Details of current open competitions for innovate UK funding

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INNOVATE UK - COMPETITION OPEN / CLOSE DATES & SUMMARY
Energy game changer - (Pages 4 - 5)
Competition for technical feasibility study funding
Opens: 29 Mar 2016
Registration closes: 04 May 2016
Closes: 11 May 2016
Programme: Launchpad
Digital innovation in the sharing economy - (Pages 6 - 8)
Opens: 07 Mar 2016
Registration closes: No deadline
Closes: 12 Apr 2016
Programme: IC tomorrow
New vaccines for global epidemics: development and manufacture (Pages 9-11)
Competition for Small Business Research Initiative funding
Opens: 29 Feb 2016
Registration closes: 27 Apr 2016
Closes: 04 May 2016
Programme: SBRI
Synthetic biology for novel materials - (Pages 12 - 13)
Competition for Small Business Research Initiative funding
Opens: 21 Jan 2016
Registration closes: No deadline
Closes: 14 Apr 2016
Programme: SBRI

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Detection and treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus - (Pages 14 - 15)
Competition for Small Business Research Initiative funding
Opens: 21 Jan 2016
Registration closes: No deadline
Closes: 21 Apr 2016
Programme: SBRI
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships- (Pages 16 - 17)
Scheme to help businesses innovate and grow
Opens: 24 Nov 2015
Registration closes: No deadline
Closes: 31 Mar 2017
Programme: Knowledge Transfer Partnership
India–UK collaborative industrial research and development competition:
Clean-tech, affordable healthcare and ICT- (Pages 18 - 19)
Competition for R&D funding
Opens: 09 Nov 2015
Registration closes: 13 Apr 2016
Closes: 20 Apr 2016
Programme: International Programme

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Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Strategic Research and Technology
Projects- (Pages 20 - 21)
Research and technology projects
Opens: 01 Apr 2013
Registration closes: No deadline
Closes: 31 Mar 2020
Programme: Collaborative research and
development

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Energy game changer
 Status: Open
 Key features: Investment of up to £2 million in technical feasibility studies to
encourage new entrants to the energy sector and stimulate the adoption of disruptive
technologies.
 Programme: Launchpad
 Award: Up to £2 million
 Opens: 29 Mar 2016, 09:00
 Registration closes: 04 May 2016, 12:00
 Closes: 11 May 2016, 12:00
 Support phone number: 0300 321 4357
 Registration is required to enter this competition. Please note that registration will
close 1 week before the competition application deadline.
SUMMARY
Innovate UK is to invest up to £1.5 million in technical feasibility studies to encourage
new entrants to the energy sector and stimulate the adoption of disruptive
technologies. Up to a further £500,000 is also available from the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for support of relevant projects.
The aim of this competition is to find innovative solutions to long-standing challenges
faced by the energy sector. Innovate UK believe that game- changing technologies
can solve these problems, either by the development of completely new ideas or
through technology transfer from other sectors. They are therefore seeking
proposals that are led by innovative SMEs, which can provide disruptive solutions to
the challenges that are in the scope of the competition.
In order to encourage novel and radical solutions, projects must be led by an SME
whose main business lies outside the energy sector. They can work alone or
collaboratively with partners of any size from any sector.

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Small businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible project costs, medium-
sized businesses up to 60% and large business partners up to 50%. It would be
expected that projects last 6 to 12 months and to range in size from total costs of
£25,000 to £100,000, although they may consider projects outside this range.
Scope
This competition will fund projects led by SMEs whose main business lies outside
the energy sector.
Applications are particularly
encouraged from businesses
engaged in, but not limited to:
Innovate UK will also welcome
technology transfer proposals from
other sectors, such as:
 inspection
 ICT
 digital
 sensors
 virtual reality
 gaming
 robotics
 autonomous systems
 advanced materials
 manufacturing
 defence
 aerospace
 automotive
 telecommunications
 forensics
 medical
 space
 creative industries
Innovate UK are looking for radical, innovative and cost-effective ideas that
contribute completely, or in part, to solving any of the following challenges in oil and
gas, nuclear or energy systems.
 Taking inspection to the limit
 Dealing with data
 Engaging in energy
Key dates
Competition opens 29 March 2016
Briefing event 6 April 2016
Registration deadline noon 4 May 2016
Deadline for video submissions noon 11 May 2016
Deadline for invited written proposals noon 7 July 2016
Pitch sessions 5–7 September 2016
Further guidance available includes:
 Energy game changer - competition brief
 Energy game changer - competition guidance
 Information webinar held on 11th December – recording

