FAQ

1. How advanced does the research have to be in order to apply?
2. I am at the beginning of my career as a research group leader. Is it worth applying?
3. Do I have to submit unpublished data/confidential information in the application, or during the residential if I'm selected?
4. How will you ensure that any confidential information is not shared out with the programme?
5. What happens if for whatever reason I am unable to participate in the residential training programme? 
6. I work in a country or at an institution where the intellectual property created during research can be owned by the researchers. Can I apply?
7. Does the underpinning research have to be 100% funded by government/public funds?
8. I am in the process of setting up a spinoff/spinout company. Can I apply?
9. Are there any restrictions on what the prize money can be used for?
10. I’m not sure if my university or research institute has a technology transfer office. What should I do?
11. My focus is animal health research, am I eligible? 
12. Which areas are you particularly interested in hearing about?
13. Who can I contact for more information?

There must have been a sufficient amount of basic research conducted to establish an experimental foundation from which to start exploring the translational path and where some preliminary experiments may have been done to test the potential for translation.

 2. I am at the beginning of my career as a research group leader. Is it worth applying? 

Yes. Group leaders towards the start of their independent research careers will not be at a disadvantage compared to senior research leaders and are encouraged to apply. 

3. Do I have to submit unpublished data/confidential information in the application, or during the residential if I'm selected?

The judges will need a sufficient amount of information to evaluate your application. Equally the trainers and experts delivering the residential programme will need to be able to discuss the project with you to provide guidance. As highlighted in the application questions, we do not need you to share specific details of everything, but we do need to have unencumbered conversations. 

4. How will you ensure that any confidential information is not shared out with the programme?

All of those who are involved in the delivery of the programme will be reminded of their obligations to keep confidential information as such and not to use it or share it outside of the programme.

5. What happens if for whatever reason I am unable to participate in the residential training programme?

If you have submitted an application already, but yet to hear the result, you can nominate another research group leader from your institution, but only if they have had significant involvement in the project and also have an aspiration to be closely involved in the commercialization process. If you have already been selected as a winner, the same applies. But in either case, if there is no such person, the award may be allocated to another applicant. Please contact awards@nature.com.

6. I work in a country or at an institution where the intellectual property created during research can be owned by the researchers. Can I apply? 

Yes. We appreciate that some countries - i.e. Sweden - operate policies known as ‘professors’ privilege’, where they have the right to be assigned intellectual property that they create. If any intellectual property has yet to be assigned, we prefer that the institution still owns/has full commercialization rights. 

7. Does the underpinning research have to be 100% funded by government/public funds?

No. Any type of research funding could have supported the research including that from government, charities and the private sector. Your institution must have full commercialization rights in the field of microbiome interventions to improve human health and no third party can have the right to veto.

8. I am in the process of setting up a spinoff/spinout company. Can I apply?

No. The programme is targeted at researchers who are at the early stages of investigating and pursuing commercialization.

9. Are there any restrictions on what the prize money can be used for?

Yes. The money must be used to support the commercialization of the research project. It cannot be used to support patent costs, unless the winner has made a request to the Nature Awards team and this has been agreed.

10. I’m not sure if my university or research institute has a technology transfer office. What should I do?

Technology transfer offices are typically departments within the university administrative structure or a wholly owned subsidiary. Their role is to support researchers to explore and pursue the commercial applications of their research and lead on licencing and spinoff creation. They are known by a variety of names in different countries, such as Office of Technology Licencing, Research and Innovation Services, Research and Enterprise, etc. If your institution is yet to establish a formal office, we suggest you contact the legal department to identify the person responsible for this remit. 

11. My focus is animal health research, am I eligible? 

Research findings from animal health research that are applicable to humans are eligible, but there must be a strong evidence base as to why they are translatable to humans. 

12. Which areas are you particularly interested in hearing about?

All areas of human health are eligible, with a particular interest in the following areas: 

• Longevity: Interventions to promote healthy aging and extend lifespan/healthspan.
• Women's health: Including reproductive health, menopause, hormonal balance, and conditions such as urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis.
• Gut-brain axis: Including mental health, cognitive function, and neurological disorders.
• Skin health: Innovations targeting the skin microbiome and its influence on various dermatological conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and wound healing.
• Gut health: Interventions focusing on restoring and maintaining optimal gut health, including enhancing gut microbiome diversity and stability.
• Delivery: Developing targeted delivery mechanisms.
• Technology development.

13. Who can I contact for more information?

Please contact the Nature Awards team at awards@nature.com