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Innovative companies which are developing products geared towards making a big impact in the environment, healthcare or energy sectors are being offered the chance to win free access to cutting-edge research and technology facilities to further innovate and develop their ideas. On Tuesday 28 September, STFC launched a challenge that offers any UK company or organisation researching products and services in these sectors the chance to work at the STFC's Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC) for periods of up to six months, for free.

I-TAC is a unique facility offering a suite of flexible laboratories based on the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus. Winners of the I-TAC Futures Challenge will also have access to the expertise of STFC scientists. Organisations entering simply need to show that they are working in the key areas of energy, healthcare or environment and how they would benefit from access to lab space and equipment. As part of the entry process, companies are strongly advised to visit I-TAC to see the facilities and equipment that are available, to help them prepare their application.

I-TAC manager Dr Martin Morlidge said "Companies can benefit massively from access to I-TAC's world class facilities. Each prizewinner will be supported by STFC staff to ensure that they get the most out of their time here. To win the competition could mean the difference between a start-up company with an idea that could help address some of society's key challenges, to one that really can make a difference."

The launch event took place at the Daresbury Business Breakfast Network, a highly successful monthly event at Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus. The events provide a networking opportunity for regional, national and international businesses.

The closing date for entries is 30 November 2010 and the winners will be announced on 10 December 2010. All awards will then start early in 2011.

Further information about the competition can be found:

• by emailing I-TAC
• by telephoning +44 (0)1925 603 141
• by visiting the I-TAC website (link opens in a new window)

The challenge prizes are:

Notes to editors

Winners will be required to agree to a set of terms and conditions.

The I-TAC concept supports STFC's corporate vision to maximise the impact of its knowledge, skills, facilities and resources for the benefit of the UK and its people.

Images

Images of the I-TAC labs are available. Please contact the press office for more details

Contacts

• Lucy Stone
  STFC Press Officer
  Tel: +44 (0)1235 445 627
  Mob: +44 (0)7920 870 125
  
  
• Dr Martin Morlidge
  Manager
  Innovations-Technology Access Centre (I-TAC)
  Tel: +44 (0)1925 603 614
  Mob: +44 (0)7766 990 256
  

Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC)

Innovations Technology Access Centre (link opens in a new window) (I-TAC) is a unique, fully equipped space for innovation, research and development providing flexible access to laboratory space, "hot-labs" and £3m scientific equipment.

Supported by STFC, we are ideally suited to start up companies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and research & development teams from established companies in the Biomedical, Chemical, Energy, Environment and Materials sectors.

STFC Innovations

The STFC Innovations directorate supports the flow of technology from the STFC funded research of UK universities and laboratories; CERN and ESO (European Southern Observatory); to industry or to academics from other disciplines towards commercialization through a range of events, brokering, networks and grant funding opportunities.

The Innovations team based at STFC encourage entrepreneurship and partnership formation between STFC funded research groups and UK industry.

STFC Futures Programme

Within the STFC, the Futures Programme guides and focuses the Council's strategy on the global research challenges in four key areas:

• energy
• healthcare
• environment
• security

Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus

The Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (link opens in a new window) (Daresbury SIC) was formally opened in September 2006 by Lord Sainsbury, the then Science and Innovation Minister.

Daresbury SIC is an internationally recognised location for high-tech businesses and leading-edge science and is home to over 100 high-tech businesses. It represents a fundamentally new approach to driving UK competitiveness in global science and innovation. Daresbury SIC was formed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the STFC, Lancaster University, the University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester and Halton Borough Council. In 2009 it was awarded the prestigious "Outstanding Science Park Award" by the UK Science Park Association.

The Campus is now moving into its next exciting phase of delivering world class science and high-tech businesses. It is in the process of identifying a private sector partner to develop up to 1 million square feet of space for business, research and innovation, providing facilities management and other services to the Campus and realising commercial services and investment opportunities with the Campus companies. This will continue to bring together businesses, universities, research organisations and industrial partners with the business support and investor community, to create over 6,000 jobs.

About STFC