Department of Trade & Industry

Biotechnology products and processes have an increasingly important role to play in ensuring that the UK enhances its industrial competitiveness and is a leader in the race for world markets. The Biotechnology Exploitation Platform Challenge (BEP Challenge) aims to anchor the benefits of publicly funded bioscience research in the UK.

It encourages syndicates of universities, academic institutions and intermediaries with complementary bioscience research to work together and build portfolios of intellectual property. Successful proposals will receive up to 50% of eligible costs for projects of up to four years. BEPs will be expected to become self-sustaining and continue without further DTI support after the project has ended. Proposals will be judged on a competitive basis. The maximum award is £400,000. Deadline: 12 noon on January 17 2001. Guidance notes and entry forms are available from the DTI by telephone or registering by email on the website.
Telephone: 0207 215 4120 Fax: 0207 215 1379