Bayer offers you financial and scientific support to promote the exploration of your ideas for novel molecular targets towards the development of innovative new crop protection solutions for weed, pest and disease control.
Our aim is to translate innovation coming from research into modern crop protection products suitable for the future challenges of the global agricultural community.
For example a protein (e.g. an enzyme, a receptor, a protein complex) whose activity can be modified by a compound (see below). The target should have been shown to be effective/mechanistically involved in a lethal/severe phenotype.
A compound can be for example a small-molecular-weight chemical, natural-product or a biological, such as proteins or peptides. This modulation should result from a direct interaction between the target and the compound.
There are two types of grants, that will be allocated by Bayer depending on the molecular target, the scientific data provided and the maturity of the proposal.
Support grants (€ 2,000 - € 10,000)*
For novel targets that are at a very early stage of discovery.
Focus grants (€ 10,000 - € 50,000)*
For more advanced proposals to support promising research towards a fully validated crop protection target.
* The size of the individual grant will depend on the target specifics and the state of development and validation.
Conditions
Within Bayer Compound Collection, we may have chemical probes to support your validation efforts. Access to the compound library is subject to special conditions and will require a collaboration contract.
We can offer access to different technologies to assist in your target validation, e.g. gene expression profiling or other state-of-the-art research technologies. Please detail your research interest for the technology platforms in the online submission.
Advanced proposals or projects supported by a grant may lead to extended collaborations.
If we are convinced by the data submitted or generated under one of the Grants we would be interested in an extended collaboration with you to leverage the potential of the target by means of broader in vitro and in vivo characterization.
Applications are submitted via a simple electronic submission form requiring information details of your target and its validation status.
Confidential information should not be revealed at this stage.
Your submission will be reviewed by senior scientists at Bayer's Division Crop Science. The decision on grant allocation and amount of funding is made dependent on the specific target and research plan proposed. Bayer commits to review all proposals within 8 weeks following the submission deadline. Each applicant will receive the evaluation result by email.
Successful applicants will be notified by Bayer and will receive further instructions concerning the grant. A Bayer caretaker will be in contact with you during the grant period.
In the online submission form, please share with us the target details and its crop protection potential.
A short description of the molecular target, pathway, and its potential for crop protection.
Genetically validated in agronomical relevant organism or model organisms with a clear associated phenotype (proof for essentiality or pathogenicity).
Your proposal to assess target activity in vitro or in vivo.
Please provide a research plan detailing the work planned in the coming year after successful application.
You can upload any further documents in the submission form.
Submission reopening soon. Please check back in a few days
Bayer offers a unique incubator for startup life-science companies whose drug targets and technologies align with Bayer's interests.
Bayer is promoting the exploration of new indications by offering grants and further financial support.
Bayer offers financial support to evaluate your antibody or derivate and to promote its exploration for a potential new drug development.