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Digital innovation in the sharing
economy
 Status: Open
 Key features: Innovate UK is offering 6 businesses up to £30,000 (excluding VAT)
each to encourage innovation in the sharing economy, across the themes of trust,
tourism and travel, opening up new sectors, home improvement, construction, and
data and analytics.
 Programme: IC tomorrow
 Award: Up to £30,000 for each project
 Opens: 07 Mar 2016, 09:00
 Registration closes: No deadline
 Closes: 12 Apr 2016, 12:00
 Support phone number: 0300 321 4357
SUMMARY
Innovate UK is offering 6 businesses up to £30,000 (excluding VAT) each to
encourage innovation in the sharing economy, across the themes of trust, tourism
and travel, opening up new sectors, home improvement, construction, and data and
analytics.
The contest
Through their IC tomorrow programme, Innovate UK are looking for proposals from
companies with innovative digital ideas relevant to the sharing economy. The
companies will not only benefit from funding, but also have the opportunity to
collaborate with commercial partners to accelerate development of their
technologies.
Innovate UK want to see digital solutions with potential appeal to a wide commercial
market. Successful applicants will be expected to trial their proposed solutions with
their industry partners for at least 3 months.

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The challenges
They are looking for innovative solutions to address one of their 6 contest challenges
within the themes of trust, tourism and travel, opening up new sectors, home
improvement, construction, and data and analytics. The solutions should explore
ways of stimulating growth in digital innovation in the sharing economy.
Challenge 1
 Trust in the sharing economy
 Partner: Sharing Economy UK
Challenge 2
 Next-generation tourism and travel in the sharing economy
 Partner: Airbnb
Challenge 3
 New sectors for the sharing economy
 Partner: Nesta
Challenge 4
 Sharing innovation in home improvement
 Partner: Kingfisher (owner of brands such as B&Q and Castorama)
Challenge 5
 Sustainable construction
 Partner: Crossrail
Challenge 6
 Data and analytics for sharing economy cities
 Partners: Peterborough City Council and Cranfield University
NOTE: Standard guidance rules do not apply to this competition, please refer to
specific guidance.

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Key dates
Contest opens Monday 7 March 2016
Briefing event
Wednesday 16 March 2016 –
London
Submission deadline noon Tuesday 12 April 2016
Finalists notified Friday 6 May 2016
Practice pitch sessions held in
London
Tuesday 10 May 2016 – for all
finalists
Monday 16 May 2016 – one-to-one
sessions
Tuesday 17 May 2016 – one-to-one
sessions
Final panel session Thursday 26 May 2016
Winners announced Friday 3 June 2016
Trials launched spring 2017
Further guidance available includes:
 Digital innovation in the sharing economy - competition brief
 Digital innovation in the sharing economy - competition guidance

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New vaccines for global epidemics:
development and manufacture
 Status: Open
 Key features: The Department of Health is to invest up to £10 million in two
competition streams in line with the priorities identified by the UK Vaccine Network.
 Programme: SBRI
 Award: Up to £10 million
 Opens: 29 Feb 2016, 00:00
 Registration closes: 27 Apr 2016, 12:00
 Closes: 04 May 2016, 12:00
 Support phone number: 0300 321 4357
SUMMARY
The Department of Health is to invest up to £10 million in two competition streams
in line with the priorities identified by the UK Vaccine Network.
This SBRI competition aims to stimulate the development of:
 vaccine for priority infectious diseases
 vaccine platform technology
 manufacturing technologies that would allow for the rapid manufacture of
vaccines in low-income settings
The competition will be in 2 streams.
In stream 1 up to £6 million is available for exploring scientific and technical
feasibility. This stream is mainly aimed at the development of vaccines and vaccine
technology that is still some way from being ready to be used in phase I human
trials. Individual contracts will be for up to £500,000, to be spent within 12 months of
contract award. Depending on the success of projects from this stream, the
Department of Health will consider further major awards to progress product
development.

