BBSRC announce launch of Crossing Biological Membranes’ network

The BBSRC, with support from EPSRC, have committed £18M to fund 13 unique collaborative Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB).

The ‘Crossing Biological Membranes’ network hosted at The University of Sheffield fosters collaborations between academia, industry, policy makers and NGOs in order to find new approaches to tackle biological membrane research challenges, translate research and deliver key benefits in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy.

As part of the strategy to achieve these objectives the network provides Proof-of-Concept funding, Business Interaction Vouchers and is open to new members.

Funding now available

They have several types of funding available.

• Business Interaction Vouchers – BBSRC CBMNet Business Interaction Vouchers are available and provide £5,000 to be used to support collaboration between academic partners and industrial partners who are CBMNet members.
• Proof-of-Concept Funding - Calls are made for proof-of-concept funds (£5,000-£50,000 per project) to be allocated following specific competition calls and creative (sandpit style) events for CBMNet members.
• Support for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) - They provide bursaries to allow ECRs to work with academic and industrial partners and to attend and present at relevant conferences.
• Vacation scholarships - They provide scholarships for undergraduates to carry out research projects (8-10 weeks) within the CBMNet remit.   Applications from ECRs are encouraged.

All current funding opportunities can be seen here.

Upcoming events

They run a number of events throughout the year.

• Open annual network meetings - These bring together the network community for a meeting of research presentations from academics, early career researchers, proof-of-concept award holders and other network members. The meetings will also have poster sessions and hot-topic workshops.
• Industry Partnering Workshops - These themed workshops are to share knowledge and develop new ideas to solve real-world industrial problems. The main aim is to bring together new teams to bid for future IBBE funding calls.
• Academic-industrial exchanges -  These are used to support the development of new teams to transfer technologies from academia to industry and vice versa.
• Creative Events – We support proof-of-concept grants of up to £50,000 to enable multi-disciplinary collaborative teams to apply for and secure major external funding. These teams will emerge from annual themed creative events aimed at identifying innovative projects.

More information on their upcoming events can be seen here.