Welsh Government
 Printable version
|
£3m available to fund innovative solutions to public sector challenges
The Welsh Government is calling on public sector organisations, looking for new and novel solutions to challenges they face, to apply for a share of £3m in the second phase of a new fund
Last year projects to improve patient care, energy efficiency in historic buildings and reduce the impact of livestock on the environment were among those to receive funding through the three-year Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Innovation Catalyst Programme.
The second phase of project, funded by the Welsh Government and the Technology Strategy Board, has a pot of £3m available for new projects. The programme aims to boost the research and development industry, increase commercialisation of new technologies and create jobs and wealth.
Expressions of interest will be assessed by a panel and those with the greatest potential will be put forward in a UK-wide SBRI competition – which sees development contracts awarded to businesses with promising ideas to solving their specific challenges.
The SBRI process begins with a public body identifying a specific challenge, which is then turned into an open competition for new technologies and ideas from businesses. Through Welsh Government involvement, the Innovation Catalyst Programme is aiming to stimulate participation in SBRI competitions from Welsh public sector organisations and businesses.
The programme aims to drive innovation in the four areas:
- Life Sciences and Health
- Low Carbon, Energy and Environment
- Advanced Engineering and Materials
- ICT and the Digital Economy
Minister for Economy and Science, Edwina Hart, said:
“The aim of the Small Business Research Initiative Innovation Catalyst Programme is to drive innovation in public services and offer opportunities for businesses to win contracts to help grow the Welsh R&D industry and increase commercialisation of new technologies. By encouraging new innovative public sector projects, this programme will create more research and development contracts for Welsh businesses to bid for, helping that sector to grow and create jobs.
The first round of this programme generated a lot of interest across the Welsh public sector, and led to a number of innovative projects receiving funding. Wales is home to thousands of businesses working on pioneering technologies which could be used to meet challenges in life sciences, environment engineering and IT across the public sector. I would encourage public sector organisations to come forward with ideas to drive this programme.”
There are two briefing events taking place for anyone interested in taking part in the programme:
- 6 May Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff, 9:00 – 12:30
- 8 May Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndwr University, Wrexham, 13:00 – 16:30
For further details e-mail innovation@wales.gsi.gov.uk or to register for the event please visit the Event Finder on the Business Wales website.
