The Elemental Metal Hub is delighted to launch the second round of Business Interaction Vouchers (BIVs), supporting innovative collaborations between academia and industry in engineering biology for environmental processing of metals.

These vouchers provide targeted funding to help businesses and researchers work together to solve pressing environmental and resource challenges, from contaminated land remediation to industrial biotechnology in a circular economy.

About the Funding

Business Interaction Vouchers are funded through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Engineering Biology Mission Hub Programme, part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) National Engineering Biology Programme.

Projects must fall within the remit of the Engineering Biology Hub for environmental processing of metals (ELEMENTAL), supporting research and innovation across:

• Environmental metal recovery and remediation
• Sustainable metal processing
• Industrial biotechnology
• Circular economy approaches

What the Vouchers Support

BIVs are designed to encourage defined, short-term collaborative projects between:

• UK-based industrial partners, and
• Academic researchers who are members of the Elemental Metal Hub

Funding Available

• Up to £50,000 per project
• Funded at 100% full economic cost (including VAT)
• Industry contribution required: 20%-50% of grant value (cash or in-kind)

Contribution expectations:

• ~50% contribution for larger, commercially mature projects
• ~20% contribution for early-stage or exploratory projects

Why Apply?

BIVs provide industry partners with access to world-leading researchers in engineering biology, enabling collaborative solutions to environmental and metal-processing challenges.

These awards are designed as confidence-building mechanisms that:

• Deliver short-term, high-impact projects
• Build long-term academic–industry partnerships
• Strengthen knowledge exchange
• Support innovation and technology transfer
• Accelerate business growth

Eligibility & Alignment

All proposals must:

• Clearly align with the Elemental Metal Hub’s objectives
• Fall within the BBSRC remit in industrial biotechnology and engineering biology
• Demonstrate meaningful academic–industry collaboration

Current Funding Call

Application Deadline: 5pm, 29th May 2026

How to Apply:

1. Read the BIV Guidelines
2. Complete the BIV Application Form
3. Submit your application by email to: elementalmetalhub@kent.ac.uk

Your application must include:

• Completed BIV Application Form
• CV of the academic project lead
• Letter of support from the industry partner

Important Information

• BIVs are awarded through a competitive process.
• Vouchers will be redeemed by the partner research organisation.
• Early engagement and strong alignment with Elemental’s research themes are strongly encouraged.

Questions?

For further information, please contact the Elemental Hub Manager: elementalmetalhub@kent.ac.uk