FAQs

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WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR LAB282 FUNDING?
Any PI employed by the University of Oxford may apply to LAB282. Any post-doc who is contracted to be employed by the University for at least the expected duration of a funded project may also apply with a letter of support from a PI. If in doubt, please contact Oxford University Innovation Ltd (OUI).
WHAT IS THE REMIT OF THE EIR AND HOW WILL HE INTERACT WITH RESEARCHERS AND WITH OUI?
The EIR is embedded in the University and is intended to be a valuable resource for academics wishing to consult a drug discovery expert on how best to shape and plan projects. The remit of the EIR is to add value across Oxford’s drug discovery activities, to help identify and position new applications for LAB282 funds, and to work in a highly integrated fashion with OUI, other University functions, and the other LAB282 stakeholders, to ensure the smooth operation of the partnership.
AS AN APPLICANT, WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN TERMS OF SUPPORT?
Applicants benefit from financial support for funded projects and from the combined technical expertise and physical resources of the LAB282 partners in building and implementing early stage drug discovery and development programmes.
ARE ACADEMICS AT OXFORD OBLIGED TO USE THIS MECHANISM IN PREFERENCE TO OTHER SOURCES OF TRANSLATIONAL FUNDING?
LAB282 has become an important catalyst for drug discovery projects from Oxford, but academics are under no obligation to use it for their specific needs. We encourage interested academics to first discuss their specific project with OUI in order to determine how well suited LAB282 may be versus other sources of funding.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CONCEPT FOR THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN GENERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS?

This does not necessarily preclude an application to LAB282, but applicants should work with OUI to ensure that an application does not conflict with any 3rd party rights.

CAN THE AWARD BE SPENT IN THE UNIVERSITY e.g. TO FUND POST-DOCS DOING RESEARCH IN MY LAB OR TO ACCESS UNIVERSITY RESOURCES SUCH AS THE TDI?
It is expected that the majority of funded projects will be undertaken at Evotec’s facilities, but LAB282 will consider applications under which some or all of the work would be undertaken in the University. Where Evotec will be performing the work, the University will receive the LAB282 awards and contract directly with Evotec. Please note that University work will be costed by your department at industrial FEC rates.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO APPLY BUT HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED PROOF OF CONCEPT FUNDING?

Prior receipt of proof of concept funding from Oxford’s internal funds or from external sources does not necessarily preclude an application to LAB282, but such awards should be disclosed in an application and discussed with OUI to ensure eligibility. 

CAN I DISCUSS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION WITH LAB282?

The LAB282 partners, including the Expert in Residence, are under a duty of confidentiality regarding information disclosed to them in the course of the partnership. However, information should not be disclosed to LAB282 which is subject to a duty of confidentiality to a 3rd party; for example, where research results have been generated from a project with a commercial sponsor. If in doubt, researchers should first check with Research Services and Oxford University Innovation Ltd.

WHERE WILL FUNDED PROJECTS BE UNDERTAKEN?

It is expected that where possible the projects will be undertaken using the resources available at Evotec, or otherwise where suitable resources can be accessed.

HOW WILL FUNDED PROJECTS BE MANAGED AND MONITORED?

The LAB282 Joint Steering Committee and Expert in Residence (EIR) will monitor progress and make go/no-go decisions should awards be tranched.

WHAT WILL MY ROLE BE IN THE WORK FUNDED BY A LAB282 AWARD?

This will vary depending on the nature of the funded project, but even where the experimental work is being undertaken outside of the University, the applicant will play an active role in guiding and managing the project.

WILL LAB282 SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PLATFORM TECHNOLOGIES?

Yes, provided that platform technologies have the primary purpose of generating new therapies.

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE OUT OF SCOPE FOR LAB282 SUPPORT?

LAB282 will not support late stage preclinical or clinical projects. It is not intended to provide funding for academics’ salaries.