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ELEMENTAL

ELEMENTAL

  1. University of Kent
  2. ELEMENTAL
  3. Funding
    4. Business Interaction Vouchers (Round 3)

Business Interaction Vouchers (Round 3)

Up to £50,000 to Support Industry-Academic Collaboration

Do you have a technical challenge, innovation opportunity or research question that could benefit from collaboration with leading engineering biology researchers?

The Elemental Business Interaction Voucher (BIV) scheme provides funding of up to £50,000 to support short-term collaborative projects between UK businesses and academic researchers working in engineering biology for environmental processing of metals.

Funding at a glance:

  • Funding available: up to £50,000
  • Project length: Up to 12 months
  • Industry contribution: 20-50% cash or in-kind
  • Applicant type: UK businesses working with academic partners
  • Scope: Engineering Biology for metal, remediation, biotechnology and circular economy
  • Final application deadline: 5pm, 27th November 2026

Applications are welcomed before the final deadline, and will be assessed on a rolling basis upon submission. Early applications are encouraged, and funding decisions will be communicated shortly after review.

What We Fund

We support projects that align with the Elemental mission to advance sustainable metal recovery, environmental remediation, and industrial biotechnology solutions. Funding is available for a range of activities, including research, innovation, feasibility studies, and technology transfer.

Eligible projects may include:

  • Environmental metal recovery and sustainable metal processing
  • Contaminated land remediation and environmental management strategies
  • Industrial biotechnology and bio-processing technologies
  • Circular economy solutions and resource recovery approaches
  • Feasibility studies and proof-of-concept projects
  • Testing and validation of biological approaches for metal recovery
  • Laboratory evaluation of novel bio-processing methods
  • Data analysis, modelling, and technical assessments
  • Technical consultancy, problem-solving, and collaborative research
  • Technology transfer and knowledge exchange activities

For examples of previously funded projects, please see projects funded for round 1.

Not sure if your project is eligible? Get in touch to discuss your idea with our team.

Why apply?

Business Interaction Vouchers help organisations:

  • Access world-leading research expertise
  • Solve technical challenges
  • Generate new data and evidence
  • Explore innovative technologies
  • Build long-term partnerships
  • Develop future funding opportunities
  • Accelerate commercial innovation

Who can apply?

Applications must involve:

  • A UK-based business partner
  • An academic researcher eligible for BBSRC funding

Projects must demonstrate clear industrial relevance and alignment with the Elemental research programme.

What makes a strong application?

Successful projects typically:

  • Address a clearly defined industrial challenge
  • Demonstrate genuine collaboration
  • Deliver achievable outcomes
  • Offer good value for money
  • Have potential for future impact and partnership development

Industry contribution

Projects funded through the scheme require an industry contribution, which may be provided as either cash or eligible in-kind support.

As a guide, a project receiving £10,000 in grant funding would typically be expected to contribute between £2,000 and £5,000. For a £25,000 grant, the typical contribution would be £5,000 to £12,500, while a project awarded £50,000 would usually contribute between £10,000 and £25,000.

In-kind contributions may include staff time, access to specialist facilities, consumables, travel costs, data access, technical expertise, or other resources that directly support the delivery of the project.

These examples are provided as a guide, and contributions will be considered in the context of the project’s scope, objectives, and potential impact.

How to apply

  • Step 1- Review the Guidelines: Read the Business Interaction Voucher Guidelines to ensure your project meets the funding criteria.
  • Step 2- Develop your project: Identify an academic partner (or contact us for assistance) and work together to develop a collaborative project idea.
  • Step 3- Complete the application: Fill in the Application Form and prepare the following supporting documents:
    • Academic lead CV
    • Industry support letter
  • Step 4- Submit your application: Email your completed application and supporting documents to elementalmetalhub@kent.ac.uk.
    • Application deadline: 5pm, 27th November 2026

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, with funding decisions communicated following assessment. The final deadline for applications is 5pm, 27 November 2026.

