built environment

•Food systems

•Bio-economy

•Energy infrastructure

•Heat and Energy

•Waste

•Large companies (non SME) and public sector bodies including academic institutions are not eligible for funding under this scheme.

•Collaboration is actively encouraged where it strengthens the overall proposal, but note that only SMEs and registered 3rd party organisations are eligible for funding.

General Recommendations:

•Projects need to show how they will benefit the circular economy in Scotland.

•Carbon savings should be presented in terms of tonnes CO2 equivalent.

•The project may show how an innovative technology can add value to a ‘waste’ product or material.

•Projects should be well advanced in development. Early-stage research or basic science projects are not supported under this fund.

•Proposed projects must outline the circular economy benefits of the project, and must plan to take a product, model, service, technology or invention towards commercial scale development.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

•Aligns with themes: Manage and Engineer.

•Aligns with NBIC’s activities: Next generation enabling tech; sectorial challenge; Improved Customer Products.

Sectors and Market Alignment:

•Any sector in which carbon savings can be generated, or where industrial waste can be reclaimed and re-used.

Collaboration:

•An opportunity for an SME NBIC member company based in, or operating in Scotland to work with small industrial companies and/or academic researchers or for a UK-based member company to ally with a large industrial concern in Scotland

Other: Demonstration at commercial scale will be necessary.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

•Manage: New business models to re-use materials usually classed as waste, possibly due to bio-fouling; application of new approaches to manufacturing to reduce or sequester CO2 produced.

•Engineer: Create technologies to reduce bio-degradation of re-usable materials, creation of carbon reduction or sequestration processes or products

Possible application of Biofilms

•Use in carbon sequestration or process modification for carbon reduction or materials re-use

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Scope of Call:

Part of the SSPP, Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Programme

Smart & sustainable plastic packaging for consumer products.

Deliver cleaner growth across supply chains.

Aim: To establish the UK as a leading innovator and deliver dramatic reduction in plastic waste entering the environment by 2025.

Available funding: total £7 m

Project costs: £200 k to £4 m, 12-36 months

Grant: 50% (large); 60% (med.); 70% (small).

Eligibility: Lead: Business, collaboration allowed, research organisations max of 50% total eligible costs.

Dates: Open: 18 May 2021, close: 08 Sept. 2021

Key Considerations:

•SSPP Challenge aims to establish the UK as a leading innovator.

•Projects must improve the sustainability of the plastic packaging supply chain

•Must make a significant contribution towards delivering the targets of the UK Plastics Pact 

•Must utilise at-scale innovation in design, technology, processes, business models, supply chains or data for plastic packaging.

•Particular interest in:

•Minimised plastic packaging

•Refill at scale

•Sustainable solutions for film

•Food grade recycled PP/PE

•Behavioural change for less waste

•Address Plastics Pact target for unnecessary or single use plastic packaging

General Recommendations:

• These are business-led research projects, but must show clear target of their research in respect of the considerations.
• Clearly explain reductions in UK plastic packaging system’s overall environmental impact.
• Demonstrate contributing to meeting one or more of the UK Plastic Pact targets.
• The project can be a mix of industrial research and experimental development. The scale of the project would reflect this mix
• Note that experimental development components of a bid carry lower recovery rates.
• An online briefing is available here. 

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

• Aligns with all themes: Prevent, Detect, Manage, Engineer.
• Aligns with NBIC’s activities: Interdisciplinary research and sectorial challenge; Improved Customer Products.

Sectors and Market Alignment:

• Any practical innovative solutions to help reduce plastic waste and the harm plastics have on the environment, including recycling, reuse, tracking, etc..

Collaboration:

• Ideal for an NBIC member company to collaborate with one or more of the NBIC University research teams.

Other:

• Demonstration of value for money will be expected.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

• Prevent: bio-degradability; reuse & refill.
• Detect: marking & tracking of packaging to improve supply chain circularity or sustainability.
• Manage: New business models to reduce plastic going to landfill; behaviour change to use less packaging, increase recycling; reduce dependency on plastics.
• Engineer: incorporate biofilms into packaging; develop food grade plastic packaging that may be recycled etc.

Possible application of Biofilms 

• As above plus low carbon, non fossil polymers for packaging.

