University of Glasgow MRC Confidence in Concept (CiC) Fund
Call for Proposals
Deadline for proposals:
17th June 2016
Application submissions to:
mrc-cic@glasgow.ac.uk
Fund Aims and Remit
MRC wish to ensure that fundamental science is translated into new therapies, diagnostics and
medical devices. The University of Glasgow MRC Confidence in Concept (CiC) award provides us
with flexible bridge funding to support the development of projects with strong translational potential
Proposals at the chemical-biology interface are particularly encouraged; however the Review
Panel is also keen to receive proposals which offer strong translational potential more widely,
including:
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new chemical entities
all modalities of therapy and diagnostic
engineering/medical technology
bioinformatics approaches
Potential applicants should note that Confidence in Concept funding is not designed to support
fundamental/basic research activities; rather it is intended to support the further development of
more advanced discovery outcomes from such research.
MRC’s terms and conditions of award require a high level of governance in relation to the use,
management and reporting of CiC funding. To support these requirements further guidance for
applicants is provided below.
Guidance for Applicants
To merit CiC funding applicants must demonstrate their discovery research has enough pilot data to
support the underlying concept/hypothesis such that the Review Panel has confidence that the
proposal offers strong translational and tractable potential. Awarded funding should be used to
generate additional data which will more robustly establish the viability of the approach and, at the
end of CiC funding, place the project in a more competitive position to attract substantive
translational/development funding eg MRC Biomedical Catalyst: Developmental Pathway Funding
Scheme (DPFS); industry collaboration etc.
Interactions with industry are strongly encouraged. These interactions could include for example:
co-funding of projects; developing early-stage collaborations; people exchange (in either direction)
where the exchange is focused on the delivery of the project objectives. Interactions with small and
medium enterprises are particularly welcomed. Additional terms and conditions apply where industry
partners are involved. Accordingly, please contact Caroline Woodside at the earliest opportunity to
discuss projects involving industry collaborators/partners and secure guidance on how best to
expedite these relationships in line with MRC’s funding terms.
Application Process
Applicants must submit applications using the ‘Confidence in Concept Application Form’, no later
than the specified deadline. Application forms should not exceed 4 pages in total (including
figures); failure to comply with these guidelines could result in applications being returned without
review. This page restriction is essential to maintain the goodwill of our external/industry reviewers.
Financial Considerations
Whilst each project’s requirements will be different, MRC expect projects to cost in the region of
£50K-£100K with milestones and objectives completed within 6-12 months of award date.
Awards out with these thresholds will only be made in exceptional circumstances.
The MRC expect Institutions in receipt of CiC funding to find additional resources to match fund
supported projects. Accordingly, please identify what additional resources/support (in-kind or cash)
you will contribute to the project beyond that requested from the CiC fund.
Please note this funding is not intended to support:
• Entire translational projects (applicants seeking funding for entire projects are directed to the
MRC’s DPFS scheme).
• Administration costs.
• Industrial partner costs.
• Staff between posts/funding (i.e. as “bridging” funds) or PhD studentships.
• Continuation of normal research grants.
• Costs relating to protection of intellectual property.
Project applications must include well-defined (go/no-go) milestones; outcomes; and future
plans to maximise both the chance of success and the likelihood of the project attracting more
substantive translational funding.
Application Review & Assessment
Each application will be reviewed by a panel comprising internal and external members from
industry. The Review Panel will consider the following when evaluating proposals: a) viability and
tractability; b) scientific quality; c) outcome deliverables; d) potential to generate further funding; and
e) impact. Value for money/cost-effectiveness, including any match funding secured, will also be
considered.
Scoring and Assessment Criteria
Each proposal will be assessed on key criteria highlighted below. A scale of 1-5 (ie poor to
excellent) will be used to score projects.
1. Need and Solution
• Does the need exist?
• Will the planned approach meet this need?
• Will the solution have the potential to impact on health?
2. Rationale
• Does the project have strong medical/scientific rationale and tractability?
• Does the applicant have a reasonable body of evidence to support the rationale?
• Will the project objectives and outcomes provide further validation and confidence in the
concept to attract more substantive translational funding, collaboration etc?
3. Deliverability
• Is the proposed approach/project plan scientifically reasonable and achieveable within the
project timeframe and does it fit with the call criteria?
• Does the applicant/s have the necessary expertise to deliver the plan?
• Does the project plan include SMART milestones (including a summary Gantt chart) and an
estimate (%) of meeting success criteria?
• Is there an appropriate risk management strategy, including potential alternative strategies,
where project outcomes do not align with the original plan?
• Has the applicant included a forward development plan to advance the research beyond CiC
funding?
4. Resources Requested
• Are the funds requested essential; fully justified to meet the needs and delivery of the scientific
programme of work; and compliant with MRC’s terms and conditions of use?
• Does the proposal offer value for money?
• Has the applicant secured or will secure match funding (in-kind/financial)?
5. Eligibility
• Has the applicant confirmed this programme is academic-led and does not directly support an
industry-led programme or industry-associated costs?
• Has the applicant confirmed if the programme is supporting a spinout development and if so
whether or not the IP has already been in-licenced to the spinout?
• Has the applicant confirmed if there are third party collaborators or potential freedom to
operate issues due to pre-existing funding or relationships?
Post Award Requirements
• All awardees will need to complete Quarterly Reports on progress; this is necessary to
facilitate interim reporting to MRC.
• All awardees will need to complete a Project End Report to support the preparation of the final
report on outcomes to MRC.
If you have any queries regarding the funding or your application please contact Caroline Woodside.