Hearing loss and biological systems: apply for business funding
The Ministry of Defence is to invest in SBRI competitions seeking new treatments for hearing loss and new materials from biological systems.
Up to £750,000 is available for proof-of-concept research into innovative uses of synthetic biology for materials such as for body armour
The Ministry of Defence’s Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) is to invest up to £1.2m million in 2 SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) competitions.
Hearing loss competition
Businesses can apply for a share of up to £500,000 in fully funded development contracts for proof-of-concept research into solutions that monitor, diagnose, treat and restore noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
Synthetic biology competition
A further £750,000 is available in fully funded business contracts for proof-of-concept research into the use of synthetic biology to develop next-generation materials that could:
- be used in body armour
- act as self-healing materials
- demonstrate improved resistance to corrosion
- act as novel adhesives
Up to £1 million will be available to develop the best ideas further in a second phase of each competition.
Information on both competitions
- both competitions are open for applications and close at 5pm on 21 April 2016
- the competitions are for 100% funded contracts and are open to all organisations that can demonstrate a route to market for their solution
- phase 1 contracts are expected to be between £50,000 and £100,000 and to last up to 9 months
- applications must be made online to CDE
- briefing events and webinars for both competitions will be held in February and March