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Scope of Call:

Encourage the development and adoption of new technologies and ways of working that will enhance the quantity, quality and diversity of planting stock available for tree planting in England.

Aim: Maximise quantity, quality and diversity of trees through improvements to seed, growing medium and weed suppression.

Available funding: total £1 m

Project costs: £200k, 6 month projects

Grant: 50% (large); 60% (med.); 70% (small).

Eligibility: Lead: Any UK based organisation, but public bodies must partner with private sector organisations.  Consortia are welcomed.

Dates: Open: July 2021, close: 30 Sept. 2021

Key Considerations:

• Three challenges:
• Make better use of available seed and planting material
• Improve growing systems and promote biosecurity
• Innovative weed suppression systems
• Projects can be standalone with fully developed outcomes or feasibility studies.
• Projects must take place in England.

General Recommendations:

• 6-month projects must run between October 2021 and March 2022.
• Public bodies will be required to partner with private sector third party organisations to be eligible for funding.
• New entrants to the sector are welcome to participate.
• Proposals that demonstrate benefit to broadleaf tree propagation are of particular interest.
• The competition’s opening date is not yet set, watch the DEFRA link for specific timing.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

• Aligns with all themes: Prevent, Detect, Manage, Engineer.
• Aligns with NBIC’s activities: Interdisciplinary research and sectorial challenge; Improved Customer Products.

Sectors and Market Alignment:

• Innovations related to environment, biocides, soil and microbial management etc..

Collaboration:

• A research team needs to partner with an appropriate industrial organisation, which could be in the horticultural, biological sectors or a new entrant to this area.

Other:

• Projects may develop and demonstrate an existing idea or may be a feasibility study into possible solutions to one of the challenges.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

• Prevent: reduction of bio-contamination.
• Detect: identify harmful microbes or surface contaminants
• Manage: Create mechanisms to manage soil and growing medium condition, and control microbe presence.
• Engineer: Create surface film for seeds or growing medium for suppression of weeds, management of germination times or improvement in growth

Possible application of Biofilms – As above

Key Collaborators

• Agricultural or horticultural producers or research organisations

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Scope of Call:

Short term collaboration funding for pump-priming funds for feasibility studies and preliminary data collection.

Aim: targeted at plant science and technology focussed researchers with a particular interest in addressing horticultural crop quality (fruit, vegetables and potatoes) and postharvest food loss.

Available funding: total £200k

Project costs: £5-20k, 3-9 month projects.

Eligibility:
Open to all UK based researchers at UKRI eligible institutions.

Dates:
Open: 04 May 2021, close: 06 August 2021

Key Considerations:

• Funding is for UK based researchers, collaboration with third parties expected.
• Business interaction vouchers are intended to promote collaborations between researchers and industrialists.
• Networking visit funding is also available to enable academics from different institutions to meet to co-develop ideas and preconcept note proposals.

General Recommendations:

• Business interaction and visit vouchers up to £5k available in addition to the academic grant.
• Collaboration with one or more industrial organisation should be included.
• The inclusion of early career researchers is a benefit.
• This is a source of short term collaboration funding for projects for use to develop ideas and research plans or conduct feasibility studies for acquisition of preliminary data that would enable a project to be developed beyond the pump-priming phase.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

• Aligns with all themes: Prevent, Detect, Manage, Engineer.
• Aligns with NBIC’s activities: Interdisciplinary research and sectorial challenge; Improved Customer Products.

Sectors and Market Alignment:

• Innovations and research targeting horticultural and food science.

Collaboration:

• A researcher or research team is funded directly, with support to collaborate with industrialists and develop networks to take their ideas forward.

Other:

• This funding is pump-priming, and could be used to support the feasibility analysis or development of a collaborative proposal for further funding.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

• Relationship to PDME
• Prevent: Any aspect where bio-contamination is discovered, tracked or monitored.
• Detect: identify surface films associated with horticulture or crops.
• Manage: Investigate mechanisms for managing the impact of bio-films and contaminants on crop quality.
• Engineer: Investigate role of bio-films, contaminants and engineered beneficial microbial films for the improvement and management of crop quality.

Possible application of Biofilms – as above

Key Collaborators

• Agricultural or horticultural industrialists or other research organisations.

