Proof of concept grants now available for bioeconomy research.

THYME Project Proof of Concept Scheme

Staff at THYME universities can apply for £30 – 50K to fund proof of concept projects that address one of THYME’s four Grand Challenges.  Each project must involve a minimum of two universities and may involve all three.

The THYME Project Grand Challenges are:

1.  Production of high value products from biowastes and by-products

There is an opportunity for the region to become a world leader in the conversion of bio-based waste to higher value chemicals with multibillion pound markets.  Waste, particularly urban organic waste, is a global issue and development of technology and business models is a major opportunity for both inward investment and as an exportable capability.  The region has the science base and the industrial absorptive capacity to become a world leader in the field.

2.  Re-purposing of industrial sites for bio-based manufacturing

The THYME Project will explore opportunities to re-purpose existing industrial sites into those for processing bio-based raw materials and manufacturing bio-based products.  The region has a wide range of opportunities in this area and projects that seek to evaluate these sites and generate plans for future development are sought.

3.  Increasing productivity of bio-based processes

Innovation offers a wide range of opportunities to increase the productivity of bio-based processing, particularly by sharing technology between sectors.  The THYME Project will bring together expertise at Teesside, York and Hull to address a range of productivity bio-based processing challenges.  The opportunities for increasing productivity are extensive and include reducing waste; adding value to by-products, automating manufacturing processes; reducing energy and material inputs, developing better enzymes, vaccines, antibiotics and processing micro-organisms; adapting feedstocks and introducing one pot processes. This may include projects that support bioeconomy growth through the use of gaming, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality.

Deadline: 31st January 2019.

The funding is easy to apply for, the application form and details on how to apply can be found on the THYME website.