New £23m scheme to support high value manufacturing

London - The UK's Technology Strategy Board is inviting applications for funding under a £23-million scheme to support new R&D manufacturing projects that both develop technologies for high value products and address the through-life supportability of these technologies.

Participation, said TSB, is invited from companies in a wide range of industries – aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, chemicals, construction, consultancies, drinks, E&E, food processing, general engineering, infrastructure & facilities management, medical systems, metals, pharma and service industries.

In particular, the board wants to encourage projects that can demonstrate benefits to a number of business sectors, and ideally should include at least one partner with defined end-user needs. The projects, which can last for 2 to 3 years, can range from small, highly focussed basic research projects, aimed at establishing technical feasibility, through to applied research and experimental development projects.

The High Value Manufacturing competition is part of the Technology Strategy Board's Autumn 2007 call for proposals in a number of innovation and technology areas. Applicants must register their intention to apply for funding by 11 Jan 2008 and the final closing date for applications is 14 Feb 2008.