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Scope of Call:

• Innovation grants to facilitate interactions between Med Tech SMEs and Knowledge Providers during product development. For example, help to develop or test new or improved products, processes and services.
• Applications assessed on novelty of innovation, clinical need, value for money, strength of team.

Available Funding:

• Up to £7,500 grant (50% of total project cost).

Dates:

Open call, next deadline 09 July 2021

Subsequent deadlines: 08 Oct 2021

Key Considerations:

• SME applies for and justifies knowledge collaboration.
• Simple application process with regular awards committee reviews.
• Typical projects include:
• Help to develop or test new or improved products, processes and services.
• Access to information and expertise on care pathways and workflows
• Tapping into clinical and scientific expertise.

General Recommendations:

• Health stakeholders should be involved in any bid, such as patient groups, clinicians or NHS organisations.
• Teaming with an NHS Trust or medical device manufacturer would be beneficial.
• University medical departments are also regarded as a knowledge provider.
• The currently open call closes on 09 July 2021, the next call will open immediately afterwards, closing on 08 October 2021
• Knowledge sharing and partner discovery/access can be accessed through the MedTech CONNECT portal

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

• Could apply to all NBIC themes, drawing on expertise supportive of SMEs.

Collaboration:

• UK SME led, collaboration with university (or NHS/medical organisation).
• Links with, e.g., the Southampton medical school, would be helpful.
• Could form part of an existing relationship between NBIC and health SME, or help to establish new relationship.
• Any MedTech SME needing expertise to support development or testing can access NBIC as a knowledge provider.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

• The grants facilitate interaction between SMEs and knowledge providers on any aspect of healthcare, therefore any aspect of PDME could come into play.

Possible application of Biofilms

-Fund covers any aspect of health and medical technology, and so any of the many health applications of biofilms already in development through NBIC are relevant.

-Fund could support an existing link between an SME industry partner and NBIC research institution.

Key Collaborators

-UK SMEs associated with NBIC.

-RTOs or health trusts as knowledge providers.

-Universities / Research Institutes from NBIC.

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Scope of Call:

• Grants available to scientists in all career stages who are affiliated with any research-based institution, university or company.
• Grants offered to stimulate innovative research in challenging areas of future importance.

Funding:

• Grants of €100k – 500k (depending on topic) per year for up to three years, with the option of an extension.
• Can apply for more than one grant, or more than one focus topic
• Initial non-confidential application; successful ones invited to submit full proposal.

Dates:

• Submission deadline 31 Aug 2021
• Selection workshops Nov/Dec 2021

Key Considerations:

• Topic areas of interest this year are:
• Drug Discovery
• Real time testing and sensors
• Nanoparticle for nucleic acid delivery
• Digital innovation
• Bioelectronics
• Sustainability
• Media recycling for cultured meat
• organoids
• The research topics are looking for new technologies and approaches that will apply to new and emerging challenges in the health and environment sector.
• Details of the expectations under each of the topics of interest are given on the linked web-page.
• Knowledge of the commercial expectations of Merck will be important.

General Recommendations:

• Knowledge, competence, access to facilities and innovative ideas will support a bid.
• Connection to, or collaboration with, a clinical or healthcare provider will add credibility and knowledge of the user.
• Innovative thinking, bringing technologies applied to non-health sectors into the health domain will be of interest.
• Applications will be scored on the criteria of: innovativeness; commercial potential; path forward after 3 years; probability of success; team strength; strategic fit.
• Successful applicants will be invited to a ‘deep dive’ workshop with Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, costs paid by Merck.
• Purpose: jointly optimise the submitted proposals.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

• Aligns with all NBIC themes, esp. Prevent and Detect, and applies to the improved health sectorial challenge and environmental challenge.
• Research within an NBIC partner institution relevant to vaccine or drug delivery platforms, pathogen control, biosensors or bioprocessing could be proposed.

Sectors and Market Alignment:

• Involvement can create connections between NBIC research and commercial partners, including the pharmaceutical industry.
• Merck are seeking entry to wider markets (e.g., cultured meat production) and research proposals that broaden the application space will be of interest

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

–Prevent: Any application of biofilms that supports identification or categorisation of future health threats.

–Detect: any platform using biofilms for screening or diagnostics of infections in patient management.

–Manage: testing, vector control and delivery systems for emerging health threats.

