The Knowledge Transfer Network would like to invite you to an Innovate UK competition briefing and consortium building event taking place in a city near you between 24^th September – 21^stOctober 2015.

Innovate UK is to invest up to £2 million in technical feasibility studies to explore the enhancement of performance of materials in demanding, extreme and/or aggressive environments.

Materials innovation is usually a component of any product innovation. A key challenge for materials in a broad range of high-value applications is the ability to operate in severe, aggressive or demanding conditions. Radical improvements in the performance and reliability of materials in extreme operational environments would give UK companies a competitive edge in many high-value markets. The need and application of these materials will affect most markets including transport, the built environment, energy, manufacturing, electronics, space and health.

The feasibility studies must be collaborative and business-led, involving a partner with a future route to market. Consortia are expected to provide strong evidence that they have the appropriate knowledge base from which to conduct the proposed project e.g. a defined in-house capacity and capability, or working with an appropriate academic/research organisation where necessary.

Maximum eligible costs per project will be up to £150k, which will be funded up to 70% of project costs depending on the size of the organisation. Up to 30% of eligible project costs can be incurred by universities/research organisations.

Projects should last up to 12 months and should deliver a tangible outcome such as a small-scale demonstration of the technology.

This is a single stage competition that opens for applicants on 12 October 2015. The deadline for registration is noon on 18 November 2015 and the deadline for applications is noon on 25 November 2015.

Follow the links below to register to attend one of these events.

Belfast - 24th September

Edinburgh - 28th September

Cardiff - 6th October

Manchester - 9th October

London - 21st October