APC 19: funding available to develop the UK’s low carbon automotive capability
The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) is investing £25 million in late-stage, collaborative R&D to develop automotive technology and processes. Through APC 19, they aim to grow capability to support the UK automotive industry’s transition towards net zero.
Scope
Projects should demonstrate the development of on-vehicle technologies (including material, product and manufacturing processes) for on or off-road vehicles. They should either i) accelerate the development of technologies capable of low and zero tailpipe emissions or ii) demonstrate a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions leading to air quality improvements.
A number of technologies are in scope, including motors, batteries, vehicle hydrogen systems, power electronics, hybridisation, lightweight vehicle structures, and alternative propulsion systems. All proposals must align with the UK’s Green Industrial Strategy and clearly demonstrate how high-value R&D will take place in the UK because of this funding.
Eligibility
All projects must fulfil the following criteria:
- Have total eligible costs between £5 million and £40 million
- Be a minimum of 50% match funded
- Start before 1st April 2022
- Last between 18 and 42 months
- Carry out its project work in the UK
- Intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
In addition, the lead organisation must:
- Be a UK registered business of any size
- Have an active registered business base in the UK
- Be a grant recipient
- Involve at least one SME if the lead is not one
- Include in your consortia a vehicle manufacturer or tier 1 supplier who supplies parts directly to an original equipment manufacturer
- Collaborate with others - specifically, Innovate UK suggests that projects contain up to 6 project partners.
More Information
APC 19 is open from 9th August until 6th October. For more information and to apply, please visit the competition page. If you are looking for bid writing support and would like to arrange a free consultation with a member of our team, get in touch today.
Innovate UK Announces Women in Innovation Awards 2021/22
Through the Women in Innovation Awards 2021/22, 20 female entrepreneurs will receive a £50,000 grant and a bespoke package of mentoring, coaching and business support. The competition aims to fund and support a diverse portfolio of Women in Innovation Award winners:
- who will be relatable role models for women from all backgrounds
- from regions across the UK
- who are solving a range of pressing societal, environmental and economic challenges
Applications can come from any area of innovation and be applied to any part of the economy. However, applicants must be confident that their project, with the support of an award, will make a significant contribution to a pressing societal, environmental or economic challenge.
Eligibility
Projects must start on 1st April 2022 and last for one year. To be eligible for an award, you must also fulfil the following criteria:
- be a female founder, co-founder or senior decision maker within a UK registered micro or SME business which has been operating for at least 12 months by the competition closing date
- carry out your project work in the UK
- intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
- be legally and contractually able to use the funding
- attend an online interview panel during the week beginning 6 December 2021
- attend 2 bootcamps over one and a half days each on the 16 and 17 March 2022 and in September 2022.
- commit to work as a role model for up to 5 days over the duration of the award.
Background
Innovate UK launched Women in Innovation in 2016 to encourage gender diversity throughout UK innovation. At the time, just 14% of applications to Innovate UK were led by women – despite success rates between male and female applicants being largely equal! Since then, the number of women leading applications for grants to Innovate UK has increased by 70%.
More Information
The Women in Innovation Awards will open on 23rd August and close on 6th October. If you would like to learn more, register to attend KTN’s briefing event on 24th August! For application support, please contact us to arrange a free consultation.
Analysis for Innovators Returns for Round 6
A new round of Analysis for Innovators (A4I) is open for applications! UK registered businesses can apply for a share of £3 million to resolve productivity issues by working with the best UK scientists and cutting-edge research facilities.
This is the expression of interest (EoI) stage and so there is no funding available. Moving forward, successful applicants will attend brokerage consultations with A4I partners to find the best approach for solving their problem. They will then work together to propose joint projects in stage 2 which, if successful, will receive grant funding.
Eligibility
In stage two, your project must fulfil the following criteria:
- have total eligible costs of up to £50,000
- start by 1 January 2022 and end by 31st March 2022
- carry out all of its project work in the UK
- intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
- involve at least one of the A4I co-funding partner organisations
A business can only lead on one application in this round of the competition, while previously submitted applications are also ineligible.
Scope
Within your application, you must outline the benefits of solving your problem. For example, this may include improved productivity or competitiveness. Innovate UK will only consider problems that:
- are related to the measurement or analysis of some quantities or properties of an existing process, product or service
- are not effectively solvable by simple ‘off the shelf’ methods or techniques
You must outline any methods and attempts that you have previously tried to address the problem. However, your application should not propose a solution.
More Information
Analysis for Innovators is open from 29th July until 18th August. Successful applicants will be notified by 8th September, with online partner brokerage sessions set to take place between 10th - 20th September. More information is available on the competition page.
If you’re looking for funding to develop a new innovative product, process or service, rather than to solve a problem, you may be interested in Innovate UK’s Smart Grants competition.
