IUK Announces Demonstration Competition to Transform Food Production

The aim of this Innovate UK (IUK) competition is to support industrial research and experimental development projects demonstrating solutions that can transform food production and help the industry move towards net zero emissions by 2040.

Projects must focus on the development of precision, data-driven solutions and systems. These must make a significant step towards net zero and improved resource use efficiency for food production, while also improving productivity of the sector.

IUK has allocated up to £15 million to fund innovation projects across two strands of this competition.

Demonstration projects (this competition): IUK expects to spend £10 million

Feasibility study projects (yet to be announced): IUK expects to spend £5 million

For demonstration projects, the total eligible costs must be between £400,000 and £4 million. For exceptional demonstration projects, IUK may consider total eligible costs greater than £4 million.

Demonstration project must prove the viability of combinations of precision solutions to transform food production. They should determine solutions across different production environments in order to encourage their widespread use. They also need to work with end users and produce evidence of technical feasibility and economic viability at commercial scale.

UK registered businesses of any size can lead an application. The bid must be collaborative and involve at least one micro, small or medium sized enterprise (SME). Additional collaborators can be other businesses, research organisations, public sector organisations or charities.

The competition opens on 11 November 2019, with a deadline for applications of 26 February 2020.

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.