Impact Acceleration Partnership Awards with Aravind Eye Care System
The MicroTex Hub invites applications for Impact Acceleration Partnership Awards to support collaborative projects with Aravind Eye Care System. This call aims to accelerate translation and real-world impact with a particular focus on strengthening international collaboration and validation pathways.
Scope, Priorities, and Aims
Projects of up to 12 months are invited which advance the impact of MicroTex research, strengthen collaboration with Aravind Eye Care System, and enable the testing, validation, and translation of emerging technologies. Proposals should align with key themes including corneal infection, microdosing approaches, and drug development pathways, and technologies relevant to ophthalmology and low-resource settings.
The awards are intended to support early and mid-career researchers and accelerate translational pathways, particularly in microdosing and clinical contexts. They also aim to foster interdisciplinary working across engineering, biology, physics, and chemistry, and to develop practical routes for validating emerging technologies.
Eligibility
Applications are open to researchers from The University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and The University of Bath. Preference will be given to applicants who do not currently hold directly funded MicroTex resources, as well as those with experience working in India or have existing links with Aravind Eye Care System. The Principal Investigator named as lead applicant must be eligible to hold research funding at their institution.
Funding
- Projects may be up to 12 months in duration and must end by the 31st of December 2027
- Funding will be reimbursed at 80% FEC in line with EPSRC rules and can be provided up to £80,000 FEC for applicants from The University of Edinburgh and £100,000 FEC for those from The University of Bath and Heriot-Watt University
- Eligible costs include research staff, consumables, and travel. Equipment costs are not permitted.
- For further funding details, please see the MicroTex Funding Call Information document below
Application Process, Assessment and Timeline
Applications are submitted via a short initial application document outlining the project concept, alignment with the call, and partnership approach. The deadline for submission via email to the MicroTex Hub Manager is 5pm on the 29th of May 2026.
Applications will be assessed on alignment with the call objectives, the strength and feasibility of the collaboration, potential for real-world impact, interdisciplinarity, and added value beyond existing MicroTex activities.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in late June 2026, with panels including representatives from MicroTex and the Aravind Eye Care System.
Successful applicants will receive an award letter by the end of July 2026.
Further Information
Please submit completed applications or send any queries to the MicroTex Hub Manager at microtex@ed.ac.uk.