UKRI is inviting applications for:
- Mission Hubs in Engineering Biology, maximum funding of £13.1 million (100% FEC) for up to 60 months, with a further £1.15 million capital equipment available per proposal
- Mission Awards in Engineering Biology, funding ranging from £0.6 million to £1.9 million (100% FEC) for up to 24 months, with a further 20% as capital per proposal
- UKRI will fund 80% of the full economic cost
Purpose
UKRI recognises the importance of engineering biology as a strategic priority for the UK and the need for a variety of interventions to support discovery research, national capability, commercialisation, industry adoption and private investment. Continued investment is required for transformative underpinning research and technology development in order to stimulate innovation to tackle major challenges such as climate change, health and energy.
Aims
This investment is anticipated to play an important part in delivering against the below aims for engineering biology in the UK, to:
- generate new knowledge from research and innovation activities
- stimulate growth of multi and interdisciplinary communities to support the future exploitation of engineering biology: increase the interdisciplinary collaborations that are fundamental to the development of new technological solutions, and to the adoption and exploitation of existing technological solutions into new sectors and markets
- increase investment and engagement with business, and increase productivity in the UK to:
- improve academic and business collaboration in the UK
- increase inward investment from manufacturers and companies
- increase job and company creation. Increase business growth and employment
- translate fundamental research and innovation for the benefit of the UK, enabling the faster development of:
- effective materials
- food
- chemicals
- energy carriers
- medicines
- therapies
- remediated environments
- deliver infrastructure benefits: Improve the capability of research and development (R&D) infrastructure, unlocking any benefits associated with this novel R&D
- enhance the UK’s research standing internationally, increasing the number of highly trained researchers attracted and retained in the UK
- deliver enhanced equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) cultural benefits to UK: introduce positive changes in EDI in research, improving the reputation of the UK and attract new talent nationally and internationally
Mission Approach
To achieve these aims we will develop foundational capability in the UK’s world class engineering biology research base which can be exploited by UK industry to accelerate the commercialisation and deployment of world leading technology. A missions-based approach will unlock the full potential of Engineering Biology in four priority areas selected through extensive stakeholder consultation as part of the National Engineering Biology Programme (NEBP), which will set inspiring and stretching targets which focus the efforts of academia, industry and other partners, on complex problems which require a coordinated approach for successful delivery.
Funding opportunity structure
There will be a single funding opportunity for proposals comprising two funding options spanning both Mission Hub and Award opportunities, with a mandatory Expression of Interest required by 5 May 2023 at 4:00pm and full applications by 19 July 2023 at 4:00pm
Applications must be demonstrably in the field of engineering biology which UKRI defines as:
- engineering biology is the application of (rigorous) engineering principles to the design and fabrication of biological components and systems, from modifications of natural systems to new forms of artificial biology. It encompasses the entire innovation ecosystem, from breakthrough synthetic biology research to translation and application.’
Each application to this funding opportunity must be focused on at least one of the following four engineering biology mission areas:
Engineering Biology for Food Systems: Delivering a more productive, sustainable and secure agriculture and food sector.
This mission will address key challenges in agriculture and food including food and nutrition security, sustainability, and resilience. It will deliver transformative solutions that enable the agri-food system to be more sustainable, productive, diverse, resilient and healthy.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- developing an engineered agricultural soil microbiome to deliver more effective fertiliser uptake, plant microbial associations, resilience to heat, drought or salinity, and improved soil-based plant disease resistance
- development of sentinel plant species for production challenges such as pests and diseases and nutritional deficiency
- developing alternative protein sources, lab-grown meats and new forms of food for human health which are sustainable, healthy and safe
- supporting sustainable livestock production by developing engineered feed supplements to reduce methane emissions
Engineering Biology for Biomedicine: Delivering new therapies and diagnostics
Engineering biology will provide new biologic therapies and new diagnostic tools leading to improved human health outcomes. This mission would enable development of novel technologies and solutions, such as, engineered cells/tissues/networks and biomaterials for regenerative medicine, precision drug delivery and targeting, new classes of enzymes and drugs, novel diagnostics and advanced therapy manufacturing technologies. It will transform and enhance our toolkit by which we can diagnose, prevent and fight disease.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- exploiting engineering biology approaches for the innovation of diagnostics such as biosensors or theranostics for the real-time regulation of complex disease states redesigning the genetic code with the intention of developing new materials and functions to improve human health
- developing engineering biology approaches to dissect molecular pathways and map the relationship between genotype and phenotype to improve health
- using engineering biology, alongside regenerative biology and stem cells in approaches to develop novel technologies and solutions
Engineering Biology for Clean Growth: Delivering less carbon-intensive and more environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and supply chains.