UK Government Announces New Innovation Strategy
The UK Government has announced a new Innovation Strategy, setting a long-term plan for delivering innovation-led growth. It aims to secure the UK’s position as a world leader in science, research and innovation by boosting private sector investment in R&D and creating the right conditions for all businesses to innovate.
But what does that mean in practice?
Firstly, the government will identify a series of ‘innovation missions’ to set clear direction, urgency and pace on some of the largest challenges facing the world today. These will be determined by the new National Science and Technology Council and supported by the Office for Science and Technology Strategy.
The strategy also identifies seven strategic technologies to prioritise and build on existing R&D strength: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing; AI, Digital and Advanced Computing; Bioinformatics and Genomics; Engineering Biology; Electronics, Photonics and Quantum; Energy and Environment Technologies; Robotics and Smart Machines.
Significantly, the strategy outlines four main areas of support for innovative businesses and institutions:
- Unleashing Business
- People
- Institutions and Places
- Missions and Technologies
They include the following measures:
- Increase annual public investment in R&D to a record £22 billion
- Ensure government procurement is both proactive and supportive, providing a route to market for innovative new products and services
- Consult on how regulation can ensure that the UK is well-placed to extract the best value from innovation
- Commission the Regulatory Horizons Council to consider how best to support innovation through regulation
- Introduce new High Potential Individual and Scale-up visa routes, as well as revitalise the Innovator route, to attract and retain high-skilled, globally mobile innovation talent
- Undertake an independent review to assess the landscape of UK organisations undertaking all forms of research, development and innovation
- Reduce complexity for innovative companies by developing an online finance and innovation hub between Innovate UK and the British Business Bank
- Expand IP education programme for researchers and launch International IP Services
- Publish a new action plan on ‘Standards for the Fourth Industrial Revolution', therefore promoting standards that enable innovation to flourish
- Invest £200 million through the British Business Bank’s Life Sciences Investment Programme in order to target the growth-stage funding gap
- Support 30,000 senior managers of small and medium-sized businesses through Help to Grow: Management to boost their business’s performance, resilience, and long-term growth
We look forward to seeing the impact of the Innovation Strategy in the coming months. Where grant funding opportunities arise, we will of course highlight them on our blog and in our monthly newsletter.
Source: UK Government
How does the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework apply to grant funding?
When you are applying for grant funding, it is important that you have a clear idea of your project’s technical maturity, which can be categorised through use of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework.
NASA introduced the framework in the 1970s to assess whether its emerging technology was ready for space exploration. It is based on a scale from 1-9, with 9 representing the most mature technology. The 9 levels are:
TRL 1 – Basic principles observed
The lowest level of technology readiness, where scientific research commences its journey to research and development. Activities include paper studies of the technology's basic properties.
TRL 2 – Technology concept formulated
Once you've observed the basic principles, research and development can begin. At this stage, all applications will be speculative.
TRL 3 – Experimental proof of concept
Then, analytical and laboratory studies should take place to validate the technology’s feasibility and achieve proof of concept.
TRL 4 – Technology validated in lab
Once the technology has achieved proof of concept, its components should be tested together.
TRL 5 – Technology validated in relevant environment
Next, the components should be integrated with realistic supporting elements and tested in a simulated environment.
TRL 6 – Technology demonstrated in relevant environment
At TRL 6, you should develop and test a model or prototype in a relevant environment.
TRL 7 – System prototype demonstration in operation at environment
The prototype should be operated in its operational environment to demonstrate performance.
TRL 8 – System complete and qualified
At this stage, the technology has been tested and proven to work in its intended operational environment.
TRL 9 – Actual system proven in operational environment
Lastly, the technology should be applied in its final form and under mission conditions.
How do TRLs apply to grant funding?
Today, many of the main innovation funding programmes use the Technology Readiness Level framework, including both Innovate UK and Horizon Europe. Check out our list of how TRLs apply to some of the most popular competitions below:
European Innovation Council
- EIC Pathfinder
The EIC Pathfinder focuses on progression from TRL 1-4. It provides grants of up to €3 million to achieve proof of principle and validate the scientific basis of the breakthrough technology.
- EIC Transition
Bridging the gap between the Pathfinder and Accelerator, the EIC Transition funds activities from TRL 4-5/6. Grants are available to validate and demonstrate technology in a relevant environment, as well as develop market readiness.
- EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator provides blended finance, comprising both investment and grant components, to support progression from TRL 5-8.
Innovate UK
Innovate UK supports the following research categories:
- Feasibility Studies - TRL 1-3
Analysis and evaluation of a project’s potential to uncover its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential threats.
- Industrial Research - TRL 4-6
Planned research or critical investigation to gain new knowledge and skills. According to Innovate UK, projects can include the creation of component parts to complex systems, as well as prototypes in a laboratory or environment with simulated interfaces.
