An ERA-NET competition on photonic sensing launched on 1st September, with a closing date for stage 1 proposals on 5th December 2016. ERA-NET is a European scheme to build cooperation and coordination of research activities carried out at national or regional level in the Member States. In practical terms this means that activity is funded in each country at the national level, in the UK this is through Innovate.
The photonic sensing competition is open to R&D project consortia consisting of a minimum of two separate legal partners from at least two different participating countries and/or regions as follows:
- Austria
- Flanders Region (Belgium)
- Germany
- Israel
- Poland
- Portugal
- Turkey
- Tuscany Region (Italy) and
- United Kingdom
The objective of this call is to strengthen the research and development of photonic techniques for the technology readiness levels (TRL) 3-6 (proof of concept to technology demonstration in relevant environment). The competition is aimed at the most relevant sensing technologies with the highest impact on the human life. The following five application areas are in scope:
- Safety including food safety
- Civil security
- Manufacturing / production
- Environmental monitoring
- Medical applications
Innovate funding rules apply for UK participants. Projects must fall within the category of “Industrial Research” and involve at least one UK business. At least 70% of eligible UK costs must be incurred by businesses and no more than 30% of total costs in the project (i.e. including other partners) can be from research organisations. The total UK budget for this call is up to 1.8 million Euro.
Full details of the call and how to apply can be found on the Innovate site. SUPA PEER funding will able available to support proposals to this call for travel and consultancy etc. Please contact Mat Wasley for information.