Value Notes

The Technology Strategy Board expects to award a range of grants from £500,000 and potentially up to figures in excess of £5 million.

Extended Description

The Technology Strategy Board and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles are to invest up to £25 million in collaborative R&D and demonstration projects that will accelerate the commercialisation of low carbon vehicles through this programme.

The Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform (LCVIP) in September 2007 to promote low carbon vehicle research, design, development and demonstration in the UK to deliver:

• benefits to the UK automotive sector, including the supply chain, from growing demand for lower carbon vehicles – in domestic and international markets;
• faster introduction of low carbon vehicle technology and vehicles (when compared with a purely market-driven process); and
• significant reduction in carbon emissions in domestic and international vehicle markets to meet UK and EU climate change targets.

The programme has secured funding from the Technology Strategy Board, the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, regional bodies and devolved administrations.

This is the seventh competition under the innovation platform’s integrated delivery programme (IDP). The programme aims
to integrate the low carbon vehicle innovation chain, from the science base, through collaborative R&D to fleet-level demonstration.

Latest Information

The deadline for Expressions of Interest was 28 March 2012. The second stage for invited applicants closed to applications on 30 May 2012. Details and deadline information for any future rounds will be reported when available

Key Criteria

Businesses in the UK and companies based outside of the UK companies that wish to set up a base in the UK may apply. The company must be set up and registered within the UK before it can start to draw down the grant funding. It will also need to demonstrate that it intends to expand its activity in the UK beyond the duration of the project.

The Technology Strategy Board is specifically encouraging companies outside the automotive sector that can bring technical knowledge and expertise to a consortium to engage with the industry.

Eligible Expenditure

The Technology Strategy Board is looking to invest in highly innovative, business-led collaborative research, development and demonstration projects involving low carbon vehicles that aim to achieve significant cuts in CO2 from road transport.

Match Funding Restrictions

Projects that include elements of validation will have an applied R&D phase attracting up to 50% funding and an experimental development phase attracting up to 25% public funding. In some circumstances, projects can also include elements of industry-orientated basic research attracting up to 75% public funding. The remainder of any necessary funds must be secured by the applicant.

Restrictions

Although there are no specific exclusions cited within the programme guidelines, those wishing to apply are advised to liaise with the funding provider in the first instance to discuss eligibility.

Application Procedure

Assistance with applications can be requested from the Technology Strategy Board.

Key dates:

• Networking event 10 January 2012
• Competition opens 20 February 2012
• Competition briefing day 1 March 2012
• Deadline for registration noon 21 March 2012
• Deadline for expression of interest noon 28 March 2012
• Stage 2 opens (for invited applications) 23 April 2012
• Compulsory applicant briefing 1 May 2012
• Deadline for receipt of full applications noon 30 May 2012
• Applicants informed of outcome 4 July 2012