Biotech funding up for grabs
21 Oct 2009
Technology Strategy Board is to manage a £2.5-million investment programme on behalf of the Government. The aim of the competition, which is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), is to encourage the development and commercial
London - The Technology Strategy Board is to manage a £2.5-million investment programme on behalf of the Government. The aim of the competition, which is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), is to encourage the development and commercialisation of innovative processes that will generate high value chemicals through industrial biotechnology.
Through the competition, which closes on 19 Nov, BIS will fund feasibility studies mainly for short-term projects, usually lasting up to six months, which are likely to cost up to £200,000. Up to 75% funding may be made available for such studies, and applications from small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) would be particularly welcomed. Applications can be made by single companies or collaborative consortia.
Key dates for the programme include a TSB briefing day at London Zoo on 6 Oct; a Chemicals Northwest Industrial Biotech event at CoEBio3, Manchester University on 8 Oct; and an open day at the National Industrial Biotechnology Facility, Wilton on 12 Oct. Registration of intent to submit is requireed by 12 Nov, with the deadline for receipt of full applications on 19 Nov. Decision to applicants is wscheduled for 18 Dec with projects due to commence in April 2010 and end by September 2010.
