Sunday 16 April 2017

UK-China innovation competition opens

A new competition offers the chance for UK firms to collaborate directly with businesses in China.

Innovate UK is inviting companies to apply for a share of £5 million to work on a range of industrial research and development projects in Shanghai - energy is among the sectors to be prioritised.

The programme, which is being delivered according to the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding signed between Innovate UK and the city, will focus on "future cities" and "transformational or disruptive innovation".

Future cities will focus on rapid urbanisation, resource scarcity and climate change.

Transformational or disruptive innovation aims to help create new products, processes and services in a variety of sectors, including energy and green technology.

Eligible projects should last up to three years and cost up to £500,000 - up to 70% of total project finance could be covered.

Chinese companies will receive funding from the Shanghai Municipality.

The competition is open and the deadline for registration is the 21st of June 2017.

UK firms are also being helped to create business opportunities in the Chinese offshore wind industry.