Need Help?

If you would like to discuss project suitability, eligibility or finding a collaborator, contact: elementalmetalhub@kent.ac.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All named applicants must be registered members of the Elemental Hub before an application can be submitted.

Membership is free and provides access to the wider Elemental community, networking opportunities, events, funding calls and collaboration opportunities. If you are not already a member, we encourage you to register as early as possible to avoid delays in the application process.

If you are unsure whether your organisation or project team members are registered, please contact the Elemental team before submitting your application.

You need to have an academic collaborator before applying for a Business Interaction Voucher.

One of the aims of the Business Interaction Voucher scheme is to stimulate new partnerships between industry and academia. If you have a business challenge, technical problem or innovation opportunity that aligns with the Elemental mission, the Elemental team may be able to help identify relevant researchers and facilitate introductions.

We strongly encourage organisations seeking collaborators to contact us as early as possible before the application deadline to allow sufficient time for discussions and project development.

Yes. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to apply.

The scheme is designed to help businesses access specialist academic expertise, facilities and knowledge that may otherwise be difficult to access. Whether you are exploring a new idea, testing the feasibility of an innovation, addressing a technical challenge or investigating a potential commercial opportunity, SMEs are welcome to apply provided the proposed project aligns with the aims of the Elemental Hub.

Larger businesses are also eligible to participate where the proposed collaboration delivers clear industrial and societal benefits.

The Business Interaction Voucher scheme is primarily intended to support UK-based organisations and deliver benefits to the UK research and innovation ecosystem.

However, overseas companies may be considered in exceptional circumstances where a strong case can be made for their involvement. Applications involving international partners should clearly demonstrate:

  • Why the expertise, facilities or resources cannot reasonably be sourced within the UK.
  • How the collaboration supports the objectives of the Elemental Hub.
  • The benefits that will be delivered to UK research, innovation, industry or economic growth.

Yes. Industry contributions may be provided either as cash contributions or as eligible in-kind support.

Examples of in-kind contributions may include:

  • Staff time dedicated to the project.
  • Access to specialist equipment or facilities.
  • Provision of materials, samples or consumables.
  • Data sharing and technical expertise.
  • Travel and subsistence associated with project activities.

Applicants should clearly describe and, where possible, quantify the value of any in-kind contributions within their application. Contributions should be directly relevant to the proposed project and proportionate to the scale of the collaboration.

If you are unsure whether a proposed contribution is eligible, please contact the ELEMENTAL team for advice before submitting your application.

Applications must include the following documents:

1. Completed Application Form
The application form should be completed jointly by the academic and industry partners and provide details of the proposed project, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes and project costs.

2. Academic Lead CV
A short CV for the academic lead should be included to demonstrate relevant expertise, experience and capability to deliver the proposed project.

3. Industry Support Letter
A letter from the participating business confirming its commitment to the project, including details of any cash or in-kind contribution, the expected benefits of the collaboration and support for the proposed activities.

Please ensure all required documents are submitted before the deadline. Incomplete applications may not be considered for funding.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application in advance of the deadline wherever possible to allow time to resolve any administrative issues.

Yes. We strongly encourage prospective applicants to discuss their project idea with the ELEMENTAL team before preparing a full application.

An informal discussion can help you:

  • Determine whether your idea aligns with the aims of the Business Interaction Voucher scheme.
  • Confirm eligibility requirements.
  • Identify potential academic collaborators.
  • Clarify funding rules and eligible costs.
  • Strengthen your application before submission.

You do not need a fully developed proposal to get in touch. Whether you have a well-defined project or simply an early-stage challenge you would like to explore, we are happy to discuss potential opportunities and provide guidance.

To arrange an initial conversation, please contact the ELEMENTAL team at:

elementalmetalhub@kent.ac.uk

We recommend contacting us as early as possible before the application deadline to allow sufficient time to develop a competitive proposal.