Biomedical Catalyst 2022 Round 2: Industry-led R&D

The Biomedical Catalyst will reopen on 15th August. Through this competition, UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of £25 million to develop innovative solutions to health and healthcare challenges.

Scope

Projects can focus on any health or healthcare sector or discipline, including digital health. They can include a range of activities, such as:

  • experimental evaluation (at laboratory scale)
  • use of in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate proof of concept or safety
  • exploring potential production mechanisms
  • prototyping
  • product development planning
  • intellectual property protection
  • a demonstration of clinical utility and effectiveness
  • a demonstration of safety and efficacy (including phase 1 and 2 clinical trials)
  • regulatory planning

Applicants must demonstrate existing evidence of commercial and technical feasibility in this stream of the Biomedical Catalyst programme.

Eligibility

All projects must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • have total project costs between £150,000 and £4 million, not exceeding a grant request of £2 million
  • have at least 50% of the total project costs shared by the SMEs, if collaborative
  • start before 1 May 2023 and end before 30 April 2026
  • last between 6 months and 36 months
  • carry out all project work in the UK and intend to exploit the results from or in the UK

To lead a project or work alone, your organisation must be a UK registered SME. You can work in collaboration with other organisations, including businesses of any size, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profits, public sector organisations, or research and technology organisations. They must also be registered in the UK.

More Information

Round 2 of the Biomedical Catalyst is open from 15th August until 12th October. For more information, please visit the competition page or join the online briefing event on 23rd August.

RedKnight has a strong track record of securing funding for life science companies. If you would like to discuss working together, please contact us to arrange a free consultation.

by Jonny O'Rourke

DASA launches new programme to support defence innovation

The UK Government has launched a new £16 million fund to boost small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) defence innovation. The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) aims to bring SMEs and large suppliers together to solve defence problems.

What funding is available?

DTEP is delivered by the Defence and Security Accelerator in collaboration with Innovate UK. It offers companies grant funding of up to 50% of a project’s value to a maximum of £500,000 per grant.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to SMEs who are looking to deliver new innovations into the UK defence supply chain. They must:

  • Be based in the UK and plan to deliver their project in the UK.
  • Plan to partner with a UK-registered Higher Tier Supplier at the point of submission and for the duration of the project.
  • Have a project that aligns with one of the Enduring Capability Challenges.
How to apply

The application process has five stages:

  1. Identify: Once you have a defence innovation project in mind, you should speak with your regional DASA Innovation Partner and identify a Higher Tier partner for your application.
  2. Review: You should then complete an outline submission. This will be reviewed by an Industry Project Review Panel, and you will receive feedback and guidance from a DASA Business Relationship Manager.
  3. Pitch: Next, you will need to complete a full submission and present this to the Industry Project Review Panel.
  4. Assessment: The MOD will assess your proposal on its alignment to the Enduring Capability Challenges.
  5. Award: If your project is successful, Innovate UK will award a grant and the project can begin.
More Information

DTEP is open for proposals all year round, with cycles closing at 3-month intervals for the assessment of applications. The first outline proposal cycle will close on 27th October.

View the full competition guidance here or contact us if you would like to discuss a potential application.

by Jonny O'Rourke

Innovate UK Smart Grants: July 2022

A new round of Innovate UK Smart Grants will open on 28th July. Through this competition, up to £25m is available for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy.

Scope

Applications can come from any area of technology and be applied to any part of the economy.  To be in scope, proposals must demonstrate:

  • a game-changing, innovative, and disruptive idea that will lead to new products, processes or services
  • an idea that is significantly ahead of others in the field, set for rapid commercialisation
  • clear potential to positively impact the UK’s position, productivity and competitiveness within the global economy
  • a clear, evidence-based business plan to deliver significant economic impact, return on investment (ROI) and growth through commercialisation, as soon as possible after project completion
  • why Smart funding is the right potential funding for your project, and the journey you have already been on to reach the point of application
  • a team with the necessary skills and expertise to deliver the project successfully and on time, and to achieve rapid commercialisation
  • awareness of all the main risks the project will face with realistic management, mitigation and impact minimisation plans for each risk
  • sound, practical financial plans and timelines that represent good value for money, including the funding of post-project activities
Eligibility

Applications must include at least one SME; they can be the lead or a collaborative grant claiming partner. The project must start by 1st May 2023 and end by 30th April 2026. It should also follow specific rules based on its duration:

  1. Projects with durations between 6 and 18 months must have total eligible project costs between £100,000 and £500,000. They can be single or collaborative projects.
  2. Projects with durations between 19 months and 36 months must have total eligible project costs between £100,000 and £2 million. In contrast to shorter projects, they must be collaborative.
More Information

This competition is open from 28th July until 26th October. For more information, please visit the competition page or attend the online briefing event on 4th August.

