Catalyst Pump-Priming Projects

Catalyst funding for pump-priming projects is available to support collaborations between Network members in bacterial vaccinology to explore new approaches and strategies to advance their vaccines in partnership with LMICs and industry, and acquire the data to support substantive funding applications.

Catalyst Pump Projects

The catalyst funds are flexible, typically up to £50,000 and expect to provide deliverables within 6 months post-award. This catalyst funding scheme prioritise projects that:

  • Facilitate onward progression of bacterial vaccines along the pipeline to licensure
  • Offer robust solutions to overcome the difficult preclinical to clinical transition
  • Advance the ability to tackle the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • Involve BactiVac partnerships, particularly new partnerships, with a long-term work plan
  • Include LMICs and/or industrial partners
  • Demonstrate a clear pathway to impact
  • Have realistic plans in place to demonstrate intellectual property (IP) has been considered
  • Include plans for achieving further substantive funding at the end of the project

How to apply

Applicants will need to be members of the Network to be eligible to apply. The allocation of funding will be decided by the Network Management Oversight Board (PDF, 207KB).

Follow us @BactiVac using the hashtag #BactiVacFunding. You can also download BactiVac Catalyst Funding flyer (PDF, 260KB) to circulate and/or display within your organisation.

Pump-priming projects supported in previous rounds of funding are highlighted in 'Funded Work'. 

Key dates

Round 7: NOW OPEN

  • Applications opened:            23 February 2023
  • Submission deadline:          18 June 2023 (23.59 hours UK time)
  • Notification of funding by:    29 September 2023
  • Funding available from:       01 October 2023
  • Projects must start by:         01 November 2023

Download the Pump-Priming Projects Application Form (DOC, 191KB)

Download the Due Diligence Questionnaire (DOC, 167KB)

Read the Pump-Priming Projects Guidance Notes (PDF, 333KB)

Read the FAQ Guide for Pump-Priming Projects (PDF, 256KB)

Read the Standard BactiVac Terms and Conditions* (PDF, 656KB)

Read the Standard BactiVac DHSC Terms* (PDF, 574KB)

* Both these Terms may apply. Terms and Conditions are subject to change