Partnership Development Fund

Introduction:

This opportunity is underpinned by funding from the UKRI Research England funded project: Biologics Regional Innovation Technology Ecosystem (BRITE) project. The purpose of this fund is to support cross-sector fertilisation across the Biologics and biomanufacturing ecosystem within the Liverpool City region.

Within this project, funding is available for Academics (including PDRAs), Technicians and Professional staff from BRITE Universities to engage with relevant industry partners within the Biologics space.

How the fund might be used:

The objective of activities should be to increase sector porosity between academia and industry, reducing silos and raising awareness of priorities across the Biologics sector.

We define biologics as: “structurally complex and process-dependent medicinal products derived from living organisms, and used to prevent, treat, or diagnose disease.”

Researchers who work on Biologics-enabling technologies are also eligible, provided proposals can demonstrate direct linkage to biologics-specific outcomes. These likely include researchers in Computer Science (e.g. AI & Healthcare), Engineering (Medical/Lab Equipment) and Healthcare (Clinical Implementation).

Applications that do not clearly align with the Biologics sector will not be eligible for this fund.

The maximum value that can be awarded per application will be £5,000.

Staff visits to non-academic organisations:

Funding can be used to support short exploratory visits, lasting a maximum of 2-weeks. The purpose of these visits should be to observe/explore the activities, processes & priorities of relevant non-academic partners, with the aim of exploring synergies with your work within the university, promoting future collaborative partnerships.

This can be structured as a continuous engagement (e.g. for 2 full weeks) or can be regular, shorter-term periods (e.g. 1 day a week for 6 weeks). Whilst there is no limit on geographical location, applicants will need to demonstrate how their placement will benefit the Biologics ecosystem in the Liverpool City Region.

Eligible Costing:

Salary (Direct Cost Only)
Standard Travel, Accommodation & Subsistence.

Staff hosting external visitors from non-academic organisations:

Funding can be used to host relevant non-academic organisations at your university, for a maximum of 2-days. The purpose of these visits should be to showcase your work with the aim of developing future partnerships e.g. a Knowledge Transfer Partnership or grant application. This cannot be used to pay external organisations for service provision (consultancy, training, etc).

3^rd & public sector organisations are eligible.

Eligible Costing:

Catering related to networking
Standard travel & accommodation for visitor

To discuss applications or potential partners, please contact:

University of Liverpool: Alexander Osgerby (Technology Transfer Officer) – alexander.osgerby@liverpool.ac.uk
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine: Tom Vaughan (Knowledge Exchange Manager) – ke@lstmed.ac.uk
Liverpool John Moores University: Peter Leather (Innovation, IP and Commercialisation Lead) – p.leather@ljmu.ac.uk
Edge Hill University: Linda Olubajo (Business Development Manager) – Engage@edgehill.ac.uk

A minimum of three weeks is needed between application and expected delivery to allow for assessment and response to any submissions. Download the application form and scoping document for full terms and conditions.