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In stream 2 up to £4 million is available to projects at a more advanced stage of
development. This stream is mainly aimed at candidate vaccines that are now, or will
soon be, ready for phase I human trials and manufacturing technology that could
potentially be commercially viable in the near future. Individual contracts for this
stream will be for £500,000 to £1 million, to be spent within 18 months of contract
award. Projects with higher or lower costs will also be considered on a case-by-case
basis.
The competition is open to all organisations that can demonstrate that their product
or work has a realistic route to market, whether in the short or long term. Successful
organisations will attract a 100% funded development contract.This competition is
wholly funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA). This means that while
work on projects can be carried out in high-income countries, there must be a clear
explanation of how the research/project will benefit those in low-income countries.
The Department of Health recognises that there is no time to lose in the
development of candidate vaccines, vaccine platform technology and vaccine
manufacturing technology to combat priority infectious diseases. As such, there is
particular interest in projects that can begin rapidly and have the potential to spend
significant amounts of the contract award in calendar year 2016.
Scope
This competition will support projects seeking to develop vaccines, vaccine platform
technologies and manufacturing technologies that will enable an effective, rapid
response during future outbreaks of the following pathogens: Chikungunya,
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Dengue Virus, Ebola, Hantavirus, Lassa,
Marburg, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Nipah, Plague, Q Fever, Rift Valley
Fever and Zika.
Please note in this competition projects covering the following are not funded:
 new agents/technologies not related to the diseases listed above
 discovery of wholly new immunisation agents
 development of agents for animal disease that cannot demonstrate a clear
impact on human health
Key dates
Competition opens 29 February 2016
Briefing event 11 March 2016
Registration deadline 27 April 2016 noon
Deadline for applications 4 May 2016 noon
Contracts awarded September 2016

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Further guidance available includes:
 New vaccines for global epidemics: development and manufacture -
competition brief
 New vaccines for global epidemics: development and manufacture -
invitation to tender
 New vaccines for global epidemics: development and manufacture - FAQs
 New vaccines for global epidemics: development and manufacture -
competition guidance
 New vaccines for global epidemics: development and manufacture –
11th
March webinar recording

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Synthetic biology for novel materials
 Status: Open
 Key features: This CDE themed competition seeks ambitious concepts to exploit the
power of biological systems to make complex materials and the fundamental tools of
molecular biology to manipulate such systems.
 Programme: SBRI
 Award: £750,000 of funding is available for this Phase 1 competition. Up to £3
million will also be made available for Phase 2
 Opens: 21 Jan 2016, 00:00
 Registration closes: No deadline
Closes: 14 Apr 2016, 17:00 (Proposals must be submitted to CDE's online portal.)
 Support phone number: 03067 704236
SUMMARY
The Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) funds
innovative research that could lead to a cost-effective capability advantage for UK
armed forces and national security.
£750,000 of funding is available for this Phase 1 competition. Up to £3 million will
also be made available for Phase 2. Funding will be considered on a per-project
basis.
This CDE themed competition is looking for synthetic biology approaches to produce
novel materials to address defence challenges. Novel materials with enhanced
performance in a variety of applications will enhance defence and security, while
also having civilian, commercial uses.

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This Phase 1 competition seeks proposals for short-term, highly innovative, proof-of-
concept research that bring together multidisciplinary teams of researchers who use
synthetic biology in the design and/or development of next-generation structural and
functional materials.
Proposals that aim to address the technical challenges associated with developing
the following solutions will be of particular interest:
 protective applications, such as novel armour solutions
 self-healing materials
 enhanced resistance to corrosion
 novel adhesives.
Further details and call documentation can be accessed via the CDE website
Application Process and supporting downloads
This competition is run by the Centre for Defence Enterprise, which has its own
application process and terms and conditions.

