Help find new ways too ease global disruption: apply for funding. 3 April 2020
UK businesses can apply for a share of £20 million in a fast-track competition to develop new ways to tackle global disruption such as that caused by COVID-19.
From:
Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation
Businesses and individuals across the world are facing huge challenges in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
The requirement to stay at home and to social distance or self-isolate presents new threats to a wide range of businesses and services, from delivery businesses to food manufacturers, entertainment, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, retail, transport and community support.
Business innovation can play a significant role in developing ways to ease the disruption from COVID-19 and any future global disruption.
Innovate UK is investing up to £20 million in business projects to develop innovative and ambitious ideas to significantly address the needs of society or industry resulting from the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more about applying for Innovate UK funding.
Business can develop ambitious solutions to society’s needs
Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:
The response of researchers and businesses to the coronavirus outbreak have been remarkable. This new investment will support the development of technologies that can help industries, communities and individuals adapt to new ways of working when situations like this, and other incidents, arise.
Dr Ian Campbell Interim Executive Chair, Innovate UK, said:
The Covid-19 situation is not just a health emergency, but also one that affects the economy and society. With that in mind, Innovate UK has launched this rapid response competition today seeking smart ideas from innovators.
These could be proposals to help the distribution of goods, educate children remotely, keep families digitally connected and even new ideas to stream music and entertainment. The UK needs a great national effort and Innovate UK is helping by unleashing the power of innovation for people and businesses in need.
Help key industries and services disrupted by pandemic
This fast-track competition is open for 10 working days.
Businesses can attract up to £50,000 as an upfront grant payment to cover the full costs of a project lasting up to 6 months.
Projects with strong potential could attract follow-on funding.
Ideas should aim to help key industries and services disrupted by the pandemic and its aftermath. For example, this could include:
- new platforms and software for music artists to stream live performances, connect remotely to their fan-base and allow global audiences to enjoy their live experience
- new ways for families to connect with and remotely monitor their elderly or vulnerable relatives and ensure they are receiving what they need, including food deliveries, doctor appointments and help to pay bills
- technology to help retailers to better respond better to spikes in customer demand, including to ensure they can deliver country-wide
- new education tools that allow teachers to remotely set tasks that keep the whole class together, support vulnerable children and ensure no-one is left behind
Find out more about how Innovate UK is supporting businesses in response to COVID-19
Find out more about how UK Research and Innovation is responding to coronavirus
Competition information
- the competition opens today Friday 3 April 2020, and the closing date is at midday on Friday 17 April 2020
- businesses of any size may apply
- we expect projects to be awarded grants of up to £50,000 and for them to last up to 6 months
- businesses can attract 100% of their project costs
- projects must start by June 2020
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- UK Governement: Funding five new testing facilities in Scotland, including Perth, 29 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Rapid Coronavirus Research. More than 50 Scottish Studies to Tackle Virus and its Impact, 28 April 2020
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- UK Government: Billion £ Support Package for Innovative Firms hit by COVID-19, 20 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Extend Brexit Transition during COVID-19 crisis, 20 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, 17 April 2020
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- Scottish Government: National Helpline to Support Those at High COVID-19 Risk, 13 April 2020
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- Scottish Government: Transport Community to Help COVID-19 Sufferers, 12 April 2020
- Scottish Government: New Measures to Protect Business Tenants, 10 April 2020.
- Scottish Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Update
- Scottish Government: Skills matching service to help rural business. 09.04.20
- Scottish Government: Additional COVID-19 Daily Data Published 08.04.20
- UK Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the manufacturing sector 08.04.20
- UK Government: Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to those working in retail. 08.04.20
- Scottish Business Community calls for clarity, consistency and cooperation in COVID-19 response 3 April 2020
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- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): business and social distancing guidance. Published 25.03.20
- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for businesses on offering support. Published 24 March 2020
- 20th March Update
- SCC & Scottish Government Update 18th March
- SCC & Scottish Government Update 17th March
- PKC Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance
- UK Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Link
- Scottish Government Corona Virus (Covid-19) Link
- NEW Find Business Support in response to Coronavirus - from Scottish Enterprise Source
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- Guidance & Quick Links
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