Innovate UK looks to ‘kick start’ projects in range of sectors

Proposals are expected to 'kick start' the delivery of new products and services which have substantial and scalable commercial potential. According to the funding body, the competition is intended to ensure that small and micro businesses in the UK are equipped to respond to market opportunities across a range of economic sectors. Projects must be business led and are only open to small or micro companies, working either independently or in collaboration with one other similarly sized company. Projects are likely to last for up to four months, but total costs cannot not exceed £33,000. Innovate UK is looking for proposals in the following areas: * Photonics, including devices and systems for industrial processing, solid state lighting, biophotonics, communications or photovoltaics, and systems that improve functionality, performance, size or cost reduction. * Sensor systems, including intelligence and optimised control, wireless sensing, networks of sensors and imaging. * Plastic electronics, including materials, devices, equipment, production processes, architectures, test and measurement, systems or modelling tools. * Electronic systems, including design and integration, embedded systems, robotics and autonomous systems, and verification and testing of computing system designs, and * Power electronics, including devices and systems for efficiently converting and controlling electricity consumption in electronic systems. The competition for funding opens on 10 November 2014, with the deadline for applications being 1200 on 21 January 2015. A briefing day for potential applicants will be held in London on 25 November 2014.