57
In October 2026, we announced funding for seven collaborative projects through our Industrial Challenge Response 
Fund (ICRF), awarding a total of £357,891 to support innovative solutions to major biofilm-related challenges across 
a diverse range of sectors, including energy, engineering biology, food, health, marine, personal care and water. 
The latest ICRF call attracted 15 applications across the Initial Fund and Follow-on Fund 
streams, bringing together 11 universities and 15 businesses in collaborative projects 
designed to accelerate the translation of biofilm research into real-world impact.
Following independent assessment and a competitive review process involving written evaluation, 
applicant presentations and panel discussions, NBIC has selected seven projects that will help tackle 
critical biofilm-related challenges and support the development of research-led solutions.
The funded projects demonstrate the breadth of biofilm innovation taking place across the UK and align 
with NBIC’s strategic themes to Prevent, Detect, Manage and Engineer (PDME) biofilms. Together, they 
address challenges ranging from healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance to wastewater 
treatment, sustainable manufacturing, energy production and critical infrastructure resilience.
Aligned with the UK Government’s modern industrial strategy and shaped by NBIC’s Industrial Advisory 
Board, the ICRF is designed to remove sector-specific barriers and accelerate innovation through flexible, 
industry-focused funding. The scheme supports rapid, low-risk collaboration between academia and 
industry, providing targeted investment for feasibility studies, prototyping, regulatory and intellectual 
property activities, as well as follow-on funding to help promising innovations reach key development 
milestones. By requiring private sector co-investment, the fund is designed to leverage significant additional 
industry investment while extending NBIC’s established model of bringing businesses and researchers 
together to accelerate innovation, address industry challenges and deliver solutions with lasting impact.
Industrial Challenge Response Fund
ACCELERATING BIOFILM INNOVATION ACROSS KEY UK SECTORS

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.