- Experimental Development - TRL 6-8
The use of existing knowledge and skills to develop a new or improved product, process or service. This includes activities such as prototyping, demonstrating, piloting, testing and validation in environments representative of real-life operating conditions.
More grant support is available for projects at early technology readiness levels. For example, grants may cover up to 70% of the costs involved in feasibility studies and industrial research. But as the technology gets closer to market, it will involve less risk and hence less funding will be available. As a result, the maximum grant amount available for an experimental development project is 45%.
Eureka Eurostars
Eureka Eurostars supports early-stage R&D projects to transition from TRL 4 until TRL 6. As a decentralised programme, each Eureka country administrates its own participation, meaning every country has its own rules, regulations, and grant rate. For example, the UK provides grant funding of up to €360,000 (or 60% of eligible costs) for SMEs.
If you are struggling to identify your technology's stage of development and eligibility for funding, please contact us to arrange a free consultation.
i4i Connect: Funding Available for SMEs Developing MedTech Projects
The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme will launch the fifth round of its Connect Awards on 17th August 2021. This round will have two funding streams: 1) Connect awards and 2) Children and Young People’s Mental Health Awards.
i4i Connect provides funding for SMEs developing medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and digital health technologies which have a clear patient benefit and are intended for NHS use. The funding is to help companies reach the next stage in the development pathway. This will enable them to apply for further funding, such as the i4i Product Development Award.
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects must be led by an SME
- The lead applicant must be based in England
- The project value must be between £50,000 and £150,000
- Projects must last 6-12 months
- Applicants need to demonstrate evidence of proof-of-concept
- Projects should address a clearly defined unmet clinical need
- The project must start between 1st January 2021 and 1st March 2021
Application Process
i4i Connect has a two-stage application process:
- Stage 1 – Expression of Interest
- Stage 2 – Business Plan and video pitch
Firstly, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest form by 14th September 2021. Applicants will be notified of their submission outcome in October and, if successful, they can proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2 requires applicants to submit a business plan with a maximum of 15 pages and a 3-minute video pitch by 2nd November. This will be reviewed by the i4i Connect Selection Committee, and applicants will be notified of their submission outcome later in November.
More Information
You can find more information in the competition document. If you are looking for bid writing support and would like to arrange a free consultation with a member of our team, get in touch today.
Sign up for RedKnight’s monthly newsletter in order to receive the latest opportunities direct to your inbox.
Innovation Funding Opportunities to Support Healthy Ageing
Innovate UK’s latest competition, Healthy Ageing Social Ventures, will invest £4 million in the development of products and services to support healthy ageing. The funding is from UKRI’s £98 million Healthy Ageing Challenge. It aims to help people remain active, productive, independent and socially connected for as long as possible.
All projects must deliver social impact and address one or more of the seven themes of the Healthy Ageing Challenge Framework:
- Living well with cognitive impairment
- Sustaining physical activity
- Maintaining health at work and work in later life
- Managing the common complaints of ageing
- Design for age-friendly homes
- Creating healthy active places
- Supporting social connections
This is phase 1 of a potential 2-phase competition, where only successful applicants from phase 1 will be eligible to apply to take part in phase 2. In phase 1, funding will be split across two strands:
-
Feasibility Studies
Up to £50,000 is available per feasibility study, which should involve planned research or critical investigation to gain knowledge and skills for developing new products, processes or services. Projects should last no longer than 12 months. They must start by 1st March 2022 and end by 28th February 2023.
-
Industrial Research
Organisations can apply for a share of £3 million and propose projects that last up to 24 months. Successful applicants will receive between £50,000 and £150,000 for prototyping and evaluation work. Projects should start before 1st March 2022 and end by 29th February 2024.
More information
Both strands open for applications on 19th July and close on 15th September 2021. More information is available on the competition pages: feasibility studies and industrial research. Prospective applicants can also attend a webinar on 15th July to learn more about the fund.
If you’re thinking of applying and want to increase your chances by working with a grant funding specialist, get in touch today.
Funding Available for Automated Vehicle Projects
The Department for Transport and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles are working with Innovate UK to find and fund three automated vehicle projects. A total of £1.5 million will be available for the continued development of technologies and assurance processes to enable the safe use of fully automated vehicles.
Scope
Your project can focus on one or more of the following themes:
- Automated driving system (ADS) development, to reduce safety driver intervention requirements
- Sensing and perception system development to reduce safety driver intervention requirements
- Remote monitoring or remote operation
- Scenario development or scenario application for intended deployment area
- Strategies for coping with scenarios that exceed operational design domain
- Automated incident detection (including “near misses”), automated monitoring, and associated data handling
However, this is not an exhaustive list, and Innovate UK will consider other areas of focus. Where this applies, you should also read the list of projects that Innovate UK will not fund.
