THE WELLCOME TRUST ISSF INWARD MOBILITY SCHEME
APPLICANT GUIDANCE
This fund supports knowledge transfer placements into the University that demonstrate
an impact on the partnering organisation and benefit to the University
PLEASE NOTE: ALL PROJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 2016.
1.0
Background
1.1
The Mobility scheme provides funding to help ensure the exploitation of the University of
Birmingham’s research and expertise in the biotechnology, biomedical and biological sciences. The
scheme operates on the principle of supporting the transfer knowledge through inward placements
to the University.
1.2
The scheme will operate until September 2016. Application deadlines are provided on the RIS
intranet pages.
1.3
These notes provide some general guidance. Further information can be found by directly
contacting Tariq Khan in Research & Innovation Services (Ext: 47093, t.khan@bham.ac.uk).
2.0
How does it work?
2.1
INWARD MOBILITY funding is provided to support the costs of supporting staff from external
organisations to complete short-term (max 3-month) placements in the University. The scheme
aims to provide flexible resources of up to £10,000 of grant funding per project to support a variety
of people and projects.
2.2
The goal of the INWARD MOBILITY scheme is to transfer knowledge through an inward placement
process and, as such, proposals for projects with the following rationales are welcome:

2.3
Enabling the results of previous/current research to be taken further towards application by
users

Addressing user organisation challenges through collaborative research

Providing user organisations with access to specialist equipment and/or skilled technicians
Funding is not intended for general provision of user advice or industrial guidance on identifying
and exploiting the results of research; ‘bridging’ of staff between posts; continuation of normal
research grants.
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3.0
Is our project eligible?
3.1
Subject Area
3.1.1
Funding for Inward Mobility projects comes from the Wellcome Trust. As such, projects must be
aligned with the strategic challenges of the Wellcome Trust.
Wellcome Trust Strategic Challenges
Maximising the health benefits of genetics and genomics
Understanding the brain
Combating infectious disease
Investigating development, ageing and chronic disease
Connecting environment, nutrition and health
3.1.4
Projects will also require match funding from University internal investments. Some examples of
these areas are listed below; however, this list is not exhaustive and prospective applicants must
discuss their projects with their Research Office and/or Directors of Research to establish strategic
fit and potential source of match funding. The signature of your College Director of Research will be
required to confirm that match funding is in place.
Birmingham Strategic Investments
Bacterial and Viral Infection
Stratified Medicine
Drug Discovery and Screening
Genetics and Personalised Medicine
Cell Therapy
Translational Inflammation
Healthy Ageing
Trauma-related research
Centre for Computational Neuroscience & Cognitive Robotics
Birmingham Fellowships
3.2
User Organisations
3.2.1
A user organisation is one which can benefit from the application of our research or expertise. This
definition is not limited to industry and includes spin-outs, government departments, the NHS,
charities and other not-for-profit organisations.
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3.3
Duration & Intensity
3.3.1
Generally, placements can be for up to 3 months in duration, with project costs up to £10,000 of
grant funding being available to support projects. However, somewhat longer periods will be
considered if the project involves substantive research.
3.3.2
Placements may be full- or part-time, but if the latter then only pro-rata funding may be awarded
in support of them. An individual on placement must spend a minimum of one day per week at the
University.
3.3.3
Any number of placements may be included in an INWARD MOBILITY proposal but the total costs
of the funding requested for any single project must not exceed £10,000 of grant funding.
3.4
Eligibility
3.4.1
Individuals completing an inward placement may be any relevant employee of a user organisation.
3.4.2
If a proposed individual completing the placement is not a UK national then visa considerations
may apply. Applicants should contact HR before applying to establish any constraints on
employment.
4.0
Who pays for what?
4.1
Inward Placements
4.1.1
For inward placement projects, the following costs may be claimed from the INWARD MOBILITY
grant:

up to 75% of the inward staff members’ salaries, exclusive of pension and NI contributions

reasonable travel and subsistence costs as necessary to support the placement.

reasonable research consumables
4.1.2
For inward placements, the User Organisation will be expected to fund:

25% or more of the of the placed individual’s salaries and 100% of their pension and NI
contributions
4.1.2
INWARD MOBILITY funds may not be used for Estates or Indirect costs associated with the
secondee(s) or for equipment costs.
4.1.3
INWARD MOBILITY funds are unable to support any costs involved in the management /supervision
of staff completing a placement.
5.0
How do we apply?
5.1
All documents referenced in this section are available on the RIS intranet pages at:
https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/finance/ris/research-funding/Managed-Calls.aspx
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5.2
Before completing an application form with a user organisation, applicants must discuss
arrangements for managing Intellectual Property and the working terms and conditions of the
placement with Tariq Khan. In some cases, a commercial agreement and a secondment agreement
will need to be in place with the User Organisation before the secondment can commence.
Applicants must speak to Tariq Khan in Research & Innovation Services to discuss commercial
arrangements before completing an application.
5.3
It is strongly recommended to contact your local Research & Knowledge Transfer Office to discuss
your proposal before submission to maximise your chances of submitting a competitive bid.
5.4
The INWARD MOBILITY application form is available on the RIS intranet page at the address
provided above.
5.5
Deadlines for applications will occur quarterly and will be published on the intranet here:
https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/finance/ris/research-funding/Managed-Calls.aspx.
5.6
Applications should be submitted
centralfunds@contacts.bham.ac.uk .
5.7
Enquiries about the application process should be directed to Tariq Khan in Research & Innovation
Services Research & Innovation Services (Ext: 47093, t.khan@bham.ac.uk).
5.8
Applications will be reviewed by a panel comprised of the following members:
5.9
electronically
by
5pm
on
20/05/15
•
Professor Malcolm Press, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Transfer
(Chair)
•
Professor John Bridgeman, Director of Research & Knowledge Transfer (EPS)
•
Dr. Lloyd Czaplewski, (Chembio Ventures)
•
Professor Tim Dafforn, Director of Knowledge Transfer (LES)
•
Professor Jon Frampton, Director of Research & Knowledge Transfer (MDS)
•
Professor Chris Miall, Director of Research (LES)
•
Neil Rawlinson, (Manufacturing Technology Centre)
to
The panel will review applications according to the following criteria:




5.10
Quality and feasibility of the proposed project
Contribution to funder and institutional research & knowledge transfer objectives and strategy
Impact on business
Benefit to the University
The decisions of the panel will be final.
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6.0
What reporting will we have to do?
6.1
A final project report will be required from all project teams, including inputs from the company
partner, within one month of project completion. Some awardees may also be required to
complete a short interim report.
6.2
A post-project follow up report will also be required one year after completion of the project.
6.3
All reporting requirements will be confirmed on award of funding.
6.4
Successful applicants may also be asked to complete a project case study.
6.5
As part of the post-project reporting, applicants may be required to take part in a review
meeting to help identify next steps and future development routes for the project.
7.0
Improving the quality of your application
7.1
To improve the quality of your application, please ensure that:
a) Your project is eligible for funding and that you have shown a clear link to previous
investment.
b) You have clearly identified a viable business partner and the letter of support reflects their
need and the contribution that they will be making to the project.
c) You have discussed your application with your Research Support Office:
- Francesco Maria Colacino, f.colacino@bham.ac.uk (x42216), EPS
Or
- Adrian Simmonds, a.c.simmonds@bham.ac.uk (x 58813), LES
Or
- Claire Fenlon c.fenlon@bham.ac.uk , (x46804), MDS
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