£5m Available for UK/Taiwan Collaborative Innovation
Innovate UK in collaboration with Taiwan's Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), has announced a new funding opportunity aimed at fostering international cooperation in industrial research. With up to £5 million available for innovation projects, this initiative seeks to unite UK and Taiwanese expertise to drive technological advancements and commercial success in several cutting-edge sectors.
Competition Overview
This funding competition is designed to support collaborative research and development (CR&D) projects that are business-led and focused on creating new products, services, or industrial processes. Projects must be innovative, involve technological risk, and demonstrate high market potential. Importantly, each project must include at least one partner from the UK and one from Taiwan, with funding for UK participants provided by Innovate UK and for Taiwanese partners by DoIT.
Key Sectors and Technologies
The competition prioritises projects in several high-impact sectors, reflecting the latest trends in technology and market demands:
- Smart Technology: This includes next-generation communication technologies, semiconductor technology, and advancements in space technology.
- Green Energy Technologies: Focus areas include electric vehicles, hydrogen transportation, renewable energy solutions, future grids, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
- Smart Manufacturing: Enhancing automation and digital integration in manufacturing processes.
- Biotechnology: Projects might involve the development of medical materials and devices that can transform healthcare.
- Service Innovation: This sector encompasses the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and the latest in telecommunications standards, 5G and 6G.
Funding and Project Details
This competition closes at 11am (UK time) on the 17th July 2024. UK applicants can apply for a grant of up to £900,000 per project. Each project must:
- Request no more than £900,000 in grant funding.
- Start by January 1, 2025, and conclude by December 31, 2027.
- Last between 24 and 36 months.
- Perform the majority of their project work in the UK and plan to exploit the results domestically.
Consortium Requirements
Each consortium must include at least one business registered in Taiwan and ensure that all businesses are separate legal entities. This stipulation is key to fostering genuine collaboration across borders, as opposed to facilitating internal company research. The contribution of project costs must be balanced, with no single partner or country claiming more than 70% of the total project costs.
Innovation and Impact
Projects must demonstrate:
- A clear, disruptive innovative idea leading to new products, processes, or services.
- A robust business plan with documented market potential.
- Practical financial plans with clear timelines.
- Good value for money, which is a critical consideration in funding decisions.
- A plan to deliver significant economic impact and growth through commercialization soon after project completion.
- The benefits of UK and Taiwanese collaboration, detailing how international cooperation adds value.
- A well-defined IP strategy for the use and sharing of intellectual property created during the project.
- A clear route to market within two to three years of project completion.
What Next?
For a free consultation to discuss your project’s fit with the competition, please contact RedKnight today.
Pioneering Digital Transformation in UK Energy Networks
Innovate UK is investing £1.2 million dedicated to fostering collaborative projects that focus on the development of digital twins, enhancing data interoperability, and boosting cyber resilience across the nation's energy infrastructures.
This initiative is part of the broader "Building a Secure Resilient World" programme (BSRW), which aims to safeguard the critical infrastructure that powers our daily lives. The primary goal of this competition is to strengthen the cyber resilience of the UK’s energy networks through advanced digital solutions, particularly by supporting the creation and integration of digital twins.
What is a Digital Twin?
A digital twin is a digital replica of a physical entity, system, or process that can be used for simulation, analysis, and optimisation. This technology allows for detailed insight into the operation and potential vulnerabilities of energy networks, offering significant opportunities for improvement in both efficiency and security.
Competition Details and Requirements
The competition invites proposals that:
• Develop, support, or deliver digital twins within energy networks.
• Significantly improve the cyber resilience of these networks.
• Enhance the quality and interoperability of data across energy networks.
• Engage end-users throughout the development process and demonstrate testing in real-world conditions.
Eligible projects may also:
• Enable the development of digital twins specifically for energy networks.
• Improve the resilience of systems, technologies, data, and information within these networks.
• Foster increased collaboration among SMEs, energy networks, and researchers.
• Deliver products, services, or solutions with potential for commercialization.
• Help achieve the objectives of the UKRI’s BSRW programme.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are welcomed from SMEs specialising in:
• Cybersecurity
• Data interoperability
• Operational technologies
• Analytics and digital twins
SMEs from outside the energy sector are particularly encouraged to apply, highlighting the competition's focus on bringing innovative perspectives and technologies into the energy domain.
Funding Scope and Project Eligibility
The competition closes at 11am on 24th May 2024. Eligible projects should request grant funding between £100,000 and £300,000 and must be completed within 6 to 12 months. All project activities must occur within the UK, and the results must be exploited domestically. The projects should be ready to commence by 1st October 2024, and wrap up by 30th September 2025.