RedKnight's logoRedKnight has a strong track record of securing Innovate UK Smart Grants and can help you develop a competitive application! If you would like help putting together a competitive proposal, please contact us today.

by Jonny O'Rourke

Innovation Loans Round 5 open for applications

The Innovate UK Innovation Loans programme is open for applications. UK SMEs can apply for a share of £25 million for innovative, late-stage projects with strong commercial potential.

Scope

All projects must lead to new products, processes or services that are significantly ahead of current state-of-the-art solutions. It can also involve a new or innovative business model. Projects should focus on one or more of the following themes and sub-themes:

Net Zero

  • energy
  • impact of industrial processes and use of materials
  • agriculture and food and other sources of emissions
  • capital intensity

Health and Wellbeing

  • tackling ill health
  • enhancing wellbeing
  • diet and food

Next generation digital technologies

Technology families

  • advanced materials and manufacturing
  • artificial intelligence
  • digital and advanced computing
  • bioinformatics and genomics
  • engineering biology
  • electronics, photonics and quantum technologies
  • energy and environment technologies
  • robotics and smart machines

Innovate UK is looking to fund a portfolio of projects and businesses, across a variety of technologies and markets. However, they are particularly interested in projects that focus on the future economy areas included in the Innovate UK plan for action.

Eligibility

Innovation loans can be for between £100,000 and £2 million. Projects must start by 30th January 2023 and can last up to 5 years, including both the R&D and commercialisation phases. Loan recipients must also:

  • Be a UK-registered SME
  • Carry out their project from or in the UK and intend to exploit the project’s results from or in the UK
  • Give evidence that their business is suitable to take on a loan
More Information

Innovation Loans Round 5 is open from 20th July until 14th September. RedKnight has a strong track record of securing Innovate UK funding and can help you develop a competitive application! Please contact us in order to arrange a free consultation.

If you’re looking for grant funding, you may also be interested in Innovate UK Smart Grants.

by Jonny O'Rourke

Eureka Eurostars: frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What is Eureka Eurostars?

Eureka Eurostars is an international funding programme for innovative SMEs. It provides funding for collaborative R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation.

2. What are the eligibility criteria?

To apply, you must fulfil six eligibility criteria:

  • Your consortium must be led by an innovative SME from a Eurostars country.
  • Your consortium must include entities from at least two Eurostars countries.
  • The budget of the SME(s) from a Eurostars country, excluding subcontracting, must be 50% or more of the total project cost.
  • No single participant or country should be responsible for more than 70% of the project budget.
  • The project duration must be 36 months or less.
  • The project must have an exclusively civilian purpose.
3. Who are the participating countries?

There are 37 participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

4. What funding is available?

As a decentralised programme, each Eureka country administrates its own participation, meaning every country has its own rules, regulations, and grant rate. UK registered SMEs can apply for a total grant of up to €360,000 or 60% of the total eligible project costs (whichever is the least).

5. What stage of development does Eurostars fund?

Eureka Eurostars supports early-stage R&D projects to transition from TRL 4 until TRL 6.

6. How do UK organisations apply?

If you are a UK lead applicant, you must submit an Innovate UK application and complete the Eureka application on behalf of your project. If your consortium is led by an organisation from another participating country, one of the UK grant claiming partners will need to submit the application to Innovate UK.

7. What is the evaluation process?

Eurostars has a centralised evaluation process. In the first step, each eligible application is assessed by three independent experts commissioned by the Eureka Association. A legal and financial viability check also takes place at this stage.

Then, applications that pass the evaluation and legal and financial viability check are evaluated by the Independent Evaluation Panel. They define a ranking list of the applications and recommend the top applications for funding.

8. What are the chances of success?

29% of all applications receive funding. It is less competitive than similar innovation funding streams, such as Innovate UK Smart Grants and the EIC Accelerator.

9. Can I apply again if I am unsuccessful?

Yes, you can resubmit a Eurostars application to Innovate UK if your first attempt is unsuccessful. However, you are limited to a maximum of two applications to Innovate UK with any given proposal.

10. How can RedKnight help?

RedKnight has a proven track record with Eureka Eurostars and can help you develop a competitive application. Most recently, we won €674,160 on behalf of the FrOLik consortium – read more about this here.

