NEWS2 April 2020
There are a number of funding and collaborative initiatives for researchers and businesses that have the expertise and facilities to help.
We have collated some of the key opportunities.
UK Research & Innovation support
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are seeking proposals for short-term projects addressing and mitigating the health, social, cultural and environmental impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.
UKRI will support proposals of 12-18 months duration which meet at least one of the following:
- new research or innovation with a clear impact pathway that has the potential (within the period of the grant) to deliver a significant contribution to the understanding of, and response to, the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts.
- supports the manufacture and/or wide scale adoption of an intervention with significant potential
- gathers critical data and resources quickly for future research use
This is a call for University-led research and innovation but the grant could also be used to support your R&D initiatives. To benefit from collaboration with the University of Surrey please contact Michael Reilly, Research Bid Development Manager at michaelreilly@surrey.ac.uk.”
Innovate UK fast track COVID-19 funding competition
Innovate UK has announced a competition where they will invest up to £20 million in innovation projects.
The aim of the competition is to support UK businesses to focus on emerging or increasing needs of society and industries during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition closes on 17th April. Innovate UK state that the application must demonstrate both realistic and significant benefits for society or an industry that has been severely impacted or disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Innovate UK is committed to fast-tracking innovation to ensure the UK will be better placed to maintain employment levels, a competitive position in global markets and make the UK more resilient to similar disruption.
The University of Surrey COVID-19 response team
The University of Surrey is supporting the NHS and other authorities working to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in many different ways. The University has a response team available to help you understand how the University could assist you with the provision of practical assistance, facilities or research support in tackling the pandemic. To find out more please contact the response team at covidassist@surrey.ac.uk.
Support in the supply of ventilators
The Government is looking for businesses who can support the supply of ventilators. As well as manufacturers, the Government is looking for businesses with the following skills; design specification, medical training, rapid prototyping, contract, product assembly, certification, regulation, testing, and logistics.
Find our more HERE.
Government’s database on research expertise
The Government is urgently creating a database of quick access to researchers who can provide expert insights relating to both the coronavirus and its impacts.
Tell us how you are helping fight COVID-19
Surrey Research Park and the University of Surrey would like to hear how businesses on Surrey Research Park are helping with the fight against COVID-19. Connect and collaborate with us, as we may be able to help facilitate further collaboration and interest in our collective efforts.