–Engineer: applications of biofilms in drug delivery, monitoring etc..

Possible application of Biofilms

-Appear to be many relevant biofilm applications at PoC level already underway that are relevant and could form the basis of a bid.

Key Collaborators

-These are research proposals seeking tech solutions towards pandemic preparedness, therefore led by an NBIC researcher or team supported by access to other researchers through NBIC.

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Scope of Call:

• KTN runs iX challenges on behalf of various beneficiaries looking for innovative solutions to specific challenges.
• Challenges are updated regularly, and sometimes have relevance for specific technology businesses and researchers.
• Selected finalists are given the opportunity to present to the challenge sponsor, possibly leading to a commercial opportunity.
• Support from KTN and relevant catapults are available to successful applicants.

Sectors and Market Alignment:

• (a) Sellafield challenge: “Needlestick and puncture resistant materials for glovebox gauntlets”, closes 15 July 2021
• (b) EQUANS: four challenges related to energy and the environment, all closing 30 Sep 2021.

Dates: dependent on challenge.

Key Considerations:

• KTNiX provides an opportunity to propose technology applications to commercial users.
• The challenges are set by commercial users – recent challenges have been based around energy efficiency and crowd monitoring.
• IP is retained by the solution provider(s).

Collaboration:

• Proposal could be a collaboration of businesses with the right mix of skills.
• Organisations bidding must be UK based.

General Recommendations:

• If successful in the initial round these challenges give the opportunity for a small organisation to raise its profile in what could be a profitable future area.
• Note that a simple registration to KTN-iX is necessary to access details of this and other Innovation Exchange competitions.
• EQUANS challenges:
• Solutions to Decarbonise Heat.
• Solutions for Smarter & Greener Places.
• Industrial Decarbonisation Solutions.
• Digital Tools for the Built Environment.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

• Currently no obviously relevant biofilm challenges advertised, although a novel approach to the glovebox challenge might be possible.
• When a relevant challenge is advertised a biofilm based solution or approach can be considered and proposed.
• Calls could align with any or all NBIC themes, Prevent, Detect, Manage and Engineer – the latest challenge could be Engineer.

Sectors and Market Alignment:

• Any sector could be represented, although recent ‘hot’ topics have been COVID-19 related, environment and energy. Future topics are likely to include carbon reduction, infection management and circular economy.
• Successful development under one of the KTN-iX challenges could lead to opportunities for biofilms to be applied in novel ways or sectors, or lead to translation of technologies between application sectors.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

-Depends upon detailed description of challenge, available after registration.

-Potentially all four themes could be relevant, typically one or two per challenge.

Key Collaborators

-Researchers and application experts.

-Knowledgeable experts in application challenge area.

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Scope of Call:

Provides financial support for projects in England in the aquaculture sectors and that enhance and protect the marine environment.

Aim:

Supports sustainable growth in the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors and projects that enhance the marine environment.

Available funding: £unspecified

Project: £1k – £100k; dependent on application.

Grant: 80% fleet, 75% public, 30% SME.

Eligibility:
UK business, public body, university/RTO, individual.

Collaboration: possible.

Dates:
open: rolling deadline, 8 week turnaround, registration closes 31 December 2022

Key Considerations

• There are a range of application areas, each with separate conditions:
• Protecting marine environment
• Supporting coastal communities
• Reform of stock and quota management
• Developing industry infrastructure for sustainable growth
• Separate guidance for each activity in the scheme, check online for information including budgets and dates.
• An Expression of Interest can be submitted to check eligibility of a project before it is formally submitted.

General Recommendations:

• Not all areas of the scheme are open at the same time, so need to check what is relevant and eligible.
• If the MMO consider the applicant could afford to pay for the project without additional funding the application will be rejected, therefore ensure that funding is essential to achieve the objective.
• The bid must include a description of the targets and benefits anticipated, against which the performance will be evaluated.
• The scheme covers a wide range of applicants that could be an individual or business or university, so there is a wide range of opportunity available.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

• There are a range of bio-film applications that could be relevant, from efficiency of ships by bio-foul reduction to catch management or environment management for fishery operations.
• This funding could also be relevant for the development of products that support the fishing or aquaculture industries, such as in biocides for catch management and processing or gear maintenance.