This mission will present bio-manufacturing solutions, create sustainable and renewable supply chains, and develop efficient and smart power generation and storage solutions, increasing productivity and reducing carbon emissions. It will contribute to achieving the UK government’s ambitious net zero targets.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- producing one or more product types, including fine chemicals and chemical precursors as an alternative to petrochemical feedstocks
- establishing circular economies for key areas such as metals, plastics and textiles and creating value from waste streams
- efficient and sustainable production of biopharmaceuticals such as monoclonal antibodies, enzymes and growth factors
- developing engineered living materials with adaptive properties beneficial to the construction industry
Engineering Biology for Environmental Solutions: Supporting the diagnosis and cure of environmental issues
In this mission engineering biology technologies will be developed and applied to address challenges including bioremediation, waste management, carbon-capture, biomining, and resilient, biodiverse agri-environmental systems and ecosystems.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- improving or expanding bioremediation capability of plant or microbial systems for soil, land or ecosystem restoration
- developing sentinel species for the early detection of environmental challenges such as, for example., drought, disease, toxicity
- developing solutions to invasive plant or animal pathogens, providing robust long-term resistance to new diseases.
- testing and deploying engineered biological tools for monitoring and treatment of pollutants in water systems
As described in UKRI’s Engineering Biology Overview (PDF, 103KB), both cross-cutting research and technologies and discovery-led projects are key elements of UKRI’s National Engineering Biology Programme. However, for this specific opportunity projects must positively demonstrate that they are addressing one or more of the four missions above. Projects investigating disruptive approaches with broad applicability can be considered but must have a clear line of sight to at least one mission area.
Engineering Biology Opportunities – Missions Funds
This funding will develop an integrated research and innovation programme that will generate interdisciplinary critical mass and offer skills development and expertise, secure foundational activity and drive discovery towards commercial impact. It will tackle strategic challenges aligned with the challenge areas, found below.
Applications must adopt a mission approach which provides leadership and a clear focus to support research and innovation, driving commercialisation, adoption and diffusion of engineering biology in a challenge area. Fundamental research in isolation will not be considered within scope of this funding opportunity, rather the research and innovation must be presented in a manner that demonstrates significant technological development and drives translation and commercialisation of engineering biology concepts.
Applicants will be invited to submit applications to one of two opportunities, Mission Hubs or Awards:
Hubs – maximum funding of £13.1 million at 100% FEC (£10.5 million 80% FEC) for up to 60 months. With a further £1.15 million capital equipment available per proposal
The mission hubs are significant long-term investments that will act as a beacon in the UK engineering biology landscape, providing a focal point and playing a leadership and coordination role that will deliver benefits far greater than could be achieved by individual projects alone.
A hub should drive research and innovation (existing or new and novel) towards tangible mission-oriented impacts, including both economic and societal. Fundamental research may feature as a part of the programme. However, this should not be the primary focus of any individual hub.
The hubs will be for up to five years and UKRI will award up to £10.5 million (80% FEC), with a further £1.15 million capital available per proposal. These capital funds must be spent by the recipient within the first 12 months of the award and applicants should discuss this requirement with their relevant procurement and finance officers prior to submission, particularly taking into UKRI’s guidance for applicants on costs we fund.
After 60 months, we anticipate that each hub will demonstrate impact towards the UK’s aims for engineering biology, and ultimately deliver validated processes or major platforms with multiple beneficial outcomes, making a clear difference to how technology impacts UK society. Through relevant research and innovation, translation and commercialisation activities, various outcomes and impacts are anticipated, including for example:
- the generation of intellectual property and licenced technology
- the adoption of technology and applications into industry; solutions to commercially exploit technological developments (including spin-out or start-up companies)
- creation of jobs and growth; establishment or further development of capability distributed across the UK
- attracted or increased investment into UK R&D
- other comparable outcomes
These investments will be monitored to ensure performance towards impact for the UK society and economy.