Alternative Funding and Competition Dynamics
Applicants are encouraged to explore other funding avenues, such as the OFGEM SIF competition, to maximize their potential sources of support. It’s crucial to understand that this competition is highly competitive, and funding is limited. Even highly scored projects may not secure funding if the available resources are exhausted.
What Next?
For a free consultation to discuss your project’s fit with the competition, contact RedKnight today.
DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: Analysing and Understanding Audiences
A new Themed Competition titled "Analysing and Understanding Audiences" has been initiated by DASA, supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). The competition aims to provide up to £1 million in funding for innovative concepts to analyse and comprehend audiences.
This competition, managed by DASA on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), aims to solicit proposals that can enhance the UK Defence's capacity in the area of "Analysing and Understanding Audiences." The emphasis is on pinpointing inventive tools, techniques, and methodologies that could assist in selecting, analysing, and comprehending audiences.
Areas of particular interest include:
- Audience Segmentation
- Behavioural Insight Assessment
- Narrative Assessment
- Information Environment Assessment (IEA)
- Human Environment Assessment
- Network Analysis
- Channel Analysis
- Information Packs
- Assessment Metrics
Key Dates and Funding:
Up to £1m is available to fund multiple proposals.
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday 30 May 2023.
Dial in sessions: 30 March 2023 and 4 April 2023
A series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions.
More Information:
For more information and registration, please check here.
RedKnight has a strong track record of securing Innovate UK funding! If you would like help in putting together a competitive proposal, contact us today.
Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2023
Join the 2023 Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme by applying now. Innovate UK KTN is seeking to choose a maximum of 15 SMEs for the programme with the aim of expediting their investment process.
If your small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) is involved in the battery industry and you aim to accelerate your investment efforts, we encourage you to apply. The Investment Readiness Programme will assist you in refining your pitch to investors, gaining a better understanding of funding opportunities, preparing your investment materials, and delivering a compelling commercial story with greater confidence.
Innovate UK KTN will spearhead the programme with support from the Faraday Battery Challenge, in addition to expert guidance from Mountside Ventures and Stronger Stories. Regular interactions with investors will be part of the programme, allowing you to navigate the fundraising process, build connections, and initiate your journey.
The chosen SMEs will participate in a 12-week workshop programme led by Innovate UK KTN and facilitated by professionals and investors, including one-on-one mentoring sessions. By the end of the programme, you will have crafted an investor pitch, refined your proposition, and gained a comprehensive understanding of your financials and future plans.
The programme will culminate in a live showcase event where the cohort will present to an audience of investors with an interest in the battery sector.
Eligibility :
- UK based SMEs
- Organisations active in battery technologies for transport and energy storage.
- Organisations across the battery value chain (including cell materials and components, cells, modules and packs, recycling & enabling technologies)
- The programme is open to new participants only. If you have participated in the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2021 and 2022 you will not be eligible to re-apply.
How to submit your application:
Step 1: Click on 'Submit Pitch Here' below
Step 2: Create a new account* by clicking on 'Need to create an account?'
Step 3: You can now start your application by clicking on the 'Submit Pitch Here' button
*this will enable you to save your application before you submit, revisit to modify your application before the deadline, and check the status of your application
Proposed timetable
- Deadline for applications: 5pm, 21st April 2023
- Application review and selection: 24th April 2023
- Cohort “get to know you”: w/c 1 May *(virtual)
- Workshop on Narrative and Storytelling: w/c 8th of May (live)
- Workshop on Funding Options and Strategy: w/c 15th of May (virtual)
- Pitch practice session: w/c 29th May (live)
- Panel to select companies to pitch at Showcase: w/c 7th of June (virtual)
- Showcase of selected companies to UK investors: w/c 10th July (live)
*The dates are subject to change. Additional sessions will be added to address the cohort’s needs; participation in these will be optional. Mentoring support will also be available throughout the programme.
More Information:
For more information and registration, please check here.
RedKnight has a strong track record of securing Innovate UK funding! If you would like help in putting together a competitive proposal, contact us today.
UK-South Korea Collaborative R&D Round 2
Up to £2 million will be invested in innovation projects through a collaboration between Innovate UK, which is a part of UK Research and Innovation, and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and Korean Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP).
This competition is designed to finance collaborative research and development (R&D) projects led by businesses, with a focus on industrial research. Its objective is to support innovative proposals that are jointly developed between the UK and South Korea.
At least one partner from the UK and one from South Korea must be included in the proposal. Organizations based in the UK must apply to and receive funding from Innovate UK.