Key Collaborators:

• The call does not specify whether collaborations are in scope, although the implication is that a single organisation or individual will make the application. It is possible that a business supported by a university, for example, may be eligible.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

• Proposed solutions could be relevant to Prevention of biofilm fouling or degradation (for example on fishing gear or processing equipment), Detection of biofilm build-up, Management of biofilms that impair performance/ reduce efficiency, or Engineering of beneficial bio growth or bio-degradation components and surfaces.

Possible application of Biofilms

• It is likely that bio-films are hazards to be managed, such as growth on marine equipment or degradation of catch.
• There might also be applications related to the enhancement of the marine environment through reduction or mitigation of environmental impact.

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Scope of Call:

• Feasibility and engineering studies needed to enable an investment decision in energy efficiency and decarbonisation.

Aim: Support studies necessary to facilitate the permanent installation of specific technologies at industrial sites.

Available funding: £40m across 2 strands

Project: £30k-£7m, 12 months for feasibility; £50k-£14m, 24 months for engineering study.

Feasibility: 70% micro, 60% medium, 50% large;  Engineering: 45% micro, 35% medium, 25% large (can be higher for collaboration).

Eligibility:
Lead: UK business

Collaboration: research max 30% of total cost

Dates: open: 08 March 2021.

close: 14 July 2021

Key Considerations

• Feasibility studies should aim to demonstrate economic case for the technology and associated emissions reductions.
• A single technology should already have been chosen for study.
• Engineering study should be a project plan that specifies technical and operational requirements (FEED study).
• Must focus on:
• Energy efficiency
• Deep Decarbonisation
• Cannot include measures not integral to an industrial process.
• Must consent to produce a case study for knowledge sharing.
• Collaboration leading to exchange of knowledge or technology is encouraged and leads to higher grant levels for engineering study.

General Recommendations:

• The technology being investigated must improve the energy efficiency, reduce the greenhouse gas of an industrial process, or achieve both.
• The study should be designed to enable the applicant to conclude whether further development is cost-effective.
• For deep decarbonisation studies, the project should focus on technical barriers associated with this technology.
• The project should contribute to the overall objectives of the Industrial Energy Technology Fund (IETF).
• Transportation and CO2 storage are not in scope.

NBIC Theme (PDME) Alignment:

• Could align with any NBIC theme where biofilms might form part of a technology solution to carbon reduction applied to an industrial process.

Key Collaborators:

• Lead business will come from an industrial operator able to reduce carbon emissions, and may collaborate with biofilm SME or research team.
• For the engineering study collaboration and knowledge exchange leads to higher grant funding, and is therefore beneficial. No single partner can have more than 30% project costs for this to be available.
• Research partner costs limited to 30% of project cost and they do not count towards the maximum of three partners.
• Subcontractors are allowed; if from overseas should be fully justified.

NBIC Specific Recommendations:

Relationship to PDME

• Proposed solutions could be Prevention or Detection of biofilm fouling (leading to improved efficiencies), Management or Engineering of biofilms that impair performance, improve energy efficiency or support decarbonisation.

Possible application of Biofilms

• Biofilms might contribute to a decarbonisation process or might be a preventable cause of loss of efficiency that can be addressed.

MORE INFO

IETF deployment of energy efficiency technologies, Spring 2021 : total £40 m; closes: 14 July 2021.

• Onsite deployment of technologies to improve the energy efficiency of an industrial process or processes.
• Grant request > £100 k – £14 m; 12 – 24 month projects.
• Aimed at businesses that use energy or produce direct emissions.
• Visit competition page.

IETF energy efficiency and decarbonisation studies, Spring 2021 : total £40 m Closes: 14 July 2021.

• Feasibility and engineering studies to enable investment decisions in energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation solutions.
• UK business led with or without collaborators. Targeted to a single manufacturing site or data centre.
• Feasibility project costs >= £30 k, up to 12 months; Engineering studies >= £50 k, up to to 24 months.
• Aimed at businesses that use energy or produce direct emissions as a result of their industrial processes.

Knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP): 2021 to 2022, round 2

• Standard KTP scheme. Comprehensive application process.
• Typically project costs are expected to be £75 k per annum, part of this expected to be funded by the business partner; 12 – 36 month projects.
• Technology and Management KTPs possible.
• Opens: 05 July 2021; closes: 29 September 2021.
• View competition page. 

