Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund Round 2
UK regulators can apply to the Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund Round 2 (EBSF2) with sandbox projects that accelerate regulatory reforms for engineering biology-derived products and improve the quality of decision-making when assessing these products. This fund will support innovative engineering biology sandboxes which aim to accelerate pro-innovation regulatory reform and encourage business innovation and investment. All sandboxes should aim to ensure timely delivery of regulatory reforms to support the growth of the UK’s engineering biology sectors. We have allocated up to £5 million to fund these regulatory sandboxes. Individual sandbox proposals can apply for up to £1.6 million in funding. An updated competition brief is available at gov.uk (see link below)
- Opening date:
- Closing date:
Contents
Summary
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will invest in regulator-led engineering biology sandbox projects.
UK regulators can apply to the Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund (EBSF) with sandbox projects that accelerate regulatory reforms for engineering biology-derived products and improve the quality of decision-making when assessing these products.
This fund will support innovative engineering biology sandboxes which aim to accelerate pro-innovation regulatory reform and encourage business innovation and investment.
All sandboxes should aim to ensure timely delivery of regulatory reforms to support the growth of the UK’s engineering biology sectors.
The competition’s aim is to support the design and implementation of pro-innovation regulation for engineering biology-derived products and services. This fund will sponsor projects led by regulators which aim to accelerate regulatory reform and encourage business innovation and investment.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding you must be a body which meets the following criteria:
· exercises a ‘regulatory function’, as defined in section 32(2)-(4) of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006;
· performs that regulatory function in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England or across the UK; and
· is subject to and follows the guidance in HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money handbook, or, if not subject to that guidance, is able to demonstrate compliance with Managing Public Money principles with respect to any funding received from DSIT.
· Be compliant with due diligence checks
· Applicants must be capable of accepting the minimum terms, which are set out in the Statement of Main Terms
Objectives
The objective of the Fund is to support the acceleration of regulatory reforms for engineering biology-derived products and improve the quality of regulator’s decision-making when assessing these products.
Sandbox projects should facilitate extensive dialogue between industry and a regulator to inform regulatory actions that strike the right balance between facilitating innovation and mitigating risk. Additionally, the outcome of a sandbox project should be uncertain as it is a research and development project.
Dates
Competition Commencement: round 2, 29th April 2025
Deadline for clarification questions from Applicants: 15th May 2025
Deadline for applications: 2pm 18th July 2025
Evaluation of applications: 19 July – 8 August 2025
Funding award notification: by the end of August 2025
Agreement to be signed by both parties: Early September 2025
Funding start date: September 2025
How to apply
Please download the application form for the EBSF competition, which is available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/engineering-biology-sandbox-fund
Please send your completed application form to engineeringbiology@dsit.gov.uk.
The application is split into three sections:
· application details
· application questions
· project financial information
Late applications will not be accepted, please ensure that you allow sufficient time to complete the applications on time.
Supporting information
Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund Competition Brief
Application form Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund - GOV.UK