GovWire

Innovate UK has up to 15 million to invest in business projects that seek solutions to technical and commercial challenges in the field of manufacturing and materials.

The UK is the 9th largest producer in the world with an output of $247 billion, and new manufacturing processes and materials can be a source of global competitive advantage.

This competition aims to support projects that lead to increased productivity, competitiveness and growth for UK businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones.

Projects must cover one of the following areas:

• innovation in a manufacturing system, technology, process or business model. For example, in process engineering, industrial biotechnology, mechanical conversion processes, coatings, surface engineering, textiles, supply chain management, new product introduction processes or remanufacture
• innovation in materials development, properties, integration or reuse. For example, for light-weighting, energy generation and storage (heat and electricity), electronics/sensors or operation in demanding environments

Materials could include nanomaterials,ceramics,metals and inter-metallics, polymers, composites, coatings, smart materials and joining of dissimilar materials.

Competition information

• the competition opens on 21 November 2016, and the deadline for registration is at noon on 18 January 2017
• we expect to support a range of project types lasting between 6 months and 3 years and with total costs of between 50,000 and 2 million
• projects must be led by a business and involve at least one SME
• projects lasting more than 12 months or with costs of more than 100,000 must involve 2 or more partners working together
• businesses could attract up to 70% of their total project costs
• a briefing event for potential applicants will be held on 23 November 2016

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