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Detection and treatment of hearing
loss and tinnitus
 Status: Open
 Key features: This CDE themed competition seeks proof of concept research
proposals to develop solutions that monitor, diagnose, treat and restore noise-
induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
 Programme: SBRI
 Award: Up to £500,000
 Opens: 21 Jan 2016, 00:00
 Registration closes: No deadline
 Closes: 21 Apr 2016, 17:00 (Proposals must be submitted to CDE's online portal.)
 Support phone number: 03067 704236
SUMMARY
The Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) funds
innovative research that could lead to a cost-effective capability advantage for UK
armed forces and national security.
£500,000 of funding is available for this Phase 1 competition. Up to £500,000 will
also be made available for Phase 2. Funding will be considered on a per-project
basis.
The health and wellbeing of armed forces personnel throughout their career is vitally
important; one area of particular concern is the potential for hearing loss and tinnitus;
specifically, noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

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Many employees in the UK and worldwide are exposed to potentially harmful noise
levels at work, but in military service it's loud, impulsive noise that's a specific
occupational hazard. Effects can be short term or chronic, resulting in permanent
hearing loss and debilitating tinnitus. It can have adverse consequences for the
individual's operational service and, in some instances, can be life changing.
For MOD, there are significant consequences associated with safety,
communications and degradation of operational forces. MOD has a duty of care to
prevent injury by using protective measures; but also needs to maintain operational
effectiveness when injury does occur by diagnosing and treating as early and as
effectively as possible.
This CDE themed competition has 2 challenges:
 Monitor and diagnose: they require proof-of-concept research proposals to
develop technologies to identify those at risk of injury to hearing, diagnose
hearing loss early, and objectively measure tinnitus.
 Treat and restore: they require proof-of-concept research proposals to
develop interventions to stop hearing deterioration and/or restore hearing.
Further details and call documentation can be accessed via CDE's website
Application Process and supporting downloads
This competition is run by the Centre for Defence Enterprise, which has its own
application process and terms and conditions.

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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
 Status: Open
 Key features: Scheme to help businesses innovate and grow by linking them with a
university and a graduate to work on a specific project.
 Programme: Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
 Award: Varied
 Opens: 24 Nov 2015, 15:00
 Registration closes: No deadline
 Closes: 31 Mar 2017, 15:00
 Support phone number: 0300 321 4357
SUMMARY
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme helps businesses to innovate
and grow. It does this by linking them with a university and a graduate to work on a
specific project.
Each KTP is a three-way partnership between a business, an academic institution
and a graduate. The academic institution employs the recently-qualified graduate
who works at the company. The graduate, known as the ‘associate', brings new skills
and knowledge to the business.
A KTP can last between 12 and 36 months depending on the project and the needs
of the business. It is part-funded by a grant. The amount businesses need to
contribute is different for SMEs and larger companies.
2016 close dates for submission are:
 11 May 2016
 6 July 2016
 7 September 2016
 2 November 2016

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Applying for innovation funding
 you can apply as a business if you are a company of any size or a not-for-
profit organisation
 you can apply as an academic partner if you are a university, college or
research technology organisation
 you can apply as an associate if you are a high-calibre recent graduate. You
must have the knowledge and skills to lead an innovative and strategic
business project
KTP for businesses
A KTP is part-funded by a grant. You will need to contribute to the cost of the
supervisor and the salary of the associate. The amount you will need to contribute
depends on the scale and length of the project. It will also depend on the size of your
company.
If you already have a working relationship with a university, you should contact them.
Otherwise, you should get in touch with your local KTP adviser.
They will check the feasibility of your idea and tell you if it is suitable. They can also
help you find the right academic or researcher to work on your project.
KTP for academics
Contact the KTP office at your university to find out how to take part. They will work
with you and the business to scope out the project. They will also help you with your
application to Innovate UK.
KTP for graduates
You should contact the KTP office at your university to find out how to take part. You
can also find adverts for the latest KTP vacancies online and in:
 university departments
 career offices
 recruitment websites
 local newspapers