Clean Growth Fund

• The Clean Growth Fund (CGF) invests in the most promising and ambitious companies to provide commercialisation expertise and access to markets.
• Looking for any company with a clear and significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gases.
• Provides business support to sectors: power, buildings, transport, industry and waste.
• First round investment £500 k – £3 m 
• View competition page. 

NBIC Relevance:

Knowledge transfer partnerships:

• NBIC partners may find the KTP scheme a useful way to involve a researcher from academia in their business. This route can often lead to a recruitment opportunity, as well as improved working relationship with the researcher’s university.

IETF competitions:

• Possibility for NBIC partners to collaborate to assist with energy and process efficiencies where biofilms may be a hindrance (P, D and M).

Clean Growth Fund:

• The CGF is a route to investment capital for an early stage business with an exciting and innovative product looking for growth.

MORE INFO

Fisheries and Seafood Scheme: Closes: 31 December 2022.

• Support sustainable growth in the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors, and enhance the marine environment.
• Available to applicants whose businesses and/or vessels are registered in England.
• Open to researchers, public bodies, local authorities, new entrants or individuals – grant up to £150k
• Further information here. 

Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 Competition: EoI : total £60 m; closes: 26 July 2021.

• Aims to provide funding for projects that can help develop a wide range of innovative low-carbon hydrogen supply solutions.
• Up to £300 k available for feasibility projects, up to £10 m for near market demonstrators.
• Follows on from the first Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply Competition. The competition forms part of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP).
• A briefing event was held on 8 June 2021.
• Competition page.

Net Zero Innovation Portfolio: £1Bn Fund

• The Net Zero Innovation Portfolio provides funding for low-carbon technologies and systems to accelerate the commercialisation of low-carbon technologies systems and business models in power, buildings and industry and will help enable the UK to end its contribution to climate change.
• Competitions will be launching throughout 2021, with opportunities to apply offered through the individual competition pages here. 

Transforming Foundation Industry Investor Partner Programme

• Supports small companies to access Innovate UK R&D funding alongside investor equity investment.
• Launch event held on 23rd March see here. 
• Close date of final round 10th November 2021.

NBIC Relevance:

Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply and Net Zero Innovation:

• NBIC partners may have a contribution in one of these programmes where the management or exploitation of biofilms could provide a solution to reducing carbon (directly or indirectly) or catalysing a hydrogen production process (for example).

Fisheries and Seafood Scheme:

• Biofilms are present in many guises in the seafood and aquaculture chain, and the ability to manage them beneficially could be relevant to a project in this scheme.

Transforming Foundation Industry:

• The Foundation Industries (metals, ceramics, glass, chemicals, paper and cement) are affected by biofilms at many stages of the production process. Prevention, Detection or Management of biofilms could be contributory to the target of these projects.

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Horizon Europe is a seven year programme (2021-2027) with €95.5 bn to spend on Global challenges in health, culture, creativity, digital, climate and food, bio-economy, natural resources, agriculture and environment. The grand focus of the programme is to boost competitiveness and growth within the EU. Within the current programme, tacking climate change, with an emphasis on meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, is a priority, along with some health related ones.

Latest update:

• The UK is now able to join any Horizon Europe competition on an equal footing with European nations, including initiating and leading project bids.
• Although Horizon Europe projects are seen as working alongside, or complementing, Innovate UK funded programmes, the fact remains that Horizon Europe bids are far more complicated to assemble with considerably greater administration costs than Innovate UK bids.
• Pulling together an international team can be challenging to manage, especially for a small business.
• However, project scale is greater, as is the time allowed for bids to be prepared.
• Some calls are more competitive than others, and overall budgets are higher.
• Before embarking on an European bid, it makes good sense to take advice on whether the time spent on bidding is likely to prove cost effective.
• The National Contact Point (NCP) network is still in place from pre-Brexit days, and NCPs are available to help and guide those wanting to find out more about opportunities and participation, or lead bids into the Horizon Europe programme. There is a list of NCPs and their sectors here.

