Innovation, Impact and Knowledge Exchange (IIKE)
Proof of Concept Funding
1. What is the purpose of the Proof of Concept Fund?
1.1. The purpose of Proof of Concept funding is to support the development of commercial
ideas which are at the point where a significant difference (i.e. step change) can be made
on their route towards commercialisation and delivering impact. It aims to support those
projects already identified as having clear potential to achieve impact.
1.2. The types of activities that could be undertaken using Proof of Concept funding include:
• Technical feasibility studies and evaluation of an invention.
• Prototype design and development.
• Undertaking further scientific and technical development of an idea to improve the IP
position or allow IP to be filed.
1.3. Proof of Concept funding will only cover directly incurred costs on projects.
1.4. All potential applicants (PIs) must have an initial discussion about their project with a Faculty
KE Team member.
1.5. Applications from PIs who have had previous Proof of Concept funding will be accepted
providing these have been delivered successfully, the project meets the eligibility criteria,
and this remains the most appropriate funding for the next stage of the work.
2. Eligibility Criteria
2.1. IIKE Proof of Concept funding is available to all academic departments and research
centres.
2.2. Applications for funding will be accepted, based on a Commercial Opportunity Disclosure
(COD) already having been filed and the project being at an appropriate stage in the
University’s Commercialisation Assessment System (CAS) where the funding will achieve a
significant difference on the route towards commercialisation and delivering impact.
The Faculty KE Team and the Commercialisation Managers will work together to identify and
invite
potential candidates.
2.3. Projects do not require an external partner. However, proposals should identify any links to
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
potential industrial partners and the nature of these. Proof of Concept projects should be
treated as confidential and confidential aspects should not be discussed with external
partners without appropriate non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in place. If you wish to
discuss the project with external partners, please discuss this with your Faculty KE contact or your
Commercialisation Manager who will advise and assist with NDAs.
2.4. The ownership of all IP connected to the project must be clearly defined (for example does
a third party have any rights to the IP due to collaborative work and/or do you need to use
IP owned by a third party such as materials from a colleague in another institution in your
work) and include the details of any IP protection such as filing a patent application. The
status of any negotiations with external partners must be clearly stated.
2.5. Applications will be accepted based on the following eligibility criteria:
Eligibility Criteria
A
Need for Proof of Concept
s
funding/proposal fit
s
e
Potential impact
s
s
m
Applicants are suitable to lead the
e
project
n
t
C
r
i
t
Technology
e
r
i
a
Outcomes
Comments
• The project must centre on the development of a
piece of basic research.
• The project must match the spirit of the call.
• Proposals should demonstrate and articulate the
potential benefits to the UK economy, environment
and/or society.
The PI must:
• Be an academic member of staff employed by the
University of Sheffield.
• Have the skills, experience and enthusiasm to lead
the project.
• Have the necessary time and/or researcher in post
to deliver the project.
• The PI must be able to clearly identify the problem
that the technology will solve.
• There must be a need and demand for the
technology.
• There must be potential for the project to create a
significant/step change towards taking the technology
3. A
s
s
to market.
• The technology must have strong potential for
commercial exploitation.
essment Criteria
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
Applications will be assessed against the following assessment criteria:
Assessment criteria
Comments
Weighting
%
1. Project
• Will the technology solve a problem?
proposal
• Is there an obvious need and likely demand for the
20
technology?
• Is the technology innovative?
• Are there competing technologies?
2. Project plan
• Are the objectives ‘SMART’, i.e. specific, measurable,
15
achievable, realistic and time-bound.
• Are the plan and vision clear?
• Is it clear how the project will be managed?
• Does the application demonstrate an
understanding of the market for the technology /concept?
3. Outcomes and
• Could the project deliver significant economic,
Impact.
environmental and/or societal benefits for UK
20
citizens or reach a large number of beneficiaries,
or both?
• What will be the key outcomes from the project?
• Is there a potential for a significant/step change in
ability to take this to market?
• Is there potential for high returns?
4. Follow on plan
• How will the technology be taken further?
20
• What is the likely route to market, and the next
stages of development following Proof of Concept
funding?
5. Added
• Are there any additional resources being put into
value/leverage
this project? For example, is a company
15
supporting the project?
6. Justification of
• Are the resources applied for appropriate and
costs
justified?
10
• Does this represent good value for money?
4. Eligible costs
4.1. Eligible costs include directly incurred project related costs only, i.e. salary, consumables
and expenses.
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
4.2. Proof of Concept funding will not include support for directly allocated costs, estates,
overheads or IP protection costs.
5. Application Process
5.1.
All projects must be discussed with a member of the Faculty KE Team and entered into the
Pipeline of Faculty KE activity
5.2 The faculty KE Team contact and the PI will discuss the POC proposal with a
Commercialization Manager
5.3 When planning a project please submit a realistic start date bearing in mind the assessment
time needed for the application and the financial set up for the project.
5.3. Application for Proof of Concept funding is a single stage process open to all areas of the
University. Applications can only be made via the IIKE Proof of Concept Application Form.
Application forms are available on the Research and Innovation Services website.
5.4. Applicants should aim to address the points detailed/raised in each section of the
application form and must adhere to the word count limit.
5.4. Projects must be costed via the URMS system (please see eligible costs section above).
When costing your project please enter Christine Hill as an Investigator at 0%. Select
University of Sheffield as the Sponsor, IIKE as External Collaborator and Proof of Concept as the
scheme.
5.5. One fully signed copy of the application form, and an URMS Reference must be
submitted to the Faculty KE Contact.
In the absence of a Faculty alignment please contact:
c.hill@sheffield.ac.uk
5.6. All applications will be considered by an appropriate assessment panel.
5.7. Feedback for unsuccessful applicants will be provided via the Faculty KE teams and the
Commercialisation Managers.
6. Funding and Conditions
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
6.1. Successful applicants agree to submit a final report on completion of the project.
6.2. By accepting the award, the applicants agree to engage with the Faculty KE contact and the
Research Partnerships and Engagement team in RIS in order to monitor project progress both
during the life of the project and post project.
6.4. We reserve the right to withdraw funding where there is evidence that a project is failing to
adhere to the agreed application. Similarly, funds may be recovered where these have not
been spent in accordance with the application, unless a change has been agreed in writing.
Applicants agree to comply with the University’s financial regulations
http://www.shef.ac.uk/finance/regulations.
7
Faculty KE Contacts
Faculty of
Elinor
Engineering
Noble
E: e.noble@sheffield.ac.uk
T:
0114
22
2973
4
Faculty of
Patricia
Science
Hart
E: p.hart@sheffield.ac.uk
T:
0114
22
2938
1
Faculty of
Sue
Medicine,
Smith
E:
sue.smith@sheffield.ac.uk
T:
0114
Dentistry &
22
Health
2163
4
Faculty of
Gareth
Social
Young
Science
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
E:
gareth.young@s
heffield.ac.uk
T:
0114
22
2838
9
Faculty of
Amy
Arts &
Ryall
E:a.ryall@sheffield.ac.uk
T:
0114
Humanities
22
2970
9
General
Chris
E: iaa@sheffield.ac.uk
T:
enquiries
Hill,
0114
R&IS
22
2145
6
Research &
Innovation
Services.
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
Innovation, Impact and Knowledge Exchange (IIKE)
Application for Proof of Concept Award
Project name:
Amount requested from the Fund:
1. Applicant Details
Primary Investigator:
Department:
Extension:
Email:
Departmental Administrator
2. COD Details
COD number:
Date COD submitted:
Commercialisation Manager:
3. Project Details
Do not cross-refer to web addresses or add annexes.
Proposed project start date:
Project end date:
Can this project be classed as research?
Yes/No
Is this the application of existing knowledge/the creation of new knowledge? For a
definition of research please refer to www.shef.ac.uk/ris/application/frascati
In one sentence please state clearly the concept that is to be proved during the project
Non-Confidential Summary
Please provide a short non-confidential summary of the project – this may be placed on the R&IS website if
the application is successful.
General summary of project proposal (maximum 250 words)
Describe briefly what problem will be solved, the likely need and demand for the technology, making
reference to the technology innovation and any competitive technologies.
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
Project Plan (maximum 300 words)
Present a plan for the proposed project. Include the technical and/or commercial objectives (SMART), and the
key deliverables. Include an assessment of the timelines, and how the project will be managed
Outcomes & impact (max 300 words)
What will be the key outcomes from the project? Could the project deliver significant economic,
environmental and/or societal benefits for UK citizens or reach a large number of beneficiaries, or both?
Is there a potential for a significant/step change in ability to take this to market? Is there potential for
high returns? Are there appropriate/realistic plans in place to achieve this?
Follow on Plan (maximum 300 words)
How will the technology be taken further? If this project is successful, what is your understanding of the
market and the next stages of development?
Status of the intellectual property (IP) underlying the project (maximum 100 words)
Can the IP invested in the concept be protected? What is the present IP position? How has the IP been (or
will be) protected?
Details of other support for the project
Please include details of other funding or support for the project and the status of these projects. Please give
details of any additional funding leveraged.
Justification of costs
Please provide an outline of the requested funds and describe why these are required to deliver the project
and the timescales in which they will be required
Other information (maximum 100 words)
Is there any other information you would like to provide?
4. Financial Details

