FAQs
Following a few of the questions raised during the Applicant Briefing webinar on 2 July 2020.
Can an applicant apply more than once?
You can apply more than once, both as a lead supplier or a sub-contractor but be mindful of your capacity to deliver multiple projects concurrently if you are fortunate to be supported in multiple competitions.
Will Phase 2 be also 100% funded?
Just as in Phase 1, successful applicants to Phase 2 can recover 100% of their costs associated with delivering the R&D, without profit.
Can phase 2 funds be used to build demonstration facilities and carry out semi-commercial feasibility studies?
Demonstration facilities may be outside of the scope of the R&D here, testing environments would probably be ok though. As this is Pre-commercial Procurement applicants should be careful not to stray beyond pre-commercial R&D, although some small scale commercial feasibility work might be allowable under SBRI it would need to be considered carefully.
Can the customer be from outside the UK?
The successful projects will need to demonstrate how they will support the sustainable economic growth of the UK public sector and UK businesses, leading to the achievement of the UKs Net Zero ambitions. You would need to convince assessors that working with a customer outside the UK could help achieve this efficiently and effectively.
Can the innovation focus on business model and integration of technologies?
A compelling business model and route to market should be part of all of the successful propositions. Successful projects must have at least 50% of the contract value attributed to R&D. R&D does NOT include integration, customisation or incremental adaptations and improvements to existing products or processes
Can the prime applicant also be the potential customer i.e. different departments within the business?
This would potentially be allowable but complicated. A more compelling scenario would see an external customer engaged, capable of being a new perspective and developing the product for new customers and markets.
Can the public sector be the prime supplier?
The public sector can be the supplier but they must convince the assessors of both their intention and capability to bring the resultant product successfully to market
Can UK LLP apply or does it have to be Ltd?
Any organisation of any size in the EUEA can apply if they can demonstrate a route to market
Can you have more than one potential future customer in a collaboration?
Absolutely. The additional customer should add additional value though- perhaps a radically different perspective, or represent a different sector or market?
What if your business is not VAT registered?
You should approach this as you would any other contract- you will be asked in the finance section if you are VAT registered and you can indicate that you are not.
If you become VAT registered in Phase 2 but not phase 1 is this an issue
Phase 2 is a separate competition open only to Phase 1 participants so you will be able to apply afresh under your new VAT conditions.
We are a very early academic biotech start-up, soon to be trading. What company track record is required to apply?
Start-ups are eligible for SBRI so long as they are incorporated in some way. Track record might be less of an issue than capacity. The applicant would need to convince experienced assessors that they could lead the development of a showcase R&D project which could be upto £3m in value.
What is the best way to demonstrate customer involvement if the contract is only awarded to one business?
You might get a letter of support suggesting they will work with you informally or you could engage the end customer formally as a sub-contractor to undertake specific tasks which you have set out
What TRL start and end would be expected for Phase 1 & 2?
Phase 1 would be TRL 3 progressing through TRL 6 by the end of Phase 2
