Innovate UK in Europe

European Union: joint funded programmes

The Innovate UK is supporting UK businesses and organisations in their research and development work on new, innovative products and services. Support is available through European programmes that bring together innovators across Europe. UK partners are funded through the Innovate UK* while projects partners from other European Union member states are funded through their respective national funding bodies. 
 
Calls for proposals are organised at a central level by the individual programme secretariats in Brussels.
 
*Except for the ECSEL programme where the UK partner receives part of their grant from the Innovate UK and part from the ECSEL secretariat.
 

Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme

The addresses the needs of Europe's ageing population: it aims to enhance the quality of life of older people and strengthen Europe's industrial base through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
 
The AAL programme is implemented by the AAL Association whose members are the funding organisations of the AAL partner states. There is an annual call for proposals across a defined area. 
 
In the UK, the funds industry (SMEs and large companies) and end users (charities and local authorities). Higher education institutions and academics are welcome to participate but must either self-fund or have funding in place at the time of application.
 
The Innovate UK is supporting UK participants in the 2014 call.
 

EUREKA 

is a network of 30 countries that was established in 1985. There is no direct funding available for UK participants but SMEs can apply to the Innovate UK's programme for participation.

Eurostars 

Eurostars is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to SMEs: it stimulates SMEs to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects. Eurostars eases access to support and funding specifically for market-led research and development.
 
In the UK, innovative intensive and research-performing SMEs are eligible for Eurostars funding. Through the Innovate UK, UK participants in a successful Eurostars project can be funded by up to 60% of eligible project costs (with a maximum grant level of €360k per UK partner). Other EU partners are funded via their own national funding bodies.
 
Academics and universities, research and technology organisations and large companies can participate in a Eurostars project, but must fund their own participation or use funds from other sources.
 

Calls

From 2014 to 2020, there will be two Eurostars calls per year.
 

Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership

Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL) combines the three technology areas of ENIAC nanoelectronics, ARTEMIS embedded computing systems and the European Technology Platform EPOSS (smart systems integration). 
 
The result is a complete and complementary project portfolio which fits into a single European strategy covering the entire value and innovation chain of the electronic components and systems sector.
 
ECSEL brings together large companies, research and technology organisations linked to higher education research labs and SMEs providing technology and services. 
 
Please note, ECSEL is expected to start in early 2014. For further information, please contact Graham Mobbs, European Operations Manager, Innovate UK:
Email:
Mobile: 0782 459 9585
 

European Regional Area NETwork 

The European Regional Area NETwork (ERA-NET) scheme improves the coordination and cooperation of regional and national programmes by making single themed, open calls. The calls are in specific sectors and themed areas of science and technology.
 
The Innovate UK continues to invest in ERA-NETs through calls to support UK industrial and research partners. All ERA-NETS will be highlighted on the Funding competitions page.
 
Please note, ERA-NET is expected to start in early 2014. For further information, please contact Graham Mobbs, European Operations Manager, Innovate UK:
Email: 
Mobile: 0782 459 9585
 

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