Applications now open for the 3rd round of Proof of Concept funding

Staff at the THYME Universities can apply for up to 50K to fund proof of concept projects that address one of THYME’s three Grand Challenges areas for the regional bioeconomy.  Each project must involve a minimum of two of the THYME project universities and an industrial partner.

The projects can be up to a maximum of 12 months.

Read about previous successful THYME POC funded projects.

The THYME Project Grand Challenges are:

1.  Production of high value products from biowastes and by-products

There is an opportunity for the region to become a world leader in the conversion of bio-based waste to higher value chemicals with multi-billion pound markets.  Waste, particularly urban organic waste, is a global issue and development of technology and business models is a major opportunity for both inward investment and as an exportable capability.  The region has the science base and the industrial absorptive capacity to become a world leader in the field.

2.  Re-purposing of industrial sites for bio-based manufacturing

The THYME Project will explore opportunities to re-purpose existing industrial sites into those for processing bio-based raw materials and manufacturing bio-based products.  The region has a wide range of opportunities in this area and projects that seek to evaluate these sites and generate plans for future development are sought.

3.  Increasing productivity of bio-based processes

Innovation offers a wide range of opportunities to increase the productivity of bio-based processing, particularly by sharing technology between sectors.  The THYME Project will bring together expertise at Teesside, York and Hull to address a range of productivity bio-based processing challenges.  The opportunities for increasing productivity are extensive and include reducing waste; adding value to by-products, automating manufacturing processes; reducing energy and material inputs, developing better enzymes, vaccines, antibiotics and processing micro-organisms; adapting feedstocks and introducing one pot processes.

These Grand Challenges can include projects that support bioeconomy growth through the use of gaming, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality.

How to apply

Please fill out the application form on this webpage and return via email to: Thyme-project@york.ac.uk

Application deadline: 12 noon, Friday 6th December 2019.