Let your idea grow with a Catalyst Grant of up to £25,000
At Digital Science we help nurture innovative research software ideas. So, if you’ve got an idea to help further scientific research, we’ve got the funding and friendly advice to bring it to life.
OUR NEXT APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 31 DECEMBER 2017
What we’re looking for
We like original, early stage software ideas that help benefit scientific research.
What we offer
We offer grants of up to £25,000 and bags of friendly advice.
Tell us about your idea
Submit your application and you’ll be on your way to bringing your idea to life.
Our grant explained in 60 seconds
Your application
To apply, send us a proposal of a max of 1,500 words (with diagrams) including the following:
- a description of the product or innovation
- an explanation of how it would benefit scientific research
- background information, including competitor information
- a timetable for its development
- a budget breakdown and how you would spend the funds
Awards are considered twice per year, once in June and once in December.
The selection process
We rigorously evaluate applications and aim to get back to you with an initial response within three weeks.
Applicants who pass this stage will be invited to present their idea to the Digital Science team. This can be done remotely (phone or video conference) or in person at our office in London or Boston. Following this, we will make our final decision.
Priority will be given to applicants whose ideas are truly innovative and who make the strongest case on how to make effective use of the grant. It’s that simple.
Hear our team explain why you should apply
Past winners have included…
Figures www.scientificfigures.co New York, USA
A workflow solution to manage figure data including creation, tracking, editing and discussion – all on one platform.
HackScience http://hackscience.io Researchers from Imperial College London, UK
A platform enabling scientists to create, share and control open and affordable lab automation tools.
HipDynamics http://hipdynamics.com Researchers from King’s College London, UK
A data set interrogation tool in the field of cell and molecular biology.
Etalia https://etalia.io San Fransisco, USA
A platform that offers recommendations for papers and people based on a unique fingerprint generated from a researcher’s reference library.
Simiary http://simiary.com Auckland, New Zealand
A software solution that automatically parses, organises, and presents diverse scholarly products enabling search from multiple domain perspectives.
Ada Lovelace Day Resources Database http://findingada.com/stem-resources London, UK
An online resources database to empower women working in STEM.
Writefull http://writefullapp.com Amsterdam, The Netherlands
An online software application which provides editing and authoring guidance to enhance academic writing.
Penelope www.peneloperesearch.com London, UK
An ‘automated manuscript scrutiniser’ that ensures the drafts that authors submit to their publishers are perfect.
TetraScience www.tetrascience.com Boston, USA
A cloud-based laboratory that can accelerate scientific discovery by enhancing productivity, safety and reproducibility.
Authorea www.authorea.com New York, USA
A dynamic content and data-driven platform for writing up scholarly papers.
Nutonian www.nutonian.com Boston, USA
Software which looks for patterns in vast data sets without human intervention.
Reuben Robbins USA
Software to speed up the processing of neurological test results.
Grant FAQs
How many grants are given per year?
We award a minimum of three grants per year. Closing dates for each round are 30 June and 31 December.
If I am selected, does Digital Science own my product/idea?
Nope! We just want to support your idea, so we give you the opportunity to grow and develop it yourself.
Do you help us at all after we get the grant?
Of course, we are here to support you! We have check-ins with you to see how your idea is coming along and give you advice and/or ideas to think about to improve further.
If I am selected, does this mean I am part of the Digital Science portfolio?
No. But it doesn’t mean you won’t be someday! We regularly monitor the market for new and disruptive ideas, so further investment is not off the table.
Can I apply again if I am not selected?
Yes, you are encouraged to apply again if you are not selected.
Who selects the winners?
We have an experienced team of scientists, analysts and industry thought leaders that evaluate all the submissions.
Who can apply?
Anyone with an early stage scientific software idea.
Can I see who I am competing against?
We do not share other competitor’s ideas, without their permission first. We do promote the winner and they are featured on our webpage.
Are there restrictions on how to spend the money?
Funds can be used for any purpose that serves the project, including equipment purchases, software licensing, travel and reasonable living expenses.
Grant Conditions
- Digital Science does not act as an employer with respect to the grant.
- The anticipated run time for funded projects is six months, and recipients are required to present their final work to our team.
- You must ensure that all the necessary legal and regulatory requirements in order to research and develop your idea are met, and all the necessary licences and approvals have been obtained.
- The grant may be any amount up to a maximum of £25,000. We reserve the sole discretion to determine which applications best address our aims and are, therefore, most worthy of funding and in what amount.
- Payments will not be made on the grant until the successful applicant has formally accepted the grant, the grant deed and the conditions under which the grant is awarded.
- You must ensure that the grant is used for the purposes for which it is awarded.
- By applying for the grant all applicants consent to the use of their personal data by Digital Science for the purposes of the administration of this grant and the application process and any other purposes to which the applicant has consented.
- All submissions will be treated as confidential.
- Digital Science’s decision is final and we reserve the right not to correspond on any matter.
- Digital Science reserves the right to cancel or amend these Grant Conditions Terms as required by the circumstances.
- These conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law. Disputes arising in connection with this Agreement shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.