Funding opportunity to support research and innovation into alternative proteins
Apply for funding to establish an Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) to support research and innovation into alternative proteins. The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £18,750,000.
This funding opportunity aims to ensure the UK capitalises on its cutting-edge research and innovation potential across the UK’s world-leading science base and alternative protein industry.
This investment from BBSRC and Innovate UK will support the development of an Alternative Proteins Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) that will bring together the community to address research and innovation challenges spanning discovery research and pre-competitive opportunities through to proof-of-concept and commercially-focused activities.
The IKC will provide a nucleating point for the emergence and further growth of the alternative protein industry in the UK. It will do this by fostering a knowledge-rich environment in which business can collaborate with academics and other businesses to create the next generation of alternative protein products and technologies as well as accelerate their exploitation as they emerge from the science base.
Scope
The Alternative Proteins IKC will span industrially relevant discovery research through to commercialisation. It will provide an opportunity for the breadth of the alternative protein research base and industrial communities, as well as broader stakeholders, to engage, collaborate, and drive the area forwards for UK competitive advantage.
It is expected that the IKC strategy and activities will encompass the following areas:
- cultivated meat
- fermentation systems for algal, bacterial, or fungal fermentation
- plant-based alternative proteins
- novel aquaculture systems
- new food production systems including insect production, seaweed cultivation, and other alternatives to traditional animal production systems
While the Alternative Proteins IKC will be expected to provide opportunities across the breadth of the alternative protein sector such as those stipulated above, it should focus on addressing specific shared research and innovation challenges.
These shared research and innovation challenges should be defined by the applicants as the strategic themes for the IKC. Examples of four broad strategic themes, along with details around the focus areas within these, are provided below.
Examples of possible strategic focus areas could include:
- ingredients or feedstocks and inputs
- production and processing
- final product development
- best practice
Please note that it is recommended that you address these broad strategic themes, however BBSRC and Innovate UK appreciate that a degree of flexibility may be required to tailor applications to a specific IKC, so the list of strategic themes above is not to be considered exhaustive.
Further details on possible focus areas within each of these example strategic themes can be seen below. The bullet points under each heading are intended to provide insight and act as a guide for applicants. An IKC would not be expected to cover all of the bullet points listed within strategic theme but would be expected to provide a continual strategic balance (as the IKC evolves) across the strategic areas identified.
Ingredients, feedstocks, and inputs for alternative proteins
- investigating and maximising the profile and functional properties of ingredients, feedstocks, and inputs
- improving analytical tools to characterise protein structure and function within different ingredients, feedstocks, and inputs
- investigating the potential to enhance the quality, consistency or value of different ingredients, feedstocks, and inputs
- exploring the environmental impact profiles of ingredients and feedstocks
Production and processing
- increasing scale-up and production capacity for alternative proteins
- maximising production, processing, and overall yields via improvements to techniques or equipment to optimise efficiency. This could include improvements to the extraction, separation, extrusion, texturizing, fermentation, and fractionation processes or other improvements which contribute to enhanced overall yield
- innovations that lead to cost reductions, including opportunities for cross-vertical integration
- exploring how to minimise the environmental impacts of alternative protein production processes by investigating circular approaches. This could include using waste streams and investigating the potential for side stream valorisation
Final product development
- developing the taste, texture, and visual profile of alternative protein products to meet consumer demand
- investigating consumer and wider acceptance of alternative protein products
- developing analytical tools and techniques to quantify the functional properties and nutritional characteristics of alternative protein products
- investigating and improving the nutritional profile of alternative protein products and their dietary impacts
- investigating and improving the safety of alternative protein products for food and feed applications
Best practice
- developing best practice and industry standards for the production of different alternative protein products
- investigating the safety and nutritional content of different alternative protein products and using these insights to inform regulators and shape policy developments
- forming standardised measures to quantify the environmental impacts or sustainability of alternative protein products through rigorous life cycle assessment and developing clear approaches to informing consumers of findings
- developing open access opportunities to share best practice within the alternative protein community
- investigating responsible innovation within the field of alternative proteins including the possible societal impacts of a shift towards more consumption of alternative protein products, their impact on the rural economy and traditional industries
Underlying these themes is a requirement to support research and innovation as well as skills and talent development across the research base and relevant industry sectors.