RedKnight's logoIf you are looking for bid writing support with a Eureka Eurostars application, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us in order to arrange a free consultation.

by Jonny O'Rourke

Eureka Eurostars 3: Call 3 now open

Eureka Eurostars 3: Call 3 is open for applications until 15th September. Through this competition, UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of £2.5 million to fund collaborative R&D projects with organisations from participating Eureka Eurostars member countries.

Scope

Applicants must develop an innovative product, technology-based application, or technology-based service with high market potential, and transition from TRL 4 to TRL 6. All proposals must demonstrate:

  • a game-changing or disruptive idea leading to new products, processes or services
  • a strong and deliverable business plan that addresses market potential and needs
  • sound, practical financial plans and timelines
  • good value for money
  • a clear, evidence-based plan to deliver significant economic impact, return on investment (ROI) and growth through commercialisation, as soon as possible after project completion
  • clear, considerable potential to significantly benefit the UK economy and/or national productivity
  • the benefit of participants from the countries working together and how this adds value
  • a clear definition of where intellectual property can be used and shared between the participants and countries
  • a clear route to market within two years of project completion
Eligibility

UK registered SMEs can apply for a total grant of up to €360,000 or 60% of the total eligible project costs (whichever is the least). To apply, you must also fulfil the following seven eligibility criteria:

  1. The project lead is an innovative SME from a Eurostars country.
  2. Include at least two independent entities in your consortium.
  3. Include entities from at least two Eurostars' countries in your consortium.
  4. The budget of the SME(s) from a Eurostars country, excluding subcontracting, is 50% or more of the total project cost.
  5. No single participant or country is responsible for more than 70% of the project budget.
  6. The project duration is less than 36 months.
  7. The project has an exclusively civilian purpose.
How can RedKnight help?

RedKnight's logoRedKnight has an excellent track record of supporting applications to Eureka Eurostars. For example, we recently won €674,160 on behalf of the FrOLik consortium – read more about this here. If you are looking for bid writing support and would like to arrange a free consultation, get in touch today.

by Jonny O'Rourke

£70 million available through IETF Phase 2: Summer 2022

The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) supports businesses with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future. The fund targets existing industrial processes, helping industry to cut their bills and emissions through increased energy efficiency and decarbonisation.

Scope

IETF Phase 2: Summer 2022 will provide up to £70 million of grant funding across three competition strands:

  1. Studies - feasibility and engineering studies to investigate identified energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects before making an investment decision.
  2. Energy efficiency – deployment of technologies in order to reduce industrial energy consumption.
  3. Deep carbonisation – deployment of technologies in order to achieve industrial emissions savings.

Businesses can apply to more than one strand if they meet the scope and eligibility criteria for each of them. All projects must aim to improve the performance, emissions, and environmental outcomes of the industrial process beyond standards currently required by both UK and international law.

Eligibility

This competition is open to businesses registered and operating in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The lead applicant must carry out an eligible industrial process at a site which will be the focus of the application. To be eligible, the industrial process must also fall into one of the following SIC codes:

  • Mining and quarrying - 05101 through to 05200; 07100 through to 08990; 09900
  • Manufacturing – 10000 through to 33200
  • Recovery and recycling of materials – 38320
  • Data centre – 63110
More Information

IETF Phase 2: Summer 2022 is open until 9th September 2022. You can find everything you need to know, including the full eligibility criteria and how to apply, in the competition guidance document.

RedKnight's logoRedKnight has a strong track record of securing innovation funding and can help you develop a competitive application! If you are interested in bid writing support, please contact us to arrange a free consultation.

by Jonny O'Rourke

An update on the EIC Accelerator

The European Commission has provided an update on the EIC Accelerator – Europe’s flagship programme for start-ups and SMEs developing breakthrough technologies and innovation. It claims implementation is back on track amid continued strong interest in the programme.

State of implementation

Since its launch in March 2021, the EIC Accelerator has experienced delays in the signature of grant and investment agreements. This is due to disagreement over the management of the EIC Fund.

Things finally appear to be back on track as the European Commission expects to approve all delayed grant decisions from the 2021 cut-offs by the end of the summer. They also announced the first equity investment this month, with further investments set to follow in the next few weeks.

