Funding April 2012

Two TSB / DEFRA competitions

Innovation for growth in agriculture, food and drink

Open date: 16 April 2012
Registration close date: 23 May 2012
Close date: 30 May 2012

The Technology Strategy Board and Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are to invest up to £500k to help stimulate and promote innovation in the agriculture and the food and drink sectors. This feasibility competition is specifically targeted at micro, small and medium-sized companies and aims to encourage better and more cost effective systems and processes and delivery of better products and services.

Grants will be available to support the rapid development of an innovative idea and demonstrate its practical feasibility in the agricultural (including horticulture) and food and drink sectors.

This competition is open to micro, and small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). Projects must be business-led and may be undertaken by the business alone or with one other business. Projects should last between three and six months. Grants will be available for up to 100% of the cost and will not exceed £25k.

The application process includes a two-minute video submission and a written submission.

For details see http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/innovation-for-growth-in-agriculture-food-and-drin.ashx.

Food processing and manufacturing efficiency

Open date: 11 June 2012
Registration close date: 11 July 2012
Close date: 18 July 2012

The Technology Strategy Board, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Scottish Government are to invest up to £15m in collaborative research and development to encourage an increase in efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness in the food processing and manufacturing sector.

Rising costs and increased regulation around greenhouse gas emissions and waste pose a significant challenge to the industry. This competition aims to encourage more efficient food processing, packaging and distribution in retail and food service sectors and the efficient recycling of manufacturing by-products and waste.

Proposals must be collaborative and business-led. Successful projects will generally attract up to 50% public funding. We are likely to award grants of between £100k and £2.5m, although projects larger than this are eligible to apply.

For full details see http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/food-processing-and-manufacturing-efficiency1.ashx.