Eligibility
Firstly, all projects should have total eligible costs between £25,000 and £1 million. Work should begin by 1st October 2021 and end by 31st March 2022, lasting between 3 and 6 months.
Secondly, the lead organisation must:
- Be a UK registered business of any size, a research organisation or a research and technology organisation (RTO)
- Be an autonomous driving systems (ADS) developer
- Have an existing automated driving system that has been tested and demonstrated on the UK public roads under the UK Code of Practice: Automated vehicle trialling (Feb 2019)
- Collaborate with other UK registered businesses, research organisations, public sector organisations or charities
- Collaborate with a potential autonomous vehicle service provider, or fleet customer who will operate the automated vehicles for example a local authority
- Carry out its project work in the UK and intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
This competition is open from Monday 28th June until Wednesday 28th July. For more information and to apply, visit the competition page. Alternatively, please contact us if you'd like to discuss your application with one of our advisers.
Sign up for our free monthly newsletter in order to receive the latest opportunities direct to your inbox.
DASA Launches Defence Innovation Loans for SMEs
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is introducing Defence Innovation Loans to find and fund solutions to defence themed problems. The new competition will receive support from Innovate UK.
Funding
A total of £10 million will be available this year. From this, SMEs can apply for loans of between £250,000 and £1.6 million. These loans can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs to aid the commercialisation of their innovative solution. They will have a below-market interest rate of 7.4% per annum and a maximum loan term of seven years.
Scope
The Defence Innovation Loan is open to innovative ideas to improve the defence of the UK, which can come from any area of technology. However, there must be a strong defence requirement for the capability. In addition, innovations must be at TRL 6 or above to ensure you can commercialise your solution within the time scale of the Innovation Loan.
Eligibility
To apply for a Defence Innovation Loan, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- Be a UK registered SME
- Intend to exploit the results in the UK or overseas to make a significant and positive impact on the UK economy and/or productivity
- Give evidence that your business is suitable to take on a loan
As a result, individuals, academic institutions, research organisations and large companies are not eligible to apply for Defence Innovation Loans.
How to Apply
There are two elements to the Defence Innovation Loan application: firstly, an Innovation Proposal – submitted through the DASA submission service and secondly, an Innovation Loan Request Application (Business and Financial Assessment) – submitted through Innovate UK. The first deadline for applications is 11th August, with another to follow on 20th October.
For more information, please see the competition document. Alternatively, contact RedKnight if you’re looking for external support with the Innovation Proposal.
If you're looking for grant funding, you may also be interested in DASA’s Open Call for Innovation.
DASA Launches £2 Million ‘Space to Innovate’ Campaign
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a ‘Space to Innovate’ campaign in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Space Programme.
The campaign aims to promote space resilience and operational effectiveness. Therefore, it seeks proposals for the development of new space technologies that will enhance and protect space military and civil potential. In contrast to other DASA competitions, the ‘Space to Innovate’ campaign comprises space-related challenges that will be released in “drops” throughout 2021 and 2022.
Alpha Challenge Drop
The first challenge drop is open until 4th August 2021. It focuses on two challenges:
Challenge 1: Visualisation tools to enable space operators to exploit information gathered from multiple data sources
Firstly, DASA is looking for novel solutions that could help to address the following issues:
- enhancing the situational awareness around an object
- understanding and monitoring manoeuvres and changes of objects in orbit
- streamlining ingestion issues with multiple data sources and different naming conventions
- using machine learning to enhance our understanding and interrogation of the data presented & make sense of results
- visualising uncertainty in data
Contracts of up to £125,000 are available for projects that last no longer than six months. By the end of the contract, projects should reach TRL 3-6.
Challenge 2: Novel methods for characterising objects in space and their intent
Secondly, DASA is interested in proposals that help to characterise objects in space and their intent, including:
- detecting changes of state (e.g. translational manoeuvres, transmissions, attitude changes, form factors, spawned objects, ‘active / inactive’) and predicting future changes
- exploiting non-traditional sensor configurations including bi- or multi-static configurations and the repurposing of existing facilities
- technologies that allow resolution of individual features on an observed satellite, inferring information regarding payloads
- observing the interaction and cooperation between satellites in formation in LEO or geostationary Earth orbit (GEO)
- satellite overflight warning of Earth observation missions (featuring electro-optical, synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence or other technologies) primarily in LEO
- asset protection for high-value satellites operating in GEO
Funded projects should again reach TRL 3-6. Contracts of up to £125,000, £200,000 and £400,000 are available for this challenge, depending on project length.
For more information on both of the challenges, please see the competition document. If you’re thinking of applying but need bid writing support, contact us to arrange a free consultation.
Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter in order to receive the latest grant funding opportunities direct to your inbox.