Launch of Marine Wave Energy Call

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has launched a call to fund research grant proposals in Marine Wave energy. The call will support proposals that address technological challenges related to devices and systems to capture the kinetic energy from marine waves.

The Wave Energy Roadmap commissioned through the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub concludes that targeted research and innovation will play an important role in the Wave Energy journey to commercialisation. As a result, EPSRC is looking to fund proposals with a particular focus on the following key areas:

Novel designs for niche applications.

Survivability and reliability of devices in the marine environment.

Power Take Off and control systems.

Modelling, forecasting and evaluation of wave energy resource.

New materials for Wave Energy Converters.

This call will take a portfolio approach to ensure a variety of the above areas are funded. Four to five projects will be funded, and projects will be expected to network over the lifetime of the grants.

A list of eligible organisations to apply to UKRI is available here. Proposals should fall mainly under the EPSRC remit but may include integrated social and environmental aspects surrounding the use of Wave Energy Converters. Applications must also demonstrate how the proposed research clearly addresses the goals of the UK Research and Innovation Energy Programme.

Proposals can be multi-disciplinary, and may come from consortia or individual institutions and may address individual or multiple themes. Proposals should engage with key organisations (academic, industry, policy etc) in the energy landscape relevant to the use of wave energy converters. Industry involvement is not mandatory but is encouraged where appropriate to maximise the impact of research outputs.

Approximately £4.5 million (at 80% full Economic Cost (FEC)) is available to support four to five grant proposals, each up to £1 million. Grants will commence on 6 April 2021 and last for a maximum of 36 months.

Interested applicants should complete the mandatory Intent to Submit form by the 14 July 2020 (16:00) deadline.

Full proposals should then be submitted via the Research Councils’ Joint electronic Submission (Je-S) System by the 23 September 2020 (16:00) deadline.

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.