Innovate UK will not provide any funding to the South Korean partner. Rather, South Korean partners must apply for and receive funding from either KIAT or KETEP, depending on the focus sector of the project:
KIAT
- advanced manufacturing and materials
- artificial intelligence
- future mobility (including battery technologies)
KETEP
- energy storage system
- Hydrogen
Your project must:
- have a maximum grant funding request of no more than £500,000
- start by 1 November 2023
- end by 30 October 2026
- last between 24 and 36 months
Your project must demonstrate:
- a clear game changing or disruptive innovative idea leading to new products, processes or services
- a strong and deliverable business plan that addresses and documents market potential and needs
- sound, practical financial plans and timelines
- good value for money which will always be a consideration in Innovate UK funding decisions
- 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 or national productivity
- the benefits 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
Competition closes: Wednesday 7 June 2023 11:00am
Applicants notified: 14 August 2023
More Information:
The applications are open until 3 May 2023 11:00am. For more information and registration, please check here.
RedKnight 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.
Horizon Europe guarantee: application and grant offer statistics
On behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is delivering the statistic for 'Horizon Europe guarantee'.
This data is updated each month and includes the total number of:
- verified applications submitted to UKRI, and the total grant value requested in these applications
- grant offer letters issued to applicants, and the value of the grant offers issued.
The data is also divided according to the method used by UKRI to apply for the guarantee funds.
Number of applications and grant offers made through the Horizon Europe guarantee up to 28 February 2023.
| Guarantee grant type | Applications submitted and verified | Value of grants requested in verified applications | Grant offer letters issued | Value of grant offers issued |
| Collaborative Horizon Europe guarantee grants (hosted on Innovation Funding Service) | 1,387 | £614.0 million | 1,206 | £500.9 million |
| European Research Council guarantee grants | 211 | £304.4 million | 210 | £301.6 million |
| Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions guarantee grants | 359 | £82.1 million | 347 | £80.3 million |
| Total | 1,957 | £1,000.5 million | 1,763 | £882.8 million
|
Apply for Horizon Europe guarantee funding
Although the UK is in the process of associating with the programme, the "Horizon Europe guarantee" scheme offers funds to academics and innovators who are unable to get their Horizon Europe grant. UKRI is distributing the cash through its grant mechanisms.
To be eligible you must:
- be based in the UK
- have been successful at applying for a Horizon Europe grant with final submission deadlines on or before 30 June 2023
- have been included on the initial grant proposal as a ‘beneficiary’ with an assigned budget
Before you submit your application for "multi-beneficiary funds," the coordinator and the European Commission must have signed your grant agreement.
For "mono-beneficiary grants," the Commission's financing offer must have been withdrawn, or you must send a letter saying that the "grant agreement preparation" process with the Commission has been terminated.
Follow the specific guidance for your type of grant here: UKRI guidance for the Horizon Europe guarantee scheme.
Source: UK Research and Innovation
DASA launches two new Innovation Focus Areas
In order to achieve strategic goals, the Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre (DAIC) will enhance the capability of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to use artificial intelligence (AI) effectively. A new Innovation Focus Area (IFA), Artificial Intelligence for Defence, is being launched by Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and Defence AI Centre (DAIC). A purpose of this IFA is to invite proposals for innovative research projects aiming to implement AI within Defence and/or to overcome common barriers to implementing AI. This IFA seeks to use a variety of AI advances, including autonomous logistics, machine-speed decision-making, and human-machine teaming for military purposes, to significantly advance defence.
Applying AI to address defence challenges:
The UK's aim to adapt and utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) at pace and scale for defence advantage is outlined in the Defence AI Strategy (DAIS). This IFA gives innovators the chance to recommend AI projects to defence in an effort to bring the best ideas from a diverse range of innovators. By using AI application to address defense challenges, the UK and its allies will be capable to maintain an advantage in defence and security. Defence is willing to utilize the efficiency gains that AI is delivering to a variety of other industries. Examples of intended outcomes from AI include changes in:
- the quality and timeliness of intelligence data available to military commanders
- the effectiveness in planning and conducting operations
- reducing the risk to life of armed forces personnel through the use of uncrewed, autonomous platforms
- automating routine tasks to free defence personnel up to do higher value activities
- achieving better value for the taxpayer by making the business of defence more efficient
DASA and DAIC are interested in funding proposals that bring significant benefits to defence through the use of AI.
- autonomous logistics and any research with the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of the logistics chain or increase availability
- exploiting operational data, e.g., to support intelligence analysis, or to protect the force. This could require using open-source data or classified data from any source, including sensors; if the exploitation of the innovation is likely to use classified data, your proposal would benefit from considering how this could be achieved (please note that no classified data will be provided)
- human-machine teaming for military effect (including the use of autonomous systems within the force, and the coordination of multiple crewed / autonomous systems)
- machine-speed decision making (e.g., to support operational planning and command and control)
- increasing efficiency, or how defence manages and supports its people and its systems
Read the full IFA and submit a proposal.
