FAILSAFE Fungal Antimicrobial Resistance Innovations for Low & Middle Income Countries: Solutions & Access For Everyone
FAILSAFE Fungal Antimicrobial Resistance Innovations for Low & Middle Income Countries: Solutions & Access For Everyone
Do all project collaborators need to be FAILSAFE Network members?
A: No, only the lead applicant needs to be a FAILSAFE Network member. However, co-applicants are strongly encouraged to join, as membership offers significant collaboration opportunities. Members are featured in a directory to connect easily with potential partners from academia and industry, fostering valuable collaborations. Additional benefits include priority invitations to events and training, eligibility for project funding, and updates through e-newsletters. Plus, members can receive travel support. Non-members will not be supported with travel costs.
Can I apply for membership at the same time as submitting a funding application?
A: Yes, the Network can process both applications in parallel.
Is it compulsory to have a UK partner within the application collaborators?
A: No, there does not need to be a UK partner listed in the application. You must have at least 2 institutions supporting the project eg the lead and 1 co-applicant as a minimum.
Are UK government core funded institutions such as NIBSC eligible to apply?
A: Core funded institutes, such as NIBSC are eligible to apply but not as the Lead Applicant. Any funding requested must be to deliver novel research that is not covered by their core funding and applicants will need to confirm this in their application (in the justification for resources requested section of the form).
Can an investigator or an institution be a co-applicant on multiple applications?
A: An individual can apply as lead applicant or co applicant in one application but can be included as a collaborator on multiple applications. An institution can be the lead applicant institution on multiple applications (i.e. more than 2), provided that the lead investigator on each application is different, the substantive content of the application is different, and the team composition is different. We are keen to encourage new novel partnerships between diverse network members, especially those involving LMICs.
What happens if I want to apply but have already accessed FAILSAFE funding?
A. Applicants already holding FAILSAFE funding as a lead applicant may only apply as a co-applicant or collaborator on further applications.
Do you have institutions/organisations I can contact for collaborations on my project?
A: Yes, please join the FAILSAFE Network and you will gain access to the network directory which can help put you in touch with relevant organisations and institutions that you can approach. Here is the link: https://cmm-failsafe.com/become-a-member/
Can I submit the forms in my own language?
A: No, please complete all forms in English.
What do I do if I don’t have all the forms completed but need to submit before the deadline?
A: Please ensure all documentation is fully completed before submission. If, for any reason, you are unable to do so, kindly reach out to the FAILSAFE team as soon as possible (before the deadline), and we will be able to offer advice and guidance.
Where can I find a list of countries that are considered to be Low to Middle income countries (LMIC)?
A: The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries can be found here; all LMIC countries that are appear on this list are considered to be ODA eligible. The list of LMIC countries is subject to updates by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Is it compulsory for applications to to have an LMIC partner?
A: No, we will accept and consider applications without an LMIC partner. However, as our funding is Official Development Assistance, the proposed research needs to be primarily of direct benefit to LMICs. Scoring criteria to be used during peer review and funding panel stages include this as a reviewing metric. Applications that are LMIC-led and/or of direct relevance to LMICs are particularly encouraged.
Can I submit an application for a Mid to Large award without having completed the expression of interest (EOI)?
A: No, all mid to large projects must have completed the EOI and have had this approved before submitting the application form.
Do applicants and co-applicants have to be based at different institutions?
A: Yes, at least one of the co-applicants must be based at a different institution. Applications where all applicants are based at the same institution will not be accepted. Collaborative proposals involving applicants based in multiple countries are encouraged.
Do I need to have all the research governance requirements for the project already in place at the application stage (e.g. collaboration agreements, intellectual property (IP) considerations, animal licences, etc.)?
A: No, but any required research governance must be in place by the time the project starts. We are happy to provide a template collaboration agreement for use. Please contact the team on FAILSAFE@exeter.ac.uk if you would like this. Tip: Describe who owns the background and the foreground IP that is in the proposal and how foreground IP will be shared between applicants.
Does the FAILSAFE scope include the development of interventions to combat fungal disease in animals as well as humans?
A: Yes, the scope of the Network includes the development of interventions against fungal diseases in both humans and animals, however, the main focus must primarily be the impact on human health. FAILSAFE is also interested in funding projects that address the emergence and spread of AFR in both humans and animals that poses a significant threat to human health through the development of interventions against these drug-resistant pathogens.
