EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account Funding scheme 2022-2025
EPSRC has awarded the University funding for impact under the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) scheme since 2012, to generate impact from our EPSRC research portfolio through a series of impact support schemes which promote wider and more effective engagement with the impact agenda. The EPSRC IAA grant is managed by the Research Strategy Office, on behalf of the Pro Vice Chancellor for Research.
The latest round of funding for 2022-2025 was awarded under the new IAA Scheme. The University’s overarching aims under this scheme are to develop:
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Entrepreneurship, technology transfer and commercialisation
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Long-term business engagement and partnerships
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Policy impact
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Social and cultural impact
EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account: Early-stage Commercialisation Fund
Calls opens: 5th June 2023
Call closes: 18th September 2023 at 16.00
Awards: Up to £100,000. Maximum duration 9 months (with a start date between 1st November 2023 and 15th January 2024)
The IAA Early-stage Commercialisation Fund aims to enhance the commercial exploitation of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) research areas. This funding helps bridge the gap between academic research and commercialisation by supporting the early stages of commercialisation of technologies, to make ideas more attractive for further commercial investment.
Please read the Guidance and assessment criteria document for full details on this call. It is also advisable reading the general IAA Terms and Conditions.
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact their departmental Knowledge Transfer Facilitator or Cambridge Enterprise for advice before submitting an application. If your department does not have a Knowledge Transfer Facilitator, please contact either the IAA team iaa@admin.cam.ac.uk or Cambridge Enterprise enquiries@enterprise.cam.ac.uk.
Application process is through our IAA Application Submission System. You’ll need:
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Outline details of the project in the IAA Application Submission System
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A completed application form, including the signature of the HoD
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A copy of the draft project costing X5 (use IAA template)
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A letter of support from any external partners (if applicable)
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Any additional documents, such as a Gantt chart showing the intended project timeline, as appropriate
Please note the submission system only accepts PDF documents
Submit your application here
For any questions regarding EPSRC IAA, please contact the IAA team at the Research Strategy Office: iaa@admin.cam.ac.uk.
Applications are welcomed from Principal Investigators and ECRs employed in any University department to develop ideas that fall within EPSRC’s remit. The project must be based on identifiable intellectual property which already exists before the start of the project which is ready for exploitation, for example a patent application or a considerable body of software. Please note that, in contrast to previous EPSRC IAAs, previous/current EPSRC funding is NOT a requirement.
Applications from Early Career Researchers with PIs as co-applicants are encouraged.
Projects should focus on formulating a robust business idea with strong potential to secure commercial support from venture capital or seed funds. Successful applications should; demonstrate the potential to significantly increase the probability of commercialisation; be based on a ‘proof-of-concept’ model and/or aim to demonstrate technical viability alongside the preparation of a robust business plan.
For eligible costs and more information please see full guidance document.