IKC model
The IKC model enables a focus on furthering world-leading research while also catalysing the commercialisation of emerging technologies. It creates early-stage critical mass in an area of disruptive technology and helps to establish internationally competitive research capability that is aligned to innovation-focused solutions. Based in a research organisation, an IKC is led by an expert team with an entrepreneurial perspective and strong support from industrial partners.
The IKC model:
- is a mechanism to address a market failure in a particular area and drive the transition of technologies that emerge from fundamental research towards proof-of-concept, commercialisation, and exploitation
- is an initiative cited in the UK Innovation Strategy that can “convene industry and academics to co-design, develop and drive the adoption of transformative tech”. This is achieved by creating a critical mass of innovators, led by an academic institution, which serves as the nucleating point for an emerging technology
- accelerates and promotes the exploitation of world class research and new technology by businesses in a strategically important area, building capacity and capability within the UK to deliver economic and societal benefits
- offers the opportunity to raise market awareness and the subsequent adoption of new and emerging technologies through innovation via academic and industry collaboration
- encourages the generation of new cutting-edge research knowledge through the application of technologies to new and existing challenges. An IKC can draw on technical expertise but also on research into how businesses and markets innovate, adopt, and diffuse these technologies
IKCs can be run from a single leading research organisation or by a consortium. Consortia can be composed of multiple institutions with an identified lead research organisation.
The IKC will:
- promote early commercialisation and accelerate the exploitation of world class research with the potential to bring about paradigm shifts in a broad range of market applications
- bring together the best research with the best business development, market analysis, commercialisation skills, and partnerships
- provide a flexible early commercialisation programme matched to business and market need to achieve rapid capability building
- plan to create sustainable activity beyond this period of funding, including both university and business partners, and detail plans to target additional external investment. These plans should be included in the proposal
IKC structure
A typical IKC will comprise of (but is not limited to):
- a virtual or physical centre based around a single or multiple research organisations with an identified lead research organisation
- an academic centre director with a proven track record of managing large investments and excellence within their discipline
- a broader leadership team representing the span of the research remit proposed for the IKC. It is expected this will be composed of a diverse range of academics from different career stages with a combined suitable track record, knowledge and expertise
- a management and administrative team, that should include an IKC manager and industrial engagement manager, as well as other relevant non-academic staff, to ensure effective running of the centre and coordination with external partners
- non-academic staff including coordinators, business development officers, research technical professionals, project managers, industrial liaisons, commercialisation experts, technology transfer officers, and technicians
- postdoctoral research assistants working on projects within the IKC
- appropriate advisory and governance structures, including as a minimum, an independent advisory board which should meet at least annually and include key academic, industrial, relevant policy officials, and other stakeholders. An indication of the composition of the boards and advisory structures that will be put in place will be required during the application, but provision of full and precise membership details will not be needed at the application stage
Collaboration with the wider research and innovation ecosystem
The IKC should be appropriately integrated into the wider UK research and innovation landscape, with a strong network formed and engagement plans to support the wider needs of the industry. This includes development of the pipeline of ideas from research concept to commercialisation, and the supply of skilled people into the industry, with links to existing skills and capacity development, such as doctoral training partnerships.
We encourage applications from local and regional clusters of research organisations with excellence and expertise in defined areas of academic research combined with strong links to industry.
All applications must demonstrate meaningful engagement, collaboration, and integration with project partners via a letter of support. It is expected that there will be cash and in-kind contributions from project partners and the details of these should be included in the letter of support. This is essential to maximise the short-term and long-term impacts of the IKC.
We strongly encourage engagement from other partners (for example public sector and third sector bodies and policymakers). Engagement with wider stakeholders can be indicated via letters of support.
Business organisations
Applications for the Alternative Proteins IKC must have industry support and contributions, which can be either in cash, in-kind, or a combination as part of their submission. Businesses may contribute to IKC applications as a project partner and can be named on multiple IKC applications but will be expected to specify how they will tailor their support in each application. Businesses must be a UK-based business or have UK-based research activity to be eligible for project partner status.
We encourage you to engage with industries from across the broad areas and themes outlined in the scope. Additionally, we welcome industry engagement from large multinationals through to micro-enterprises.
We also encourage collaborators from third sector organisations.