The fund will cover directly incurred costs only. Projects must be costed via URMS using IIKE POC as
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
the collaborator and UoS as the Sponsor, and then the directly incurred costs entered on the table
below. When completing the URMS record please include C Hill (KE Officer) at 0% in the investigator tab.

Project consumables, equipment and travel/subsistence will be reimbursed at 100%.

Proof of Concept funding will not include support for directly allocated costs, estates, overheads or IP
protection costs.
URMS project code (For
Information Only)
Use
Details
Amount
Staff costs
Travel & subsistence
Consumables
Equipment
Other costs
Total amount requested
5. Signatures
I confirm that I wish to apply for funding from the IIKE Proof of Concept Fund. I confirm that the
information presented in the application is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Signature of Principal
Investigator:
Date:
I confirm that I support this application.
Signature of Faculty KE Contact:
Please print name
Date:
I support this application and confirm that it meets the scheme eligibility criteria.
Signature of Commercialisation
Manager:
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
Date:
I confirm that I support this application
Signature of Head of
Department:
Date:
6. Return
One fully signed copy of the application form
and an URMS Reference to your Faculty KE
Contact
For RIS Office use only
UBASE Project Fund
X/00
Authorised Budget
£
IIKE Proof of Concept guidelines December 2015
In the absence of a Faculty alignment please
contact:
c.hill@sheffield.ac.uk