BBSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA)
Funding is available to support activities that are intended to accelerate or amplify the impact arising from BBSRC-related research in the following themes: 1) Market Analysis and 2) Translational Research
BBSRC have a clear vision of the strategic challenges that they wish to tackle:
- Bioscience for sustainable agriculture and food
- Bioscience for renewable resources and clean growth
- Bioscience for an integrated understanding of health
The Translational Research Office (TRO) is in receipt of funding and a top-up from the BBSRC through the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA). This scheme aims to:
- Strengthen user engagement
- Strengthen knowledge exchange
- Encourage and support translation at the earliest stages to the point of further follow-on funding; and the discovery of ingenious and pioneering approaches to impact delivery, with reduced lead time.
This call for proposals aims to identify novel technologies, knowledge and associated innovations in the Biosciences and drive their translation to associated markets, or end-point users.
Two themes have been identified as a priority through this call:
Proposals that are highly multi-disciplinary and cross-divisional are strongly encouraged to apply.
THEME 1: MARKET ANALYSIS
Projects will have likely attained some preliminary data. This funding will allow development of a clearer understanding of the commercial potential of the research through understanding of market competition. Funding could support activities such as: market analysis and assessment (potential, competition and opportunities), business modelling, engagement and establishing relationships with key industrial partners, prototype evaluation, IP searches and strengthening cases for patent protection, and development of key contacts with potential licensees or other interested parties – which would aid in understanding of project needs and requirements. Funding can be utilized to commission expert advice from sector specialists on the best commercial development strategy for a business idea. Existing research projects are likely to be characterised by a high degree of risk or uncertainty: the aim of any proposed IAA project will be to identity how to de-risk the technology and advance it closer to the point where it is suitable for support from other sources and/or commercial exploitation. These activities will strengthen a future application for follow-on funding, targeting the commercialisation of the research. Please note: funding will not support patent filing costs.
THEME 2: TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
This theme with a broader vision and greater flexibility targets the development of new technologies to the point they are suitable for follow-on support from other sources or for commercial exploitation. Projects will have underpinning basic research already completed. Funding will support the initial steps along the translational pathway based around concept and feasibility. This could include but is not limited to: feasibility validation, prototype evaluation, proof-of-concept studies, pump-priming of initial trials, scoping exercises, de-risking of technology exercises, to establish and cement relationships with collaborative partners and knowledge exchange with key external stakeholders.
The Translational Research scheme will NOT fund new basic research, but rather further develop existing or potential impact from previously funded projects.
Translational Research Funds will support direct costs only and will NOT support continuation of normal research grants or costs relating to the protection of intellectual property.
Awarded proposals must be able to commence by Monday 2 October 2023.
Format and Costing
| Theme 1: Market Analysis | Theme 2: Translational Research | |
| Estimated number of projects that can be funded | 3 | 2 |
| Funding per project (approx) | Up to £20k per project | Up to £50k per project |
| Max. project duration | 6 months | 6 months |
Application and selection
The call will open on Wednesday 19 July 2023. The deadline for submitting applications for both Themes (1 and 2) is Friday 1 September 2023. Applications should complete the online application form relevant to each scheme and submit through the Internal Research Award Management System (IRAMS). IRAMS guidance notes for applicants, departmental approvers and administrators can be found on Research Support pages. Applicants are responsible for notifying their Departmental Administrators and Research Services before submitting their application. Online application via IRAMS requests the following information: Principle applicant and any co-applicants, a lay summary, a financial breakdown of your proposal and a case for support uploaded to the IRAMS application system.
Theme 1 (Market Analysis) Application Form
Theme 2 (Translational Research) Application Form
Applicants must NOT exceed the word count on the case for support form. Applicants are also requested to attach a short CV (max. 1 pages) to their application. Please note that the application form and CVs for all applicants must be consolidated into 1 PDF file which is to be uploaded and submitted via IRAMS. For applications submitted to Theme 1, any quotations and/or supporting documentation from 3rd parties/collaborators must be combined into the single PDF document.
In the case for support section in the relevant application form please include the following:
- An abstract and overview of your project
- Project objectives and proposed outcomes, including information about proposed development milestones and potential next steps following completion of the project to include for example, sources of follow-on funding, plans for commercialisation
- A timeline for the project, aligning with milestones to demonstrate that these are realistic both in terms of the objectives set and the time necessary to achieve them
- Justification for support detailing how the proposal is aligned to the remit of the call
- Details of any industrial (or other) collaboration in your project and how you envisage advancing this; for Market Analysis applications please include any details of external organisations who will support searches/report generation; a letter of support can be provided where necessary.
- Future plans: Clarity on commercialisation route, IP, and proposed follow-on funding routes
- A description of any matched funding secured (if relevant).
Applications will be reviewed by a Committee comprising a range of experts from academia, industry and administrative sectors with experience of realising impact from research. Further information on the composition of this committee will be published online in due course.
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Demonstration of added value of funding to translation of research outputs from basic programmes
- Strength of the rationale
- Quality of science
- Un-met biological need
- Future commercial opportunity
- IP position
- Likelihood of developing a full proposal to be submitted to larger follow-on funding schemes.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by week commencing Monday 25 September 2023. Please note that all awarded funds must be spent prior to 31 March 2024.
The deadline for submitting applications for both Themes (1 and 2) is Friday 1 September 2023, 12 noon.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by week commencing Monday 25 September 2023. Please note that all awarded funds must be FULLY spent prior to 31 March 2024. There is no possibility for a no-cost extension.
For further information and queries regarding this scheme, please contact either:
Applicants are strongly advised to discuss any commercialisation plans and/or arising IP with Oxford University Innovation prior to submitting their application.
CHAIR
Professor Chris Schofield (Department of Chemistry)
MEMBERS
Professor Gail Preston (Department of Plant Sciences)
Professor Francis Barr (Head of Department of Biochemistry)
Dr Nessa Carey (Entrepreneur in Residence, Medical Sciences Division)
Martin Fiennes (Oxford Science Enterprises)
Dr Murray Gardner (Head of Innovation & Business Partnerships, Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division)
Dr Richard Auburn (Principal Licensing and Ventures Manager, Oxford University Innovation Ltd.)
Secretriat
Dr Deepak Kumar (Head of the Translational Research Office (Interim), TRO)
Michelle Wilson (Translational Research Coordinator, TRO)
Deborah Thomas (Translational Research Office Administrator)