£3m available to fund innovative solutions to public sector challenges
7 Apr 2014 03:50 PM
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.
Websites
Business
Wales Event Finder