Source: Defence and Security Accelerator, www.gov.uk
Has the UK-Horizon Europe Association reached a breakthrough?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says, the moment the Protocol agreement is approved, negotiations on the UK rejoining the science research programme can start.
In an effort to resolve the problems affecting post-Brexit trade and regulations in Northern Ireland, the president of the European Commission and Rishi Sunak have reached a "in principle" agreement to revise the protocol.
Additionally, Ms. von der Leyen claimed that approval of the Windsor Framework would make it possible for the UK to rejoin the €95.5 billion (£84.1 billion) Horizon programme. "This Windsor Framework is fantastic news for scientists and researchers in the European Union and in the UK," she told a press conference in Windsor.
Academics, lobbyists, and politicians are urging the two sides to complete affiliation as quickly as possible after 18 months of uncertainty as it appears that the main barrier to the UK joining Horizon Europe has been removed.
According to MEP Christian Ehler, a rapporteur for Horizon Europe in the European Parliament, the Windsor framework was a significant development in the relationship between the EU and the UK. “If a large majority in Westminster supports this agreement, the UK will once again be a trustworthy partner for the EU, and we must immediately complete the UK's association with Horizon Europe”, he said.
The UK government has consistently pledged that researchers and firms will get at least as much money from the EU initiative during the 2021–27 EU budget term if the UK is permanently excluded from Horizon Europe. In accordance with the TCA (Trade and Cooperation Agreement) , the UK would be permitted to take part in the Copernicus earth and space observation initiative in exchange for making an annual financing contribution of about €2 billion.
Sources: SCIENCE|BUSINESS, iNews, EURACTIV
Sustainable bio-based materials and manufacture: CR&D
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £12 million for this competition. The funding is intended to support projects that can demonstrate how the use of biomanufacture based products can reduce waste and carbon emissions, as well as improve the efficiency of the production process. Ultimately, the goal is to create more sustainable products that have a positive environmental impact.
The goal of this challenge is to create and implement innovative, disruptive, sustainable biomanufacturing by 2050. enhancing the UK's ability to compete globally by encouraging cooperative research and development (CR&D) across various industries and sectors.
Businesses and researchers will be able to collaborate on projects to create more innovative and sustainable bio-based products, biotechnology processes, and products.
Your project must:
- have total costs between £300,000 and £1 million
- start by 1 October 2023
- end by 30 September 2025
- last between 12 and 24 months
- be collaborative
- carry out all of its project work in the UK
- intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
In accordance with current restrictions, Russian, Belarusian, or Myanmar organisation cannot serve as the lead, partner, or subcontractor in any procurement, commercial, business development, or supply chain activity funded by this competition. All Russian, Belarusian, and Myanmar goods and services fall under this category.
Your proposal must support organisations in biomanufacturing in the future to be:
- net zero and resource efficient
- resilient and responsive
- technologically advanced and digital
Your project must address the challenge of developing innovations in sustainable biomanufacturing processes like:
- increasing the use of bio-based feedstocks
- using biotechnology for alternative bio-based chemical replacements including low carbon polymers and, liquid and gaseous fuels for transport, heating and renewable energy
- enhancing the sustainability profile of biotechnology processes
- innovative use and re-use of renewable feedstocks
- biotechnology-based manufacture processes for sustainable and circular products with whole systems approach
- consideration of broader life cycle thinking
Competition opens: Tuesday 7 March 2023
Competition closes: Wednesday 3 May 2023 11:00am
More Information:
The applications are open until Wednesday 3 May 2023 11:00am. For more information and registration, please check here.
RedKnight has a strong track record of securing Innovate UK funding! If you would like help in putting together a competitive proposal, contact us today.
Energy Catalyst Round 10: Early, Mid and Late Stage
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will collaborate with Innovate UK, a division of UK Research and Innovation, to invest up to £10 million in innovation initiatives. This funding is part of the Ayrton Fund.
This contest aims to quicken the innovations required to expand or improve clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or the Indo-Pacific regions. In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13, an equitable and inclusive energy transition must be established, and all people must benefit from clean energy.
Your proposal must focus on:
- improving energy access in Official Development Assistance (ODA)eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Indo-Pacific regions
- having a technology or business model which is affordable, reliable and low carbon
This competition is split into 3 strands:
- Energy Catalyst Round 10 – early-stage
- Energy Catalyst Round 10 – mid-stage
- Energy Catalyst Round 10 – late-stage
More Information:
The applications are open until Wednesday 28 June 2023 12:00pm. For more information and registration, please check here.
RedKnight has a strong track record of securing Innovate UK funding! If you would like help in putting together a competitive proposal, contact us today.