The programme is available online; it is quite a complex document. In summary, there are a number of ‘mission areas’ centred around health and issues connected with climate change and society.  Areas open at present include ‘healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters’ and ‘soil health and food’.  Open programmes at present include:

• Medical Technology and Devices: from lab to patient, now open, closes 22/9/2021;
• Energy Harvesting and Storage Technologies: now open, closes 22/9/21, and
• EIC accelerator programmes – various challenges with multiple cut-off dates

Within other specific programmes, EU4Health, Digital Europe and creative Europe will open shortly, but no specific calls are open yet. First calls for proposals are anticipated in July or August 2021. Calls with the Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) can be found here.  A useful access page for all programmes and calls can be found here. 

NBIC Relevance:

• Calls with relevance to NBIC are likely to be the healthy oceans and soil health calls.
• Medical Technology and Devices is also an area where Detection, Manage and Engineer topics could be presented.
• Collaborators from at least two other European countries are generally required, although there are online partner search portals through which small companies can advertise their skills and technology that might be taken up by other project bids, or conversely relevant partners can be contacted to add skills to a bid.
• Because of the complexity, it is recommended that support is requested early on in the bid process to identify appropriate competitions, discover partners and start the process of planning and assembling a bid.

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EPSRC: Manufacturing the future

• Support for engineering and physical sciences research looking at key challenges facing manufacturing in the UK.
• Includes chemistry and materials.
• Up to £2 m.
• Open now, no closing date 
• More info here. 

MRC: Infections and immunity programme

• Typically grants of £1 m or more for up to 5 years.
• Grants within an academic institution.
• Opens 14th June 2021, closes 8th Sept 2021 
• More info here. 

MRC: molecular and cellular medicine programme grant: Sep 2021

• Typically grants of £1 m or more for up to 5 years.
• Grants within an academic institution.
• Structure and function of molecules and complexes and the cellular environment including how biological systems respond to drugs and toxins.
• Opens 14th June 2021, closes 1st Sept 2021
• More info here. 

MRC molecular and cellular medicine partnership grant: Sep 2021

• Funding provided for up to 5 years for principal investigator and small number of co-investigators. Project partners not funded.
• Intended to establish new, high-value collaborative activities or capabilities or add value to existing grants
• Opens 14th June 2021, closes 1st Sept 2021 
• More info here. 

EPSRC: Discipline-hopping in ICT

• Relevant for researchers with non-ICT expertise looking to learn ICT research skills and apply them in their home discipline.
• 3 – 4 month support of salary and T&S at 80% FEC.
• Now open, no closing date
• More info here. 

NBIC Relevance:

• There are a number of calls open to researchers from NBIC academic partners that could support development of applications of biofilms in medicine, bioscience and manufacturing, and which might be supported by NBIC industrial partners, which could lead to innovation transfer or to knowledge transfer using one of the KTP instruments.
• The discipline hopping opportunity is included since it is an opportunity for researchers to develop their ICT skills, and perhaps become better qualified or able to work with industrial partners, perhaps through a KTP scheme.

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BBSRC: Strategic longer and larger grants: frontier bioscience 2021-2022

• Open to eligible researchers at HEIs, Research council institutes and independent research organisations.
• Grant funded, £2M+, closing date 31st Aug 2021
• More info here. 

BBSRC: Collaborating for healthy, resilient and sustainable agricultural soils

• Project focused on soil biodiversity and soil improvements; site-specific or landscape-scale ways to improve sustainability, resilience, health and productivity of soils.
• Includes biodiversity and soil health, but does not include soil organic carbon sequestration.
• £62,500 – £625,000
• Open now, closes 7th September 2021. NB pre-registration was required by 25th June.
• More info here. 

UKRI-SBE lead agency opportunity

• Collaborations between UK and US researchers in any discipline including biotech.
• Submission of EoI to NSF and UKRI for consideration.
• Maximum award £1 m, currently open, no closing date 
• More info here. 

NBIC Relevance:

• There are some open calls from BBSRC that could be relevant to NBIC academic partners, and that could be supported by NBIC industrial partners. This would give the opportunity for knowledge transfer, development of new collaborations or production of further bids for grant funding.
• The UKRI-SBE opportunity, whilst it is targeted at researchers from academic partners, is an opportunity for UK industrial partners to form partnerships and extend their networks to US research and industry.