2023 Funding for early stage healthcare-biomedical translational projects
The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust form a consortium to advance early stage translational healthcare projects.
MRC Impact Acceleration Account 2022-25: Funding for early stage healthcare-biomedical translational projects
The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust form a consortium to advance early stage translational healthcare projects.
The MRC IAA monies received are to be used to support projects in the MRC remit (for further details please see the Guidance) to “accelerate the transition from discovery research to translational development projects by supporting preliminary work or feasibility studies to establish the viability of an approach” within a biomedical and healthcare remit. This may include technology or diagnostic assessment.
The funding will enable teams to develop a concept to a point where it is competitive enough to be used in a bid for more substantive follow on translational funding.
Due to the competitive nature of the funding and staff resources to assist researchers with the generation of their applications, please note there is a project registration deadline of Friday 26 May 2023, and preliminary draft applications must be received by your institutional professional support staff for input by Friday 9 June 2023. The final date for submission of applications is 7 July 2023.
Please get in touch with your institutional contacts listed below to receive the guidance and application forms, available from February 2023. Your project must be registered via the link provided within these documents.
Provisional timeline:
| March 2023 | Call Opens |
|---|---|
| May - June 2023 | Scheduled training sessions (please see schedule below) |
| 26 May 2023 | Deadline for applicants to register their project (via the Google form here) |
| 9 June | Deadline for receipt of draft applications |
| 7 July | Deadline for receipt of final applications |
| July - August 2023 | Review of applications |
| September 2023 | Panel Meeting |
| October 2023 | Funding decisions communicated |
Contacts
- Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
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Dr Keith Pugh, Research & Development Manager, keith.pugh1@nhs.net
Dr Gillian Gatenby, Associate Director for Research & Innovation, gillian.gatenby@nhs.net
- Sheffield Teaching Hospital Trust
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Dr Dipak Patel, Research & Innovation Manager, dipak.patel12@nhs.net
- Sheffield Hallam University
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Dr Neil Bowden, Innovation Funding Manager, n.bowden@shu.ac.uk
Georgia Hatzigiannidou, Funding Advisor, g.hatzigiannidou@shu.ac.uk
Madhuri Raju, IP & Commercialisation Manager, m.raju@shu.ac.uk
University of Sheffield
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health
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Healthcare Gateway, healthcare.gateway@sheffield.ac.uk
Jonathan Field, Knowledge Exchange Manager, j.field@sheffield.ac.uk
Nicola F Galley, Knowledge Exchange Manager, n.galley@sheffield.ac.uk
Sue Smith, Commercialisation Manager, sue.smith@sheffield.ac.uk
Alex Wilkinson, Commercialisation Manager - Insigneo, a.wilkinson@sheffield.ac.uk
- Faculty of Engineering
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Adam Bond, Knowledge Exchange Lead, a.p.bond@sheffield.ac.uk
Erica Williams, Knowledge Exchange Manager, e.williams@sheffield.ac.uk
Joe Carruthers, Commercialisation Manager, j.j.carruthers@sheffield.ac.uk
Sam Trotter, Commercialisation Officer, s.j.trotter@sheffield.ac.uk
Alex Wilkinson, Commercialisation Manager - Insigneo, alex.wilkinson@sheffield.ac.uk
- Faculty of Science
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Katie Pruszynski, Knowledge Exchange Lead, k.m.pruszynski@sheffield.ac.uk
Karim Sorefan, Knowledge Exchange Manager, k.sorefan@sheffield.ac.uk
Wendy Lawley, Knowledge Exchange Manager, w.lawley@sheffield.ac.uk
Richard Senior (Life Sciences), Commercialisation Manager, richard.senior@sheffield.ac.uk
Joe Gaunt (Physical Sciences), Commercialisation Manager, j.gaunt@sheffield.ac.uk
Training is available to support early stage biomedical-healthcare translational funding applications as follows:
- Quality management for medical technology development projects
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Date: 20 April, 9.45am-12.00pm
Location: Arts Tower, LT08
By attending this session you will learn about the principles of quality management within medical technology development programmes, and how they can be implemented in your early stage projects. Specifically we will cover:
What is a Quality Management System? Why and when is it needed? What does good practice look like for early stage research projects? How can this benefit your project? Design controls - why are they needed; practical guidance on how to develop and document your product design decisions. Application of these principles to software based products (Software as a Medical Device).Speaker: Richard Hall, facilitated by Clare Lankester
Biography: The sessions will be delivered by Richard Hall. As director of QMS Consultancy, Richard has worked in QA, QC, Development and Regulatory positions within the Medical Device and IVD industry since 1994. For 20 years he worked with multi-national organisations and now focuses on medical device start-up companies, helping them with new product development, gaining ISO 13485 certification and CE Marking their products. Richard now donates time to helping start-ups, clinicians, entrepreneurs and academics to better understand the regulatory requirements for medical devices and IVDs (including software).
Registration: To register for this event, please complete the Google Form here.
- Developing your translational funding strategy
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Date: 5 May, 2.15-4.00pm
Location: Portobello Centre, Seminar Room B59a
Abstract: In this training session we will walk you through the planning of a translational research project and how to develop your research proposal with the end in mind. We will discuss what makes a strong translational project/proposal and which common gaps/mistakes to look out for. We will guide you through the funding landscape and ‘what comes next’ after your IAA project (section 6 of application form) and link up to the other support that is available to you. As project managers on translational research projects we will also give you a whistle-stop tour on how to manage projects and what tools to use.
Speakers: Evy de Leenheer & Sabiniano Roman Regueros (Translational Project Managers)
Registration: To register for this event, please complete the Google Form here.
- Scheme overview: What makes a good application?