Tip: If the proposal includes an experiment (e.g. an immunisation/challenge/protection experiment) please include a clear experimental plan and outline the key methodologies. If the proposal is evaluating samples from a survey – please state how many samples will be evaluated and their provenance and relevance to the research question.
Is collaboration from industrial partners allowed?
A. Yes. Industrial collaborations are strongly encouraged, especially where the industrial partner is able to provide match funding, or a clear route to translation of the research.
Are Early-Career-Researchers eligible to apply?
A. Yes, we absolutely encourage ECRs to apply as lead and/or co-applicants.
Is the inclusion of investigator/applicant supervision time/costs allowable?
A: For academic institutions based in the UK FAILSAFE will award funding at 100% direct costs only for seed-corn projects (up to £75,000). Mid-range projects will be funded at 80% of the full economic cost (fEC) (with the remaining 20% contribution to fEC to be covered by their institution). For all other institutions, including applicants based in industry and LMIC countries all projects will be funded at 100% fEC. Any costs requested for staff time will need to be justified within the application.
How much information is required in Section 19 of the Application Form regarding the 20% contribution to FEC for UK institutions?
A: The information needs to show that the UK institution (if applicable) is aware of the need to meet the remaining 20% of the fEC funding so that the direct costs required to deliver the project are provided to the lead applicant. This only applies to UK higher education institutions who are costing their requests for funding on an fEC basis.
Should the budget be broken down equally between all applicants in the proposal?
A: No, however proposal budgets should ensure that all partners are adequately resourced to deliver their respective contributions to the research project. Be mindful that projects requesting more than £75k will be subject to deeper scrutiny and only those with the highest likelihood of delivering AFR solutions/products will be approved – this will include the mandatory completion of an Expression of Interest form as a first stage. If funding for extra equipment is requested, this must be robustly justified.
Applicants should also ensure that they provide details in the application form of any matched funding or in-kind contributions provided in support of the project from other sources as this is key information that the Network needs to track and report on.
Do I need to complete the Due Diligence Questionnaire?
A: Yes, this is a mandatory part of the application process and is a requirement for funding. Your application cannot be accepted without this supporting document, and funding cannot be awarded without the appropriate due diligence approval from the University of Exeter.
Will I be notified if my application is deemed ineligible?
A: Yes, applications submitted by the submission deadline will undergo a screening process to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria and that all the required supporting documents requested have been provided. An email acknowledging receipt of your application and whether has been deemed ineligible will be sent by the FAILSAFE Admin Team to the email address provided within 7-14 working days of receipt.
Will I receive feedback on my proposal?
A: All eligible applications submitted by the deadline will be put forward for peer review. If your application is unsuccessful, anonymised feedback may be provided (if this reaches the panel meeting stage), upon request, to support you in improving your application in future rounds of funding.
Is reporting of outcomes (i.e. publications, awards, partnerships, tools & methods, etc.) to the FAILSAFE Admin Team mandatory?
A: Yes. Awardees are required to submit reports at the project mid and end points (e.g. 6 and 12 months for a 12-month project) for Seedcorn and approximately quarterly for mid to large projects – a reporting template will be supplied. These mandatory reports must be submitted to the FAILSAFE Admin Team as per the dates specified in the contract agreement.
What does % FTE requested mean?
A: % FTE means the full-time equivalent. It is how we will measure time each person spends on a project. So, for example, I work full time so my FTE is 1.0 (or 10% FTE). My colleague works 2 days a week, so this equates to 0.4 FTE or 40% FTE (i.e., 1 day = 0.2 FTE or 20% FTE).
Do the 2-page CVs need to be in the new UKRI narrative format, or can they be in a traditional CV format?
A: CV’s can be in any format.
Do you have any recommendations for preparing the application?
A: Help the reviewers to help you by making your application as clear as possible. Include clear statements of how the proposed work addresses the aims of FAILSAFE (how will this advance our ability to combat antifungal resistance). Clearly state the gap in knowledge/capability that the project aims to address. If there are other innovations in that space (in the pipeline or in the market) identify them and describe why your proposed work remains necessary. Make clear references to supporting data for your concept/candidate (e.g. prior publications that demonstrate efficacy) or include supporting data in the proposal. State which fungal pathogen(s) your project will focus on and why this is important in the context of AFR. Use consistent terminology throughout your application. Ask a trusted colleague to proof-read your proposal before submission.
Who do I speak to if I need support with my application or have any questions?
A: Please contact the FAILSAFE Team on FAILSAFE@exeter.ac.uk and a member of the team will be happy to help.