For Universities
Partner with UKABCS as a University
UKABCS works with universities as a co-funding partner. We cover part of the cost, and your institution or students cover only the essential part.
Request a partnershipOne agreement that opens many benefits
The UKABCS University Partner Programme is a single, general cooperation protocol between your university and UKABCS. Once it is signed, your students, researchers and faculty can join UKABCS programmes without negotiating a new contract each time.
Through the programme, UKABCS brings together the support of its partner companies, partner universities and volunteer experts: graduation project support, training, compute and AI tools, mobility exchange, publication and conference support, and startup support.
Explore the programme- Who it is forUniversities, faculties and research institutes
- How it startsA Framework MoU signed directly with UKABCS
- What it coversTen areas of cooperation, added as you need them
- How it is fundedShared cost: in-kind, subsidised or cash support from UKABCS
A co-funded partnership, not only a grant
Every UKABCS programme shares the cost. UKABCS supports part through donated, subsidised or cash support. The university or student pays only the essential costs, and every budget and fee is published.
In-kind
Services donated to UKABCS by partner companies, such as compute, research platforms, CRM licences and training, provided to your students and researchers at no charge.
Subsidised
Services offered well below market price, such as GPU hours and AI usage, with discounts set by your agreement tier.
Cash
Direct, milestone-based support where a programme provides it, such as mobility pocket money, PI allowances or startup marketing funds.
Ten ways to work together
Graduation Projects Support
Computational, technical and software support for senior undergraduate projects.
02Capacity Building & Professional Training
Courses and workshops in biotechnology, bioinformatics and computational science.
03Research Support & Scientific Mentorship
Research supervision, mentorship and access to experts.
04International Mobility & Exchange
Exchange placements for students, researchers and faculty across our partner network.
05Scientific Conference Support
Support for participation in local and international conferences.
06Scientific Publication Support
Help with publication fees and available APC waivers.
07Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Startups
Turning research ideas and graduation projects into startups.
08Academic Events & Scientific Activities
Organising and sponsoring workshops, seminars and conferences.
09International Partnerships & MoUs
Cooperation agreements with universities, research institutes and industry.
10Faculty Development Programmes
Training faculty in modern research tools, AI and computational methods.
Types of cooperation agreement
Most universities start with a Framework MoU and add specific agreements as they join programmes.
Framework MoU
The starting agreement that opens all ten areas of cooperation and sets the general rights and obligations of both parties.
Co-funded Grant Agreement
Sets each party’s share of a specific grant, for example the Digital Campus Transformation Grant (60% UKABCS, 40% university).
Compute & AI Access Agreement
Gives your students and researchers subsidised GPU hours and AI research tools at a tiered discount: Bronze 50%, Silver 60% or Gold 70%.
Mobility Agreement
Joins your university to the UKABCS exchange network. Each university signs with UKABCS directly; UKABCS coordinates placements with the other partner universities.
Tool Contribution Agreement
Covers research tools built by your researchers or graduation teams for the UKABCS AI research platform: credit, intellectual property and free public access.
Industry In-kind Donation Agreement
For companies donating services to UKABCS that are then provided to partner universities and researchers.
Faculty Development Agreement
Structured training programmes for faculty members in research tools, AI and computational methods.
Know what you give and what you get
Each agreement sets out, before signing, what the university and its students receive and what they commit to.
University — receives
- Access to the programmes named in its agreement
- In-kind and subsidised services for its students and researchers
- Priority in UKABCS grant calls
- Coordination with UKABCS partner universities and companies
- Clear, published budgets and administration fees
University — commits to
- Its agreed co-funding share, paid directly to implementing companies under contract
- Appointing a responsible PI or focal point
- Following programme rules, timelines and reporting
- Nominating eligible students fairly and transparently
- Hosting incoming exchange participants where it joins the mobility network
Student — receives
- The support package of the programme they are selected for
- Access to donated tools, platforms and compute
- Support letters and coordination where applicable
- Certificates and recognition on completion
Student — commits to
- Paying any costs the programme states are their own (for example flights, visa or a declared administration fee)
- Completing the programme requirements and timelines
- Following the host institution’s rules and UKABCS policies
- Submitting the required reports and outputs
From request to results
- 1
Apply
Submit a partnership request describing your institution and the areas you are interested in.
- 2
Review
UKABCS reviews eligibility and proposes the agreements and tier that fit your needs.
- 3
Sign
Your university signs directly with UKABCS. Rights and obligations are set out before any work starts.
- 4
Implement
Programmes run with milestones, and payments are made against evidence.
- 5
Report
Both parties report on outcomes, and results are published in line with our transparency policies.
Request a partnership
Tell us about your institution and the areas you would like to work on. Our team will reply with the agreements that fit your needs.
Request a partnershipAdministration fees, where they apply, are declared in advance. See our Administration Fees Policy.