GII Collaborative Project Fund Competition Call
The GII Collaborative Project Fund is a partnership of the QUB Agility Fund, the QUB BBSRC Impact Acceleration Account and GII Pump - Priming funds. Applications will be judged according to criteria set by these funds, as outlined below. The fund will allocate £10-£20k to each project (with a total pot of £100k in the first instance). Applications are encouraged to bring matched funding and it is suggested that Academics consider match funding from their G-accounts, where available.
The deadline for submission is Sunday, 14 January 2024.
Please ensure that you read all the information below before submitting your application, including Permitted Costs/Activity (which have been updated)
Purpose of the Competition
The intention of this internal competition is to drive impactful work based on multidisciplinary activity associated with GII, and with external partners.
From the perspective of this GII Project Call, applications must:
- be based on expertise within DSSC, CWI, and CSIT (Secure Connected Intelligence)
- collaborate with a Queen’s colleague(s) within health and agri-food themes
- Include a partner OR have a clear route to market
A portion of allocated funding will be BBSRC aligned, so there is particular opportunity in this space, however this should not preclude applications beyond the BBSRC remit https://www.ukri.org/councils/bbsrc/remit-programmes-and-priorities/
The project must be able to start reasonably quickly, and all work must be complete by 03 March 2025.
As an example, the types of project that have been funded through BBSRC IAAs include:
- Scoping Project:
The Scoping Projects award is part of the Relationships Incubator Fund which is aimed at activities that will support early findings that will help researchers build partnerships with organisations (businesses, academia, international bodies, Governments, NGOs, Policy makers) regionally, nationally or globally with which they have not previously worked or where there is an early partnership.
Scoping Projects could include preliminary fast fail/pilot investigations for the translation of research outcomes or the development of preliminary data sets to support full follow-on funding applications. Some level of matched funding is expected from partners, this can be cash/in-kind/or a combination of both. (Max. award £20K)
- Commercial Principle Push:
The Commercial Principle Push Fund allows researchers to carry out early-stage commercialisation activities essential to realising the commercial potential of biotechnology and biological science-related research. Industrial partners are not a requirement, but external validation will be sought. (Max. award £10K)
It is important to note that the purpose of any of these awards is about building collaborative relationships with partners and the impact that they can have. “Impact” is taken in its broadest sense and is wider than just looking at the financial return a project could have.
All applicants are recommended to consider Section 9 in the application form carefully (Impact Statement) and to provide a full response. In doing this, the potential reach and significance of the impact to beneficiaries should be considered. Reach can be considered in terms of the extent and diversity of the communities, environments, individuals, organisations or any other beneficiaries that have benefited or been affected. Significance can be considered in terms of the degree to which the impact has enriched, influenced, informed or changed policies, opportunities, perspectives or practices of communities, individuals or organisations.
The application process is outlined as follows:
- All applications should be registered on the Research Application System (RAS). Applicants should work with the relevant Faculty Finance Office to calculate project budgets. Please be in contact with your Faculty Finance Office at least 5 days in advance of the call deadline (Submission deadline is 14 January 2024)If you are considering an application but wish to seek some advice or a discussion before submission, please contact Louise Cushnahan. E: cushnahan@qub.ac.uk
- Please email your completed applications to iaa@qub.ac.uk
- Please use the template application form and ensure it has been signed correctly.
- Please indicate the type of project that is being applied for.
- In conjunction with the completed application form, all applications should be accompanied by a completed Innovation Disclosure form (IDF), if appropriate.
- Successful applicants will be required to provide an end of project report, and annual updates on further progress or outcomes.
- Successful applicants must abide by the Terms and Conditions of the award, which will be shared with Letter of Award.
- Please see below for eligible and non-eligible costs and activities associated with this award.
Permitted Costs/Activity:
Permitted Costs/Activity |
Detail |
---|---|
100% direct costs Engagement, knowledge exchange, training and culture change activities |
Directly incurred and directly allocated projects costs can be claimed, this includes staff time and travel and subsistence. All applications should be registered on the Research Application System (RAS). Applicants should work with the relevant Faculty Finance Office to calculate project budgets. Please be in contact with your Faculty Finance Office in advance of the call deadline. |
Non-Permitted Costs/Activity:
Activity/Cost NOT eligible |
Detail |
---|---|
New research |
New, fundamental research |
Duplication of support |
Impact activities that should already have been anticipated and supported through standard routes, e.g. impact activities costed as part of basic research proposals, CDTs Duplicate other sources of funding that can be used more appropriately for the impact activity within remit of Research Council i.e., CLASP/IPS |
Public engagement |
Non-Specific Public Engagement activities and science communication. However, IAAs will support public engagement where interaction is key to informing the research impact such as user or patient engagement as a critical pathway to achieving societal and/or economic impact |
Training |
Undergraduate activities, core PhD training including tuition or bench fees, Masters training |
IP Management |
Any costs relating to Intellectual Property protection including but not limited to registering, maintaining or supporting patents or property rights |
Equipment |
Equipment with a value of £10,000 or more |
Other |
Indirect costs or estate costs at the research organisation Contributions to KTPs |