The objectives of LINK are to:
- provide a framework for collaborative research programmes and projects in key areas of science, technology and engineering;
- enable and accelerate the commercial exploitation of science and technology, leading to new products, processes, systems and services;
- promote a close interaction between industry and the research base so that nationally supported programmes of basic research are influenced by awareness of the needs of industry;
- use the research base more effectively and to increase UK industrial competitiveness;
- stimulate industry to increase its own investment in R&D.
Under LINK, industry and academia collaborate on discrete projects within defined, managed programmes, 50% of project direct costs being met by the industrial partner(s) and the remainder by one or more government sponsors (i.e departments and/or research councils).
The MRC set up its LINK Programme Integrated Approaches to Healthy Ageing with the following scientific objectives:
- to improve understanding of molecular, cellular, physiological, immunological, psychologicaland social mechanisms contributing significantly to healthy ageing, or to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, or to decline in physiological function;
- to develop integrated and deliverable biological, psychological and sociological approaches to support healthy ageing and independent living;
- to develop new, effective, rationally-based approaches to prevention, management and rehabilitation in disorders of major clinical and health service burden in the elderly – with an emphasis on effectiveness within defined systems of care.
To date, the programme has supported 9 projects covering such areas as: Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disease, new generation anti-microbials and periodontal disease, and urinary incontinence. The programme is open to applications – which may be made at any time. The MRC particularly wishes to encourage proposals involving small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) working together with partners in the universities and other parts of the science base.
While scientific merit is a key criterion, other factors are taken into account in assessing proposals, such as the project’s degree of innovation and its potential for commercial exploitation. It is essential for the project partners to enter into a collaboration agreement which covers such things as ownership and responsibilities in respect of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) before a LINK award can be confirmed. Successful LINK proposals specify realistic goals (including milestones), and set out appropriate arrangements for the joint management of the project by both partners.
Further information is available via the MRC WWW pages (http://www.mrc.ac.uk).
The MRC would be pleased to advise potential applicants in developing proposals for the Programme.