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Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB)

Fostering cross disciplinary communities

Full application deadline (invite only): 16 July 2013

Summary

In association with EPSRC, TSB and the BioKTN, CIKTN and HealthKTN we wish to support a number of cross-disciplinary, community-building networks as part of its two-component strategy in supporting Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (IBBE). The expansion of IBBE approaches and expertise will underpin the development of a sustainable UK Bioeconomy with the potential to maintain future energy security, create innovative bio-based products, and increase the efficiency of a wide range of manufacturing processes, generating sustainable economic growth and creating jobs. A brief description of IBBE, as it relates to this call, is provided in the call text.

Once established, the networks will foster collaborative activities between academic researchers and business at all levels to identify and develop new approaches to tackle major research challenges and help deliver key benefits in IBBE through the application of a range of approaches, including genomic, systems and synthetic biology as well as the underpinning sciences such as biochemistry, enzymology, metabolism and microbiology. The networks will be cross-disciplinary, working across the boundaries of biology, chemistry and engineering. Participation from other disciplines including mathematics, computational modelling, environmental science, economics and social science is strongly encouraged.

Funding

Up to £15M has been allocated for this networking initiative and aims to fund approximately 10 networks of varying scales.

Aims

• To support a number of networks in industrial biotechnology and bioenergy and through them, facilitate the development of internationally competitive cross-disciplinary communities capable of undertaking innovative research and attracting further investment from UK and international sources
• To provide the resources to support proof of concept funding for a range of research projects identified by the networks, ultimately leading to more competitive, collaborative, cross-disciplinary and integrative research proposals to BBSRC and elsewhere
• To encourage the interaction between the academic research base and technology-deploying, associated value-chain and end-user businesses, promoting the translation of research particularly involving genomic, systems and synthetic biology
• To enable the supported networks to provide the leadership to develop, in collaboration with business, challenges to be addressed by the IB Catalyst fund

How to apply

The outline call is closed to applications.

For reference only: Apply by completing the outline application form (see application downloads below) and upload it to the _connect BBSRC NIBB group (see external links). For further _connect BBSRC NIBB group information see the call text download below.

Participation in the _connect BBSRC NIBB group is a prerequisite of submitting an outline application.

Application downloads

• Call text (PDF 331KB)
• Outline application form (DOC 134KB)

The 2014 IB Catalyst call

In 2014 the Networks will be followed by the launch of a BBSRC/TSB IB Catalyst that will provide funds to support major integrated research projects involving collaborations between the academic and business communities. The IB Catalyst is modelled on the MRC/TSB Biomedical Catalyst and will encourage major challenge-led research projects derived from the networking activities: the initial call will allocate funds up to a value of £25M.

Only members of the networks will be eligible to apply for funding from the IB Catalyst.

Timeline

Contact