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Date: 10 May, 10.15am-12.00pm
Location: Arts Tower, LT02
Abstract: This presentation will give an overview of the MRC IAA scheme and provide guidance on the key aspects to focus on with regards to planning a robust project and writing a clear proposal. The guidance is directed specifically at the requirements for the MRC IAA scheme.
Speakers: Jonathan Field & Nicola Galley (Knowledge Exchange Managers)
Registration: To register for this event, please complete the Google Form here.
- Some successful approaches to medical device design
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Date: Wednesday 10 May, 2.15-4.00pm
Location: Arts Tower, LT01
Abstract: Taking a piece of academic research through to being incorporated in a medical device for launch into the clinic and onto the market is not a simple process, but it is plannable. This talk uses an established medical device process, the Biodesign Process, to illustrate the journey from academic research to full launch. The journey is non-linear and iterative. It is commonly divided into 3 phases: Identify, Invent and Implement. Each phase is broken down into greater detail and is explained in terms of the importance to you as an academic. This talk is based on the evidence-based research that shows that your chances of success at getting your research into the clinic is increased if you can have an appreciation of the full journey that will be needed.
Speaker: Edward Draper (Entrepreneur in Residence)
Biography: With over three decades’ experience in medical device and healthcare business development, Edward has a deep understanding of the sciences and manufacturing technologies in BioTech. As a Visiting Professor with the University of Sheffield, Edward supports discussions on developments and regulations associated with commercialisation of complex biomaterials with regulatory authorities (including FDA and MHRA); links to potential commercial purchasers of the technologies (including Large Corporations); advises on publication strategies that will minimise adverse effects on the value of the University’s intellectual property; and lectures on Advanced Biomaterials and their Commercialisation.
Registration: To register for this event, please complete the Google Form here.
- Regulatory considerations for your IAA application
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Abstract: An introduction to the regulatory landscape relevant to MRC IAA projects, guidance and signposting for where to access further support.
Speaker: Clare Lankester (Entrepreneur in Residence)
Biography: Clare has over 15 years’ experience in the MedTech industry, primarily developing strategy and development programmes for start-ups and SMEs. A scientist at heart, Clare is passionate about the technologies which will shape our future world and the people who make it happen. She has a strong background in medical devices, product definition, regulatory, preclinical, clinical, strategy, and fundraising. She has experience working collaboratively across industry, academia, and NHS sectors. Previous roles include commercial assessment of NHS innovations, delivery of training on innovation and regulatory affairs, and clinical trial management / CRA. Of particular personal interest to Clare are the fields of kidney research and organ transplantation and related technologies.
Registration: To register for this event, please complete the Google Form here.
- Commercialisation of medical innovations
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Date: Tuesday 16 May, 9.15am-11.00pm
Location: ICOSS Conference Room
Abstract: Between an invention and, finally, a new medical product there is a vast amount of innovation to do. Whilst the invention is important (it is the spark that enables the innovation, after all), it is not intrinsically where the true commercial value lies; that is determined by a host of other considerations, many of which can be anticipated and exploited to increase the chances of a positive commercial outcome in the longer term. In this interactive talk, Dr Michael Murray RTTP, will outline how a good idea leaves the campus and gets into the commercial world. Great emphasis will be placed on looking way beyond the "invention" at the outset, the best to understand what the related innovation process must achieve, and how to do this in the context of developing new medical interventions whether they be new drugs, biologics, medical devices, instruments, diagnostics, or enabling technology platforms. The material will cover inventions, the role of IP, how to inform market-aligned innovation and product development, and different mechanisms of the commercialisation process itself. Dr Murray will be available after the formal session if you wish to have a one-to-one conversation.
Speaker: Michael Murray (Entrepreneur in Residence)
Biography: Principal at Murray International Partners, Michael is a deal-maker and commercial intellectual property (IP) specialist who has been working in technology transfer in the biopharmaceutical industry since 1996. His clients range from universities and research institutes, through start-ups and SMEs, to mid-tier and major multinational companies. In April 2019, Michael commenced as a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Sheffield, hosted by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health. He works closely with the Sheffield Healthcare Gateway and with the Research, Partnerships and Innovation teams. As part of Michael’s role, he is delivering training which outlines how, for example, a biochemical or biological reaction in an Eppendorf tube might be turned into a globally available medicine.
Registration: To register for this event, please complete the Google Form here.
- A Practical Introduction to Healthcare Standards
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Abstract: “A Practical Introduction to Standards” is a two hour session, with two interactive activities. The session first provides an overview of the various types of standards, then focuses in on several commonly used standards in healthcare (ISO 14971,ISO 24971 and BS 62366). The aim of the session is to introduce standards in an engaging and informative way, to understand that they play a vital role in daily life and ensure patient safety. Emma will also discuss other ways BSI can support emerging research through letters of support / mentoring / standards mapping / specification development etc. The workshop is suitable for all researchers in healthcare.
Speaker: Emma Glass (University Partnerships Manager, BSI), facilitated by Clare Lankester
Registration: To register for this event, please complete the Google Form here.
Previous Panel Members
The MRC IAA panel includes expert internal and external reviewers. Previous expert reviewers have included:
External:
- Prof Edward Draper, Entrepreneur in Residence
- Dr Clare Lankester, Regulatory Expert in Residence
- Dr Andy Merritt, Director of Academic Engagement, LifeArc
- Dr Michael Murray, Entrepreneur in Residence
Internal:
- Dr Richard Mead, Faculty KE and Innovation Lead, Medicine, Dentistry & Health, University of Sheffield
- Dr Gillian Gatenby, Associate Director for Research & Innovation, Sheffield Children’s Hospital
- Prof Jon Wheat, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation, College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University
- Dr Steven Wood, Head of Scientific Computing, Sheffield Teaching Hospital