Energy innovation: extra £10 million for business projects

8 Jun 2016 02:14 PM

Businesses with early stage, 12 month projects are invited to apply for an extra £10 million from the Energy Catalyst.

Innovative businesses and researchers from any sector can apply for a share of an extra £10 million for the Energy Catalyst competition.

The money is in addition to:

• up to £6 million already committed by the Department for International Development (DFID)
• up to £3 million committed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Proposed projects should address the 3 major challenges facing the energy industry:

• low carbon
• security of supply
• affordability

The additional funding is available for the early-stage award – technical feasibility.

Competition information

• applicants for early-stage awards must register before noon on 7 September 2016
• the competition is open to businesses and to research organisations collaborating with a business
• total eligible project costs could be up to £300,000
• projects must last no longer than 12 months
• the amount of funding a business can attract varies between 25% and 70% according to the type of award and the size of the business

Find out more about this competition.

Register and apply online.

About the Energy Catalyst

The aim of the Energy Catalyst is to speed up the best of UK innovation at all development stages. It helps businesses progress their innovations to commercial readiness.

Innovate UK, EPSRC and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) set up the Energy Catalyst in 2013. DFID joined as a co-funder of the Energy Catalyst in 2016.

Innovate UK, DFID and EPSRC are funding this competition with a total budget of up to £19 million. The aim is to speed up commercialisation of UK energy innovation. It will help deliver clean, affordable and resilient energy. DFID funding is for projects that are relevant to the needs of developing countries.