Engineering Biology FTMA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: EngBio FTMA+ will consolidate and grow the UK strengths in Engineering Biology by providing a suite of diverse opportunities for cross-sector and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange to build an agile and porous community and maximise its potential. It will function with the primary aim of contributing to the substantial scale-up of a skilled engineering biology workforce and the cultivation of an environment which supports research, innovation, and commercialisation in engineering biology.

This collaborative FTMA round, we have established a consortium including five institutions from across the UK (John Innes Centre and the Universities of Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, and York) focussing on two key objectives: 1) to upskill and mobilise post-doctoral scientists, research technicians and technical and skills specialists (RTPs), professional services staff and academic staff in an equitable and efficient manner providing targeted training, secondments, mentoring and accreditation to both develop their careers and enhance sector porosity. 2) to foster and build collaborative partnerships within the consortium and with other academic organisations, bioscience industries, commercial start-ups, the public sector and beyond.

PRIORITY AREA: Our selected thematic priority area of Engineering Biology is one of five critical technologies highlighted in the Government's Science and Technology Framework in which the UK has chosen to build strategic advantage. Our consortium has been built around our collective strengths in this area covering a suite of research topics and expertise (Figure 1), thus acting as a firm foundation on which to build connections and share knowledge.

AWARD MANAGEMENT: The JIC, as lead institution will convene a partnership committee, which will include a representative from each partner. This committee will be responsible for choosing the projects that will receive funding and reviewing them within the criteria of the award...