We expect the funded IKC to integrate plans of how to develop and retain intellectual property (IP) within the UK and outline how any generated IP would impact on the UK research ecosystem and broader economy. You may wish to consult the Lambert Toolkit guidance published by the Intellectual Property Office for guidance.
Duration
The duration of this award is for 60 months.
Funding available
BBSRC and Innovate UK will fund one Alternative Proteins IKC. The FEC of the Alternative Proteins IKC can be up to £18,750,000. BBSRC and Innovate UK will fund 80% of the FEC.
The BBSRC and Innovate UK funding is expected to be supplemented with the following:
- additional income from commercial activities and business partnerships directly related to the IKC
- university commitment. For example, costs of new buildings, refurbishment of existing buildings or redeployment of studentships or staff time
- involvement of other sponsors. For example, local or regional funders, trade bodies, government departments, and funding councils and charitable bodies
What we will fund
BBSRC and Innovate UK funding can be used for staff and core operating costs and collaborative programme funding. The proportionality of these funds and how this is to be used strategically by the IKC to achieve its aims is to be outlined by the IKC in the resources and costs section.
Staff and operational costs
These funds could be used for staff and operational costs during the growth period for the centre. These funds could be used to support key personnel, core facilities, and equipment. For example, an IKC might typically support the costs of:
- a centre director
- an operations director
- research staff including three to four experienced research staff, technical, and professional enabling staff
- staff supporting technology commercialisation and industrial engagement, those with expertise in marketing, business modelling, scoping applications for emergent technologies and technology development, market analysis and development, customer engagement, supply chain or manufacturing, and IP management
- enabling staff responsible for equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). For example, identifying the specific EDI challenges and barriers and developing a strategy to address these
- facility or equipment operating costs or access to key infrastructure
- development of business development skills amongst technical personnel and other personnel training
- travel
Collaborative programme funding
These funds could be used for activities that initiate, grow, and maintain collaborations with stakeholders such as:
- support business engagement in short scoping projects
- demonstration projects
- feasibility studies
- proof of concept projects
- business interaction vouchers
- secondments and staff exchanges
It is expected that these types of activities will have significant commitment, involvement, and contributions from business.
Supporting skills and talent
It is expected that a proportion of the collaborative programme funding will be used to support the development of a healthy, diverse, and inclusive skills and talent pipeline across the alternative protein community. Additionally, all people associated with the award (from researchers, research technical professionals, principal investigators, business development staff and so on) can benefit from continued professional development funds available.
You will be required to consider UK skills needs within the sector as part of your proposal. This could include the provision of skills training, upskilling, and reskilling of staff to meet specific technical needs, and the development of research technical professionals. The advancement and training of those engaged in the IKC should be considered from every career stage. Examples of activities that could be supported are:
- placements, secondments or exchanges, including those with academic institutions and businesses, public sector and third sector organisation
- development opportunities
- specific training programmes and courses
- production of training material
- workshops and conferences
BBSRC is not providing PhD studentship funding through this funding opportunity. The IKC should consider how best to engage with Doctoral Training Partnership and Collaborative Training Partnership consortia if doctoral studentships are identified as an area of strategic importance to the IKC.
We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment.
The above bullets are not exhaustive and are intended for guidance and to provide examples.
Equipment
Where possible, researchers are asked to make use of existing facilities and equipment, including those hosted at other universities. All equipment requested should be fully justified and essential to the mission of the IKC and you must follow BBSRC’s rules for requesting equipment over £10,000 in value.
For more information and guidance on equipment funding, visit Directly incurred costs.
What we will not fund
Please note that our funding will not cover buildings costs.
If your application includes international project partners or collaborators, visit UKRI’s trusted research and innovation for more information on effective international collaboration.
We are running this funding opportunity on the new UKRI Funding Service. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.
The project lead is responsible for completing the application process on the Funding Service, but we expect all team members and project partners to contribute to the application.
Only the lead research organisation can submit an application to UKRI.
To apply
Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page.
- Confirm you are the project lead.
- Sign in or create a Funding Service account. To create an account, select your organisation, verify your email address, and set a password. If your organisation is not listed, email support@funding-service.ukri.org
Please allow at least 10 working days for your organisation to be added to the Funding Service. - Answer questions directly in the text boxes. You can save your answers and come back to complete them or work offline and return to copy and paste your answers. If we need you to upload a document, follow the upload instructions in the Funding Service. All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the How to apply section on this Funding finder page.
- Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office.
- Send the completed application to your research office for checking. They will return it to you if it needs editing.
- Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI.
Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. If using visual elements, you must:
- use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words
- insert each new image onto a new line
- provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit)
- files must be smaller than 8MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format
Watch our research office webinars about the new Funding Service.
For more guidance on the Funding Service, see:
- how applicants use the Funding Service
- how research offices use the Funding Service
- how reviewers use the Funding Service
Deadline
BBSRC must receive your application by 28 February 2024 at 4.00pm UK time.
You will not be able to apply after this time.
Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.
Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.
Personal data
Processing personal data
BBSRC and Innovate UK, as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.
We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.
Publication of outcomes
BBSRC and Innovate UK, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity on our websites.
If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research.
Summary
Word limit: 550
In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application.
We may make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, so make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:
- opinion-formers
- policymakers
- the public
- the wider research community
Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of:
- context
- the challenge the project addresses
- aims and objectives
- potential applications and benefits
Core team
List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:
- project lead (PL)
- project co-lead (UK) (PcL)
- researcher co-lead (RcL)
- specialist
- grant manager
- professional enabling staff
- research and innovation associate
- technician
- visiting researcher
Only list one individual as project lead.
More information on team roles is provided below:
- project lead (PL) – this will be the centre director
- grant manager – this will be the operations director
- professional enabling staff – for example staff supporting technology commercialisation and industrial engagement, those with expertise in marketing, business modelling, scoping applications for emergent technologies and technology development, market analysis and development, customer engagement, supply chain or manufacturing and IP management
Find out more about UKRI’s core team roles in funding applications.
Application questions
Vision
Word limit: 2,000
What are you hoping to achieve with your proposed work?
In particular you need to demonstrate the ambition of the proposed research and innovation programme and the potential for its outcomes to have a transformative effect on the UK’s alternative proteins landscape.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Explain how your proposed work:
- is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the fields or areas
- has the potential to advance current understanding, or generate new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area
- is timely given current trends, context, and needs
- impacts world-leading research, society, the economy, or the environment
Within the vision section, we also expect you to:
- ensure the vision for the IKC is aligned with the purpose of the IKC investment as set out in the ‘what we are looking for’ section
- outline a clear and appropriate vision and ambition for the Alternative Proteins IKC
- identify a set of objectives that will be key to delivering your vision
- describe how your vision will enable the creation of a national centre that can position the UK as a global leader in alternative proteins. You should outline how the proposed Alternative protein IKC will bring benefits to the UK economy and the research base, address regional, national, and international strategies including those of the stakeholders involved
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Approach
Word limit: 2,500
How are you going to deliver your proposed work?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Explain how you have designed your approach so that it:
- is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives
- is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed
- uses a clearly written and transparent methodology (if applicable)
- summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed (if applicable)
- will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts
- describes how your, and if applicable your team’s, research environment (in terms of the place and relevance to the project) will contribute to the success of the work
Within the section, we also expect you to:
- provide a detailed and comprehensive five-year plan which includes milestones and key outputs in the form of a Gantt chart or similar (if the image is embedded in a document, please check the readability of the image within the read view of the application prior to submission).
- demonstrate how you will use the IKC model to provide an open and inclusive innovation platform to advance research and innovation in alternative proteins
- identify how your approach will encompass the research and innovation needs of the wider stakeholder community throughout the duration of the IKC
- detail any risk mitigation plans to ensure a cohesive national centre in alternative proteins is achieved
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Applicant and team capability to deliver
Word limit: 2,000
Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have:
- the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work
- the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work
- the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others
- contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community
Within the section, we also expect you to:
- outline relevant experience of managing large investments to drive technology development towards market applications
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
The word count for this section is 2,000 words: 1,000 words to be used for R4RI modules and, if necessary, a further 1,000 words for Additions.
Use the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you and, if relevant, your team (project and project co-leads, researchers, technicians, specialists, partners and so on) have and how this will help deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals’ specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.
Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed. Use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the UKRI guidance on R4RI. You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings:
- contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge
- the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
- contributions to the wider research and innovation community
- contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit
Additions
Provide any further details relevant to your application. This section is optional and can be up to 1,000 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences, or outputs, but you can use it to describe any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of career breaks if you wish to disclose them).
Complete this as a narrative. Do not format it like a CV.
UKRI has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new Funding Service.
For full details, see Eligibility as an individual.
Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)
Word limit: 1,000
What are the ethical or RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work? If you do not think that the proposed work raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated:
- the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations
- how you will manage these considerations
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Genetic and biological risk
Word limit: 700
Does your proposed research involve any genetic or biological risk?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
In respect of animals, plants, or microbes, are you proposing to:
- use genetic modification as an experimental tool, like studying gene function in a genetically modified organism
- release genetically modified organisms
- ultimately develop commercial and industrial genetically modified outcomes
If yes, provide the name of any required approving body and state if approval is already in place. If it is not, provide an indicative timeframe for obtaining the required approval.
Identify the organism or organisms as a plant, animal or microbe and specify the species and which of the three categories the research relates to.
Identify the genetic and biological risks resulting from the proposed research, their implications, and any mitigation you plan on taking. Assessors will want to know you have considered the risks and their implications to justify that any identified risks do not outweigh any benefits of the proposed research.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Research involving the use of animals
Word limit: 10
Does your proposed research involve the use of vertebrate animals or other organisms covered by the Animals Scientific Procedures Act?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you are proposing research that requires using animals, download and complete the Animals Scientific Procedures Act template (DOCX, 74KB), which contains all the questions relating to research using vertebrate animals or other Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulated organisms.
Save it as a PDF. The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Conducting research with animals overseas
Word limit: 10
Will any of the proposed animal research be conducted overseas?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you are proposing to conduct overseas research, it must be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with those in the UK, as in Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research, page 14.
Ensure all named applicants in the UK and overseas are aware of this requirement.
Provide a statement to confirm that:
- all named applicants are aware of the requirements and have agreed to abide by them
- this overseas research will be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with the principles of UK legislation
- the expectation set out in Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research will be applied and maintained
- appropriate national and institutional approvals are in place
Overseas studies proposing to use non-human primates, cats, dogs, equines or pigs will be assessed during NC3Rs review of research applications. Provide the required information by completing the template from the question ‘Research involving the use of animals’.
For studies involving other species, select, download, and complete the relevant Word checklist or checklists from this list:
- Additional questions on the use of rodents overseas (DOCX, 49.1KB)
- Additional questions on the use of rabbits overseas (DOCX, 49.2KB)
- Additional questions on the use of sheep overseas (DOCX, 50.9KB)
- Additional questions on the use of goats overseas (DOCX, 47.3KB)
- Additional questions on the use of pigs overseas (DOCX, 51.4KB)
- Additional questions on the use of cattle overseas (DOCX, 57.0KB)
- Additional questions on the use of Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis overseas (DOCX, 57.3KB)
Save as a PDF. If you use more than one checklist, save it as a single PDF.
The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Research involving human participation
Word limit: 700
Will the project involve the use of human subjects or their personal information?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you are proposing research that requires the involvement of human subjects, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.
Justify the number and the diversity of the participants involved, as well as any procedures.
Provide details of any areas of substantial or moderate severity of impact.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Research involving human tissues or biological samples
Word limit: 700
Does your proposed research involve the use of human tissues, or biological samples?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you are proposing work that involves human tissues or biological samples, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.
