Funding to initiate and strengthen existing international partnership activities, bilaterally or multilaterally, within the UKRI-BBSRC remit
Applications
Applications for the Imperial BBSRC Seed Fund are now closed.
Summary
- BBSRC has allocated the College strategic seed funding for international partnerships in biosciences and biotechnology. Aims include fostering new research directions, building interdisciplinary teams, and supporting pathways to external funding bids.
- Projects should be completed in 4 months, with budgets typically ranging from £40K-£50K. Funding must be spent by June 30, 2024, with no possibility of extension.
Background
BBSRC have awarded the College a one-off allocation of strategic seed funding to strengthen and initiate international partnerships across the BBSRC remit.
These allocations aim to provide targeted support for the biosciences and biotechnology to support engagement across the globe, including with partners in Europe as our research community re-engages fully with Horizon Europe.
Funds can be used to initiate and/or strengthen existing international partnership activities, bilaterally or multilaterally within the UKRI-BBSRC remit. In doing this BBSRC request that you are: (a) mindful of the UK Government’s Integrated Review, including the countries identified in the International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF)1; and (b) leading research nations and international organisations that offer the opportunity to advance the UK’s world class bioscience research through international collaboration.
Aims of the fund
- Foster innovation and impactful research/partnerships
- Build strong and interdisciplinary project teams
- Support external funding bids to the BBSRC and other international funders
Guidance
You will have flexibility to utilise the money within this theme for research, staff and associated activities (including travel) within UKRI-BBSRC normal grant conditions, adhering to EDI and Trusted Research and Innovation principles.
Depending on the type of award, the funding can be used for:
- travel
- overseas visits
- access to facilities not available in the UK
- workshops
- exchange of personnel e.g., post-docs, PhD students
- other activities and costs.
Projects must be completed within 4 months and have defined and realistic milestones. There is no maximum budget, but 4-month projects will typically cost £40K-£50K dependent on the activities.
The deadline for applications is CoP on Friday 26th January 2024.
| Area | Fundable (Y/N) |
|---|---|
| Limited Research Consumables | Y |
| Travel | Y |
| Accommodation | Y |
| Subsistence | Y |
| Small project-related equipment | Y |
| Student support costs (e.g., student bursaries ) | Y |
| Networking events such as workshops and seminars | Y |
| Bench fees | N |
| Indirect and estate costs | N |
| Salary costs (staff) | N |
Eligibility
Applicants must be staff with a permanent academic contract, or an independent fellow eligible to apply for external funding.
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
The College aims to be agile in allocating the funds in light of the restrictive delivery timeline. Applicants are asked to complete a short 1-page application form that outlines:
- Importance, creativity, and potential impact of the research/workshop/staff exchange and/or new partnership, emphasizing the synergy between research groups at Imperial and international partners.
- The potential for the collaboration to lead to successful joint grant application(s).
Draft/standalone costings are acceptable for submission given the timeframe; Worktribe is not required at this stage. Spend on equipment is permitted as part of this funding.
The BBSRC have requested that all awarded funding is spent and reported by 30th June 2024 with no option to extend beyond this date, outside of extenuating circumstances linked to the BBSRC public sector equality duty including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and sickness leave.
Application timeline
| Applications open | 11 January 2024 |
| Submission deadline for applications | 26 January 2024 (midnight) |
| Awards announced | 2 February 2024 |
| Projects begin | 5 February 2024 |
| All activity and spend complete | 30 June 2024 |
| Project report submitted | 31 August 2024 |
Contact Information
Imperial BBSRC Seed Fund
international.relations@imperial.ac.uk
International Relations Office
Imperial College London
Faculty Building Level 2
South Kensington Campus
London
SW7 2AZ
Tel: +44(0)20 7594 2666