£2 million for UK business research and development projects

Published: July 25th, 2022

Marches businesses are invited to enter a competition for their share of £2 million to support future research and development activity. 

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is running the Design Foundations funding competition to help organisations develop early-stage innovation projects that will benefit both people and the planet. 

The competition opened on July 6, with applications closing on August 31 at 11am. 

Eligible organisations can use the funding to test and improve both the customer experience and socio-environmental benefits of their early-stage ideas, in alignment with the UN’s sustainable development goals. 

In order to apply, business projects must: 

• have total costs between £40,000 and £80,000 
• start by 1 March 2023 
• end by 31 August 2023 
• last between 3 months and 6 months 
• carry out all project work in the UK 
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK 

Innovate UK encourages organisations that have not previously used people and planet centred design processes or expertise to apply, with the aim of facilitating improved products, services, places and business models across the UK. 

Projects can explore innovative ideas for physical or digital products, services, places or business models, with successful applicants being encouraged to adapt their original research and development ideas as new discoveries are made throughout the project. 

To learn more about eligibility criteria and project ideas, or to apply to the Design Foundations funding competition, visit https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/support/design-foundations-july-2022/