The hubs will be geographically distributed, train the next generation of innovators, and enable multiple institutions and organisations to work in collaboration.
It is anticipated that 1 60-month hub will be funded within each of the four mission areas (details above), subject to the review and assessment of the applications. In demonstrating the importance of the mission and how engineering biology can be exploited towards translation and commercialisation, we strongly encourage applications from consortia of suitable crossdisciplinary and multidisciplinary communities, seeking to work together to drive cutting-edge advances in engineering biology toward impacts in key sectors.
Collaboration and consortia formation will be crucial to the successful translation of ideas towards translation and commercialisation. Through this opportunity we anticipate that multiple partners can work towards a common focus with complementary and joined up research and innovation activities. Institutions may collaborate on more than one hub (meaning those that are not leading the hub) and single institutions applying to this opportunity must clearly demonstrate why and how the necessary collaboration and capacity building can be achieved within their own institution.
Appropriate consideration for industrial engagement and partnership on applications is anticipated, particularly on strands of research and innovation that are expected to have step-changing impact on markets and sectors. Similarly, you should factor in approaches to managing responsible research and innovation, and regulation, and should ensure that your proposed activities align with UKRI’s trusted research and innovation principles.
Consideration of the generation, diffusion and adoption of standards and metrology is encouraged where appropriate, including any suitable partnership to maximise their development and uptake:
- awards funding range from £0.6 million to £1.9 million at 100% FEC (£0.5 million to £1.5 million at 80% FEC) for up to 24 months. With a further 20% available for capital equipment available per proposal
Building on existing strengths and emerging opportunities in engineering biology, these awards will also align with the four mission areas. They are not expected to be integrated with pre-existing hubs nor affiliated with applications submitted to the hubs opportunity above, but will be expected to act as sites of distributed research and innovation excellence, exploiting the potential of engineering biology and potentially focused on growing capacity and capability, in support of the four missions.
The awards will be for up to two years and UKRI will award funding in the range of £0.5 million to £1.5 million (80% FEC), with a further 20% as capital per proposal. These capital funds must be spent by the recipient within the first 12 months of the award. Applicants should discuss this requirement with their relevant procurement and finance officers prior to submission, particularly taking into UKRI’s guidance for applicants on costs we fund.
In comparison to the 60-month hubs, it is anticipated that these 24-month awards would have a focus on shorter-term developments for engineering biology in the UK, for example, a focus on the testing of existing technological solutions in new and novel contexts, or the establishment or growth of a new or nascent community and capabilities to create a platform for future UK growth.
After 24 months, we anticipate that recipients of funding will be able to demonstrate how the outcomes from this could serve as a springboard towards future opportunities.
It is anticipated that multiple 24-month awards could be funded within each of the four challenge areas, subject to the review and assessment of the applications.
You should demonstrate the importance of the mission and how engineering biology can be exploited towards translation and commercialisation, and we strongly encourage applications from consortia of suitable crossdisciplinary and multidisciplinary communities, seeking to drive cutting-edge advances in engineering biology toward impacts in key sectors.
Similar to the model for the hubs , it is anticipated that these 24-month awards could take a variety of configurations subject to the maturity of the field.
An application focused on the establishment of a community towards a new and novel concept for engineering biology would not have the same expectations for the level of industry participation nor investment. Appropriate consideration, however, for industrial engagement and partnership on applications must be clearly demonstrated. Similarly, you should factor in approaches to managing responsible research and innovation, and regulation.
For both the hubs and mission awards:
UKRI partners will provide opportunities for the recipients of funding to form a cohort to network and disseminate the developments and impact of their research and innovation within and across the challenge areas. We anticipate that recipients of this funding will become community champions, working with UKRI and other award holders to help shape the future development of the NEBP.
Engagement, diversity, and connectivity are encouraged across and between disciplines and communities to bring about the growth of new and novel translation and commercialisation opportunities while enhancing the UK’s resilience and responsiveness for the future.