Justify the use of human tissue or biological samples specifying the nature and quantity of the material to be used and its source.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Resources and cost justification
Word limit: 2,000
What will you need to deliver your proposed work and how much will it cost?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Justify the application’s more costly resources, in particular:
- proportion of costs related to project staff and professional enabling staff costs
- proportion of costs related to collaborative programme funding
- summary of the institutional and project partner contributions, providing full details in the letters of support
- significant travel or costs related to hosting summits (but not regular travel between collaborating organisations or attending conferences)
- any equipment that will cost more than £10,000
- any consumables beyond typical requirements, or that are required in exceptional quantities
- all facilities and infrastructure costs
- all resources that have been costed as ‘Exceptions’
Assessors are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all project resources. Overall, they want you to demonstrate that there is appropriate business and academic cash and in-kind contributions to the programme and how the resources you anticipate needing for your proposed work:
- are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified
- represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes
- maximise potential outcomes and impacts
Leadership, management and governance
Word limit: 1,000
Outline how the centre will provide a nucleating point for the emergence and further growth of the alternative protein industry in the UK.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Outline the leadership, management and governance structures which will be implemented, in particular:
- how the leadership team will effectively work together to deliver the IKC vision and strategy
- provide an indication of the composition of governance structures. For example, boards and wider advisory groups that will be put in place. Give details on how appropriate representation from across the research and innovation ecosystem will be achieved noting that the provision of full and precise membership details will not be needed at the application stage
- the planned role of the proposed governance structures and reporting processes, including how the governance structure will provide guidance on the strategic direction of the IKC
- how the IKC will use appropriate governance structures to manage the deployment of the collaborative program funding to ensure maximum impact and relevance
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Institutional support and leveraging of existing investments, resources and facilities
Word limit: 1,000
How will the IKC utilise institutional support and access wider infrastructure and facilities to maximise the impact of the investment?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
- outline the level of institutional support for the IKC application and demonstrate that the level and type of support is appropriate for enabling the IKC to achieve the overarching aims of the programme
- detail how the proposed IKC will build upon existing investments and the strategic relevance of this to the IKC vision
- describe the potential for the IKC to access current infrastructure and facilities and how this will deliver against the vision and objectives for the IKC
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Partnerships and wider engagement
Word limit: 1,000
How will the IKC use existing strategic partnerships and expand its stakeholder engagement throughout the duration of the funding to deliver its vision and become a focal point for the alternative protein industry in the UK?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
- a summary of the project partner support secured so far and how strategically relevant partners from industry, academia, and the wider ecosystem will work together to support the IKC to achieve its vision through their contributions
- a plan for how the IKC will attract additional partners from across a broad range of stakeholders to ensure the IKC is a focal point for alternative protein innovation
- how the IKC will interact with regional stakeholders in the UK and internationally to achieve the vision of the IKC
- how the collaborative programme funding and wider IKC activities may be used to increase stakeholder engagement and deliver against industrially relevant research and innovation challenges
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Strategy for long term sustainability
Word limit: 1,000
Which steps will be taken to facilitate the sustainability of the IKC and enable a longer-term contribution to the alternative protein field beyond the five-year funding period.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
A strategy for sustainability, which may include:
- plans for acquiring additional funding (this can be additional UKRI funding or wider)
- plans for the provision of commercial services. For example, consultancy, advisory work and contracts, contract research, technical services, and commercialisation of facilities
- plans for how the IKC management team will create a dynamic culture that attracts staff to work in the centre and how this attracts wider stakeholders such as businesses and other academics
- plans for how the IKC could directly support businesses in the future and how the IKC would manage any associated compliance required with this approach (noting that currently funds from this opportunity cannot be used to directly cover business costs)
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Research strategy and skills training
Word limit: 1,000
How will the research strategy and skills training advance alternative protein capabilities across disciplines and sectors to deliver new knowledge, impact, and an upskilled workforce.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
- the planned research strategy and skills training provision for the IKC and how this relates to the overall vision of the IKC
- describe how the breadth of alternative protein areas outlined below will be embedded into the research strategy for the IKC:
- cultivated meat
- fermentation systems for algal, bacterial, or fungal fermentation
- plant based alternative proteins
- novel aquaculture systems
- new food production systems
- describe the balance of focus across the key themes of the IKC and outline the key scientific challenges and opportunities the IKC will initially set out to address under each:
- ingredients or feedstocks and inputs
- production and processing
- final product development
- and best practice
- any bespoke themes identified
- explain how the IKC will balance these priority areas over the lifetime of the award and how the IKC will respond to novel or emerging challenge areas
- include a skills training plan to highlight how the IKC will support the wider needs of the alternative protein industry. This training plan should look to establish the training needs within the area and indicate plans to develop training provision that will generate a supply of skilled people for the industry
