Deadline: 22-Jun-22
Organisations can apply for Phase 1 of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI): Fusion Industry Challenges to develop solutions that encourages innovation in the fusion industry, through the use of novel and innovative heating and cooling systems, materials, manufacturing and technologies.
This is a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition funded by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
Priority Areas
The aim of the competition is to develop solutions to fusion energy challenges in two themes for key priority areas.
- Driving up fusion power plant performance with innovative heating and cooling systems.
- Improving fusion power plant availability with novel fusion materials, technology, and manufacture.
Scope
Your proposal must:
- reduce the risk involved in the take up of new technologies
- outline plans to accelerate time to market
- be pre-commercial
- explain the rationale for the solution and describe the expected impact
- define how the proposed solution would enable and support the delivery of sustainable fusion power plants
- assign at least 2 technical milestones where performance is reviewed in order to release funds
- demonstrate a clear plan for commercialisation with a route to market for affordable, developed solutions
- describe how solutions can be tested in a representative or real world setting as part of phase 2
- explain how any potentially negative outcomes would be managed, such as on the environment or society
- demonstrate how you will work with at least one potential future customer throughout your project
Funding Information
- A total of up to £2 million, inclusive of VAT, is allocated to phase 1. The funding is provided by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
- The Phase 1 feasibility study R&D contracts will be between £50,000 and £200,000, inclusive of VAT, for each project for up to 6 months. They expect to fund up to 10 projects.
- Phase 2 involves up to 5 contracts being awarded to organisations chosen from the successful phase 1 applicants. Up to £1,000,000 inclusive of VAT will be allocated for each contract, to develop a prototype and undertake field testing for up to 18 months.
Eligibility Criteria
To lead a project, you can:
- be an eligible organisation of any size with a UK registration or registered office
- work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector as subcontractors
- applicants are welcome from all sectors
This competition will not fund any procurement, commercial, business development or supply chain activity with any Russian entity as lead or subcontractor. This includes any goods or services originating from a Russian source.
For more information, visit https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/1156/overview#summary