BBSRC, MRC and EPSRC are advertising a joint highlight notice in novel tools and techologies for vaccinology
Vaccine research to:
- develop tools and technologies for vaccine development
- identify new antigens for specific diseases
- take new vaccines through all stages of clinical development for human disease, and up to pre-clinical for animal diseases
forms a key part of BBSRC’s and MRC’s portfolios. Complementary to this, manufacturing research, including the development of new biomanufacturing processes, forms a key part of the EPSRC Manufacturing the Future portfolio.
MRC, in partnership with BBSRC carried out an independent, expert review of vaccines research in 2014 and BBSRC also reviewed its veterinary vaccinology portfolio. These reviews highlighted the need for continued investment in basic science underpinning vaccinology and for further development of novel tools and technologies to meet the needs for new vaccines.
There is strong vaccine-related research across the UK, with an emphasis on disease-focussed approaches, and the reviews further highlighted the opportunities for animal and human vaccinologists to work together on some of the more fundamental bioprocesses or immunological pathways, and the implementation of new, potentially generic, platform technologies.
To help address this, BBSRC, MRC and EPSRC are working together to highlight opportunities to develop new and improved vaccines.
Aim: To promote innovation in novel veterinary and medical vaccines, through the development and application of new tools and technologies.
Objectives:
- To increase competitive research in developing novel tools and technologies for vaccinology
- To stimulate innovation in vaccinology at all stages of development
- To promote a one health research ethos by bringing veterinary and medical scientists together
- To encourage research focussed on identifying prime vaccines for manufacture and developing suitable manufacturing technologies for such vaccines
- To foster partnerships between clinical human and veterinary vaccine researchers, and industry
- To develop generic platforms and technologies that will support vaccines research across diseases of both humans and animal
How to apply:
Proposals will be funded through responsive mode grants
Initially, all applicants are asked to submit a brief expression of interest (EOI) via email to vaccinology@rcuk.ac.uk by 17th September 2015, 4pm
Application downloads including Expression of interest form can be found here
Applicants will be notified by 30th October 2015
You will then be invited to submit a full application to the appropriate Council's responsive mode January/February 2016
Decisions will be announced summer 2016