Applications open for NBIC Edinburgh Innovation Voucher Scheme (UK)

The NBIC Edinburgh Innovation Voucher Scheme (delivered by NBIC at the University of Edinburgh) supports collaborative projects between NBIC academic research partners and regional companies. Vouchers are valued at up to £10,000 (exclusive of VAT) to help cover specific university project costs. The application deadline is 11 December 2026 and funded projects must finish by 31 August 2027. Opportunity at a Glance

- Opportunity name: NBIC Edinburgh Innovation Vouchers

- Funder/issuer: NBIC (University of Edinburgh)

- Type: Innovation voucher for collaborative university–industry projects

- Voucher value: Up to £10,000 per voucher (exclusive of VAT)

- Planned number of projects: Approximately 10 projects

- Eligible geography (regional catchment zone): Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the North East of England

- Application deadline: 11 December 2026 (time zone not specified in the source)

- Project end date: 31 August 2027

- Application method: Apply via the Interface Partner Portal (complete by both academic and company partners)

About the Opportunity

NBIC has launched an Innovation Voucher Scheme to foster connections between NBIC academic research partners and regional companies. The scheme supports collaborative projects that use partner university facilities and researchers. The overall goal is to fund new partnerships and/or projects focused on developing new products or services that help an industry partner innovate and grow as a business, aligned to NBIC’s biofilms strategic themes. Funding and Benefits Each voucher is worth up to £10,000 (exclusive of VAT) and is used to cover specific university costs for an academic research project. Funding supported by the voucher includes: - Buyout of research staff time - Consumables - Initial proof of concept projects - Feasibility and scoping projects - Travel costs to facilitate any necessary site visits - Travel and meeting costs for in-person visits VAT note (as stated in the source): - Vouchers are issued exclusive of VAT - The voucher value cannot be used to cover VAT - The company partner is responsible for payment of VAT

Benefits for industry partners include:

- Funding for university support to develop new innovations - Access to cutting-edge facilities and expertise via the academic partner - Introduction to the wider NBIC network of academic and industry partners, with ongoing NBIC support post-project Who Is Eligible? This opportunity is for companies and universities working together. Eligible companies

Companies must:

- Be defined as an SME (fewer than 250 employees and annual turnover under £50M) or be a large company able to make an in-kind and cash contribution to the project - Have an unmet need or new innovation relevant to biofilms - Need subject matter expertise to address that unmet need or develop the new innovation - Be interested in building an ongoing relationship with their university partner and NBIC as a whole Company contribution requirements (must be included): - If the project involves an SME: include at least an in-kind contribution from the company towards project costs - If the project involves a large company: include a contribution of equal value or higher than the voucher value, through a combination of in-kind and cash contributions Eligible universities - University partners must be NBIC academic research partners Joint eligibility requirements (both university and company)

Both partners must:

- Be located within the NBIC Edinburgh regional catchment zone: Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the North East of England

- Either:

- Not have worked together before, or - The proposal must be a new initiative (as stated in the source) Eligible Activities or Priority Areas Projects should align with one or more of NBIC’s strategic themes for Prevent, Detect, Manage and Engineer (PDME) biofilms:

- Prevent: Knowledge-based design of surfaces and materials

- Detect: Innovative sensing, tracking, and diagnostic technologies

- Manage: Control and eliminate established biofilms by using their life cycle dynamics

- Engineer: Control and direct complex microbial community processes in process applications

Why This Opportunity Matters This scheme is designed to translate biofilms-related academic expertise into industry-facing innovation. It supports collaborative work that can progress concepts such as feasibility, scoping, and proof of concept, while also enabling industry partners to access university facilities and expertise and connect with the wider NBIC network. The requirement that both partners be within NBIC Edinburgh’s regional catchment zone helps target support to companies in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the North East of England. How to Apply

- Prepare a joint application: The application form must be completed by both the academic and company partners.

- Submit via the Interface Partner Portal: All applications must be completed through the Interface Partner Portal.

- Meet the deadline: Applications are due by 11 December 2026.

- Plan the project timeline: Funded projects must finish by 31 August 2027.

Official application guidance/link (as provided): - Apply via the Interface Partner Portal: Not specified in the source beyond the instruction to use the portal.

Contact (for questions before applying):

Application Tips or Common Mistakes - Align to NBIC’s PDME biofilms themes (Prevent, Detect, Manage, Engineer). Applications should fit NBIC’s remit and clarify how the proposal matches one or more themes. - Include the required company contribution based on company size (SME in-kind; large company equal/higher than voucher value via in-kind and cash). - Confirm the partnership novelty requirement: the university and company must not have worked together before, or the project must be a new initiative. - Plan around the project end date: projects must finish by 31 August 2027. Frequently Asked Questions What is the NBIC Edinburgh Innovation Voucher Scheme? It is a voucher programme that supports collabora