Funding Opportunities
How to access funding
We have three funding mechanisms. The third call is now open with a closing date of 16 April 2025 (at 5 pm UK time). Research across the lifecourse can be supported and for the third call we encourage applications in the following areas: preconception, pregnancy and early life; perimenopausal health and well-being; older age.
Proof of concept
PoC funds are to encourage and support collaborations between academia and industry within the remit of the i-NutriLife Hub. PoC funds will help pump-prime collaborative research projects of industry relevance that could lead to:
- A longer term relationship
- A larger funding application
- Commercial translation
- New research technology transfer projects
The maximum PoC award available is £100K, with funds awarded at 100% of the finding request. Further details of funding are described in the Guidance Document. Maximum duration is 12 months. Funding is paid to the academic institution tackling a problem of industry relevance. Matching industry contribution to funding (cash or in-kind) is required.
Business interaction voucher
BIV funds are to encourage and support collaborations between academia and industry within the remit of the i-NutriLife Hub. BIV funds will help resource small confidence building and pump priming activities of industry relevance that are likely to:
- Initiate a new collaboration
- Strengthen an existing collaboration
- Lead to a longer term relationship
- Lead to a larger funding application
- Lead to new technology transfer projects
The maximum BIV award available is £50K, with funds awarded at 100% of the finding request. Further details of funding are described in the Guidance Document. Maximum duration is 9 months. Funding is paid to the academic institution tackling a problem of industry relevance. Matching industry contribution to funding (cash or in-kind) is not required but is encouraged.n-kind) is not required but is encouraged.
Flexible mobility award
FMA funds are to encourage and support mobility between academia and industry within the remit of the i-NutriLife Hub. The awards aim to promote the movement of researchers and technicians between different research settings. Beneficiaries of FMAs can be either Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from academia wishing to undertake work in a company or a private organisation; or staff from industry (including technicians, specialists, engineers, researchers etc.) wanting to further their career progression through work experience in a public research organisation. The FMA funds will help resource such movement if it is likely to:
- Initiate a new collaboration
- Strengthen an existing collaboration
- Lead to a longer term relationship
- Lead to a funding application
- Lead to new technology transfer projects
The maximum FMA award available is £20K, with funds awarded at 100% of the funding request. Further details of funding are described in the Guidance Document. Awards include a set contribution of £3K towards the expenses of the host organisation. Maximum duration is 3 months. Funding is paid to the academic institution.duration is 3 months. Funding is paid to the academic institution.
Competition – Diet and health innovation: Early stage feasibility projects
Businesses of any size or research organisations looking for funding for early stage feasibility projects in diet and health innovation can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million funding from BBSRC and Innovate UK working with one or more of the Diet and Health OIRC Hubs. The competition closed on 8 May 2024.
Want to know more?
Want to get involved?