- describe how the IKC expects the collaborative programme funding to be used to support the deployment of the research strategy and skills training plan
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Innovation and commercialisation strategy
Word limit: 1,000
How will the innovation and commercialisation strategy support and facilitate the commercialisation of alternative protein innovations across disciplines and sectors to deliver on the alternative proteins industry’s growth potential?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
- outline the innovation and commercialisation strategy of the IKC and how this relates to the overall vision of the IKC
- describe how the IKC will identify relevant innovation opportunities and key barriers to commercialisation across the breadth of the IKCs remit and explain how the IKC will ensure the areas identified have support from the wider stakeholder community
- describe how the IKC expects the collaborative programme funding to be used to support the deployment of the innovation and commercialisation strategy
- detail the framework that the IKC will put in place to manage intellectual assets produced as a result of work associated with the activities of the IKC, and how this relates to the innovation and commercialisation strategy of the IKC
- describe how the IKC will use market analysis and development methodologies to evaluate commercial potential across industry sectors
- outline how the IKC will capitalise on research and development assets of UK academic institutions to promote the uptake of novel science and technology by existing companies as well as the establishment, and commercial success of, new ones
- outline the ability of the IKC, in collaboration with its partners, to help develop and commercially exploit new products, processes and services in the alternative proteins sector
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Outreach, communication and access strategy
Word limit: 1,000
How will the IKC ensure that the innovations in alternative proteins supported by the centre are accessible and the impact sufficiently communicated to support the IKC in becoming a focal point for the alternative protein industry in the UK?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
- a clear outreach plan detailing the wider interactions planned to promote the activities of the IKC beyond the academic and industrial sphere which encompass the general public, consumers, regulators, and policymakers
- a communications plan to support the IKC in developing an international profile and to support the vision of the IKC becoming a global leader and focal point within the UK
- evidence of an open collaboration model which facilitates access to expertise and equipment
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the service.
Your organisation’s support
Word limit: 10
Provide details of support from your research organisation.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide a statement of support from your research organisation which confirms the organisation’s commitment to the Alternative Proteins IKC.
Due to the level of the investment BBSRC and Innovate UK require a letter of support from the Pro-Vice Chancellor or equivalent from each of the research organisations involved in the bid.
BBSRC and Innovate UK recognises that in some instances, additional information on organisational commitment may be provided by the Research Office, the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) or equivalent, or a combination of both.
You must also include the following details:
- a significant person’s name and their position, from the TTO or Research Office, or both
- office address or web link
Upload details are provided within the service on the actual application.
Project partners: letters or emails of support
Word limit: 10
Upload a single PDF containing the letters or emails of support from each partner you named in the Project Partner section.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Enter the words ‘attachment supplied’ in the text box, or if you do not have any project partners enter N/A. Each letter or email you provide should:
- confirm the partner’s commitment to the project and specify the nature of the partner’s support providing specific details.
- clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them
- describe any additional value that they bring to the project
Note businesses and other stakeholders can be named on multiple IKC applications but they will be expected to specify how they will tailor their support in each application.
Save letters or emails of support from each partner in a single PDF no bigger than 8MB. Unless specially requested, please do not include any sensitive personal data within the attachment.
For the file name, use the unique Funding Service number the system gives you when you create an application, followed by the words ‘Project partner’.
If the attachment does not meet these requirements, the application will be rejected.
The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If you do not have any project partners, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Ensure you have prior agreement from project partners so that, if you are offered funding, they will support your project as indicated in the contributions template.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Do not provide letters of support from host and project co-leads’ research organisations.
Data management and sharing
Word limit: 500
How will you manage and share data collected or acquired through the proposed research?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide a data management plan that clearly details how you will comply with UKRI’s published data sharing policy, which includes detailed guidance notes.
Facilities
Word limit: 1,000
Does your proposed research require the support and use of a facility?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you need to use a facility, follow your proposed facility’s normal access request procedures. Ensure you have prior agreement so that if you are offered funding, they will support the use of their facility on your project.
For each requested facility you will need to provide the:
- name of facility, copied and pasted from the facility information list (DOCX, 35KB)
- proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility information list
- confirmation you have their agreement where required
If you will not need to use a facility, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
References
Word limit: 1,000
List the references you have used to support your application.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Include all references in this section, not in the rest of the application questions.
You should not include any other information in this section.
We advise you not to include hyperlinks, as assessors are not obliged to access the information they lead to or consider it in their assessment of your application.
If linking to web resources, to maintain the information’s integrity, include persistent identifiers (such as digital object identifiers) where possible.
You must not include links to web resources to extend your application.
