Biopronet, a BBSRC NIBB, Co-Sponsored by EPSRC

BioProNET, a BBSRC NIBB, co-sponsored by EPSRC

Operational Guidelines For Business Interaction Vouchers

Purpose of business interaction vouchers BBSRC NIBB Business Interaction Vouchers (BIV) are designed to encourage and support collaboration between academic and industrial partners within BioroNET. The vouchers will help to resource small confidence-building measures between the partners that are likely to lead to outcomes such as a longer-term relationship, an improved interaction, new research or technology transfer projects

BioProNET Aims and Objectives (For more information see http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/bbsrcnibb): BioProNET will establish an internationally-recognized, sustainable and integrated cross-disciplinary network able to address major research challenges in the area of bioprocessing for production of therapeutic and non-therapeutic biologics. Our overall objectives are to:  Provide leadership and vision to the UK academic/industrial community in the field of bioprocessing and biologics, ushering in new collaborative models to accelerate innovation and deliver change, ensuring the UK academic research agenda is world leading and the go- to place for collaborative research.  Facilitate the award of major research funding from UK and international sources in the area of industrial biotechnology and generate outputs of direct benefit to the sector.  Provide a vehicle for the delivery of Proof of Concept (PoC) studies that ultimately lead to more competitive, collaborative, cross-disciplinary and integrative research proposals to BBSRC and elsewhere. Through these and other initiatives develop industry partnerships that address the calls of the IB Catalyst fund.  Utilize BBSRC NIBB Business Interaction Vouchers to encourage and support collaboration between academic partners and industrial partners to undertake small pump-priming activities by the academic partner in areas covering the BioProNET and BBSRC NIBB scope and framework.  Create an environment promoting application of new technologies, including synthetic biology, genomics and systems biology, for the rapid, flexible, predictable (through analytics, robotics, modelling, engineering) and cost-efficient production of high value biologics.  Inspire and develop the next generation of scientists across the breath of disciplines encompassed by the network.  Consider the wider impacts of network outputs, promoting public engagement and discussion with the regulatory, environmental, economic and social science communities.

Eligibility for funding Funding is available for current BioProNET members (i.e. formally registered on the BioProNET membership list) who have shown participation in BioProNET activities and are eligible to receive BBSRC funding (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/web/FILES/Guidelines/grants‐guide.pdf).

 Academic partners that receive funding must be located within the UK  BIV funding will be considered as de minimis aid. Industrial partners should ensure they are not in breach of de minimis rules by accepting a BIV and agree this when submitting an application. Guidance on state aid rules is found at: https://www.gov.uk/state-aid Vouchers are for £5000 maximum (inclusive of VAT); there must be a contribution from an industrial partner that should be at least the value of the voucher, either in cash or an in-kind contribution.

Business interaction vouchers are to aid the academic partner who is tackling a problem that is relevant to the industrial partner. Industrial members can apply for them but they are paid in arrears to the academic that they are working with.

The funding should support a defined piece of work by an academic partner for an industrial partner. New collaborations will be prioritised for funding, but vouchers can be used to fund existing collaborations. The scope of the collaboration should fall within that of the BioProNET.

Examples of potential projects can include (but are not limited to) generating new experimental data, aiding technology transfer, solving a technological problem, adapting an existing technology for a new application.

The length of each individual project should be no more than 6 months.

Funding calls The funding call will remain open for the lifetime of the BioProNET or until all BIVs are allocated. There is a total of £200 000 available for BIV funding; 40 BIVs for allocation at £5000 each. The dates of the evaluation meetings will be advertised using the BioProNET website and email as well as other outlets to ensure wide coverage of the opportunity.

Application process Either partner can submit applications but only one form is required per project. The applicants should submit a file made on a single page of A4 single-spaced 10 point Arial text and with a 20mm margin. The key information needed, as detailed on the form, should include: 1. Organisation and department of the academic and industrial partners, together with contact details. 2. Details of the work including a public overview, the main outcomes of the work, why it is best undertaken as a partnership and how it will lay the foundation for longer-term relationships. 3. Costs that will be incurred, including how the industrial partner will contribute.

Submission Applications should be submitted by email to either of the network managers [email protected] [email protected] Applications will be acknowledged within three working days.

Evaluation process The executive group together with a representative from the management board will form an evaluation panel.

Applications will be assessed on a quarterly basis. In the case of conflict of interest, the executive group will engage the management board chair or nominee to evaluate the application.

Criteria for assessment will be: - Relevance of application to the scope of BioProNET - Quality of proposed work - Value of the clearly defined project deliverable(s) to the industrial partner - Benefit to the partnership - Value for money - Contribution of the industrial partner to the project (which can be in kind) - Potential for building longer-term relationships

Payment of awards The academic and industrial partner will agree a start date and will need to have a collaboration agreement and IP agreement in place prior to the project commencing; the network manager will check this is the case.

BioProNET will send a formal offer letter to successful applicants and the awardee will invoice BioProNET in arrears.

Reporting A project completion report should be sent to the network manager within one month of the project ending and should include key outcomes and an expenditure statement. BioProNET will not require receipts but the academic partner should keep financial records in case of an audit.

Data protection regulations Copies of proposals will be made available to the BioProNET evaluation panel, which will use information provided in the application for processing the proposal, the award of any consequential voucher, and for the payment, maintenance and review of the voucher funds. Funding comes from the BBSRC, so to meet the Research Councils’ obligations for public accountability and the dissemination of information, details of awards may also be made available on the Research Councils’ web sites and other publicly available databases, and in reports, documents and mailing lists.