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India–UK collaborative industrial
research and development
competition: Clean-tech, affordable
healthcare and ICT
 Status: Open
 Key features: Innovate UK and the Government of India are to invest up to £3.4
million in collaborative industrial research and development projects that propose
new commercial solutions to critical challenges impacting the socio-economic growth
and development of India in relation to its clean-tech, healthcare and ICT sectors.
 Programme: International Programme
 Award: Up to £3.4 million
 Opens: 09 Nov 2015, 00:00
 Registration closes: 13 Apr 2016, 12:00
 Closes: 20 Apr 2016, 12:00
 Support phone number: 0300 321 4357
SUMMARY
Innovate UK and the Government of India are to invest up to £3.4 million in
collaborative industrial research and development projects that propose new
commercial solutions to critical challenges impacting the socio-economic growth and
development of India in relation to its clean-tech, healthcare and ICT sectors.
The UK investment has been made possible through the Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills-managed Newton Fund.

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The aim of the competition is to bring together companies (small to medium-sized
companies and/or larger businesses), research organisations, academics and other
collaborators from India and the UK for the joint research and development of new
solutions to key socio-economic challenges, in the form of innovative products,
processes or services. The principal market a project must consider is India.
Projects must be collaborative, involving both UK and Indian participants with both a
UK lead partner and an Indian lead partner. On the UK side, the lead partner must
be a business but other businesses or research organisations can collaborate as
partners in the consortium. The lead partner in India must be a business. Academic
institutions, research hospitals, other R&D institutes that are headquartered and
operate in India are encouraged to participate as co-investigators/partners.
We expect to fund mainly industrial research projects. For UK participants, small or
micro businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible project costs, medium-
sized businesses 60% and large businesses 50%.
We expect total UK project costs to range in size from £350,000 to £450,000, and for
projects to last for up to 24 months.
The UK lead partner must submit an application on behalf of the entire consortium to
Innovate UK. The Indian lead partner must submit an identical application, again on
behalf of all participants, to the Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA).
Key dates
Competition opens 9 November 2015
Deadline for registration noon UK time 13 April 2016
Deadline for applications noon UK time 20 April 2016
Supporting documents & links
 India–UK collaborative industrial research and development competition -
competition guidance
 Recording of 17 November briefing webinar

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Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI)
Strategic Research and Technology
Projects
 Status: Open
 Key features: The purpose of the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) funding
programme is to identify industrial research projects in areas aligned with the ATI
strategy. Innovate UK is a delivery partner in this funding programme.
 Programme: Collaborative research and development
 Award:
 Opens: 01 Apr 2013, 00:00
 Registration closes: No deadline
 Closes: 31 Mar 2020, 12:00
 Support phone number: 0300 321 4357
SUMMARY
The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) R&D programme is a joint Government
and Industry investment. The programme is coordinated and managed by the
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Innovate UK and ATI working in
collaboration:
 ATI ensures that projects are consistent with the technology strategy and
deliver maximum economic potential for the UK, providing strategic advice to
BIS on its part of the investment
 BIS is accountable for the final decision regarding investments from
Government, as well as performing value for money assessments when
required
 Innovate UK is the delivery partner for ATI R&D programmes, performing
independent assessment, issuing and managing contracts, and monitoring
projects.

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Supporting documents & links
 Innovate UK competition guidance
Application process
To facilitate smooth passage, prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss their
ideas with ATI as early as possible before developing initial outlines (as part of stage
1) to understand fit, clarify requirements and explore potential for broader
opportunities that both BIS and ATI may be aware of, as well as supporting a long-
term planning.
Contact to discuss a potential project submission can be made in writing
to engage@ati.org.uk or through established ATI and BIS contacts.
Deadlines
Batch deadlines include:
 23 September 2015 12 noon
 13 January 2016 12 noon