Revised strategic goals

The EIC Board has published a revised set of strategic goals for 2021-27. In short, the European Innovation Council aims to:

  1. Be the investor of choice for those with visionary ideas.
  2. Crowd €30-50 billion investment into European deep tech.
  3. Pull through high-risk technologies in critical areas for society and strategic autonomy.
  4. Increase the number of European unicorns and scale ups.
  5. Catalyse innovation impacts from European public R&D.
  6. Achieve operational excellence.

Operational excellence is underpinned by two significant key performance indicators: i) startups to receive first grant payment within 4-5 months of applying to the EIC and ii) EIC Fund to agree investment term sheet within 8 weeks. You can read the full list of strategic goals and key performance indicators here.

Level of interest

The European Innovation Council received 986 full applications to the June 15th cut-off. The highest number of applications came from Germany (110), Israel (87), Italy (85) and Spain (81). Successful companies will be invited to interview in September, with selection decisions expected in October.

UK participation

UK entities can apply to most Horizon Europe funding opportunities on the same terms as EU-based applicants. While this includes the grant element of the EIC Accelerator, UK applicants are unfortunately not eligible to receive loans or equity from the EIC Fund.

Please note that the UK is still in the process of associating to Horizon Europe. However, there is a ‘Horizon Europe guarantee’ scheme in place for successful UK applicants who are unable to sign grant agreements with the EU.

RedKnight has a strong track record of securing innovation funding and can help you develop a competitive application! Please contact us in order to arrange a free consultation.

by Jonny O'Rourke

Grant funding available for UK-Israel collaborative R&D

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of £2 million to fund collaborative research and development projects with Israel. This is a joint funding competition under the Eureka framework.

Scope

Funding is available for industrial research projects from any technological or market area. All proposals must demonstrate the following:

  • a clear game-changing or disruptive innovative idea leading to new products, processes or services
  • a strong and deliverable business plan
  • sound, practical financial plans and timelines
  • good value for money
  • a clear, evidence-based plan to deliver significant economic impact, return on investment and growth through commercialisation
  • clear, considerable potential to significantly benefit the UK economy or national productivity
  • the benefit of participants from the countries working together and how this adds value
  • a clear definition of where intellectual property (IP) can be used and shared between the participants and countries
  • a clear route to market within 2 to 3 years of project completion
Eligibility

UK applicants can apply for up to £250k. In addition, projects must be collaborative and last between 12-24 months.

Project Team

The UK lead applicant must collaborate with at least one organisation from Israel. They can also collaborate with other UK registered businesses of any size.

Subcontractors are allowed in this competition but they must not account for more than 20% of the UK partners’ total eligible costs.

More Information

More information is available on the competition page. To apply, UK applicants must complete a Eureka application by 19th September and submit an Innovate UK application before 28th September.

RedKnight has a strong track record of securing Eureka funding and can help you develop a competitive application! Please contact us in order to arrange a free consultation.

by Jonny O'Rourke

Innovate UK launches £30m Fast Start: Innovation competition

This week, Innovate UK announced a brand new series of grants worth £30 million to fund innovation in net zero and healthcare. Grants of up to £50,000 will be available for UK start-ups developing highly innovative products, processes and services across seven technology areas:

  1. advanced materials and manufacturing
  2. AI, digital and advanced computing
  3. bioinformatics and genomics
  4. engineering biology
  5. electronics, photonics and quantum
  6. energy and environment technologies
  7. robotics and smart machines
Scope

Projects must focus on how one of the seven technology areas can enable affordable, adoptable, and investible solutions for achieving net zero or self-driven healthcare. You can find more information on both challenge themes here. Innovate UK is particularly interested in proposals that help:

  • develop both the idea and the business
  • create a new revenue stream
  • evidence and enable market, funding and commercialisation plans
  • show what’s feasible, helping the business decide whether to pursue the idea further
  • catalyse further innovation on the path to commercial success
  • respond to changing market conditions
Eligibility

To lead a project, your organisation must be a UK-registered micro or small business. You must not have exceeded your £315,000 limit of de minimis or minimal financial assistance funding during the current and previous 2 fiscal years.

All projects must have total project costs between £25,000 and £50,000. They should last between 3 and 6 months, starting by 1st November 2022 and ending by 30th April 2023.

Fast Start: Innovation grants are only available for businesses that have not previously received Innovate UK funding. Successful applicants will also receive tailored business support through Innovate UK EDGE.

More Information

This competition is open from 11th July until 26th July. For more information, please see the competition document and watch the pre-recorded applicant briefing. Innovate UK is also holding online Q&A events on 12th and 18th July if you have any questions.

by Jonny O'Rourke