Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Seeding Award Funding Call, which has now closed.
A primary role of the Network is to broker new partnerships and engage members who typically have not been involved in food safety research in the past. If you have a need or interest to recruit a new partner into your project proposal, please consider existing network members and/or contact the Network Management team to discuss.
We understand that a barrier to innovation can be a complex and lengthy application process. At the outset we have streamlined the amount of information needed to review projects and to broker partnerships, and for those applications that are successful, we will provide ongoing and tailored support to project teams.
To facilitate the establishment of any required collaborative agreements, our Business Development team can provide model agreements to help universities and businesses (especially small and medium-sized enterprises) to collaborate more effectively. The agreements set out a range of approaches to ownership and exploitation of IP. They are easy to modify so that the wording can be customised to reflect the deal negotiated.
If these agreements are important to facilitate the project, the partners will agree a start date and are expected to have a signed agreement in place prior to the project commencing. We reserve the right to request copies of these documents from all award holders.
As a minimum, an agreement should cover:
After a rapid review process following the deadline for applications (14 November 2023) we plan to announce successful projects by 22 November.
Applications will be made via an online application form.
Successful applicants will be notified in writing as soon as possible following the assessment meeting. Shortly after notification written award letters and grant agreements confirming the details of the award will be shared with the lead applicant for acceptance, signature and agreement between the award holding organisation (the applicant) and QIB as the awarding organisation.
At this stage we cannot commit to further funding so applications should be prepared with this in mind. However, if you identify opportunities for onwards funding to build on your proposed activities from other sources, we would welcome applications with this longer term ambition.
All awards funded through this Seeding Fund opportunity must conclude within this first funded period of the network (latest date 16 February 2024).
To inform the development and implementation of future activities in this area and ensure effective and efficient use of future resources, we require award holders to complete a light-touch project report on conclusion of their award. We also expect that all award holders will participate in activities throughout the remaining lifetime of the Network, including but not limited to Network community meetings. These events will be funded centrally by the Network and costs for attending should not be included in your application.
All data collected during the course of application will be protected in line with the BBSRC Data Protection Policy.
In addition to these data being processed to enable the assessment, award and ongoing award management process of any application to this opportunity, the BBSRC, the FSA, and QIB may use information for research related activities, including but not limited to, transfer of PoC funds, evaluation of the Network, and policy and strategy studies.
To meet UKRI obligations for public accountability and the dissemination of information, details of grants (including successful PoC awards) may also be made available on the UKRI web site and other publicly available databases, and in reports, documents and mailing lists.
Get in touch via our contact page or email us at foodsafetynetwork@quadram.ac.uk
