To help strengthen the UK’s economy against the long-term impacts of COVID-19, the government has released £20 million in funding for research and technology-focussed businesses.
Grants of up to £50,000 are available to help build resilience in industries such as delivery services, food manufacturing, retail and transport. The grants can also be utilised to develop new ways of working and to support people at home during the pandemic.
Suggested projects include:
- Technology that allows retailers to better respond to spikes in consumer demand and boost deliveries across the country
- Services to help families connect with, and remotely monitor, older or vulnerable loved ones. The goal of these technologies is to ensure that vulnerable friends and relatives are receiving vital services (such as food deliveries), as well as assistance with areas such as paying bills and attending doctor’s appointments
- Developing education tools to better support home learning. This includes programmes that allow teachers to remotely set tasks and support vulnerable children.
Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:
“The response of researchers and businesses to the coronavirus outbreak have been remarkable. This new investment will support the development of technologies that can help industries, communities and individuals adapt to new ways of working when situations like this, and other incidents, arise.”
Proposals for funding will be judged as part of a competition by Innovate UK. The competition, in which businesses will be rewarded with their grant, closes on 17th April 2020.
Dr Ian Campbell, Executive Chair Innovate UK, said:
"The COVID-19 situation is not just a health emergency, but also one that affects the economy and society. With that in mind, Innovate UK has launched this rapid response competition today seeking smart ideas from innovators. These could be proposals to help the distribution of goods, educate children remotely, keep families digitally connected and even new ideas to stream music and entertainment. The UK needs a great national effort and Innovate UK is helping by unleashing the power of innovation for people and businesses in need.”
All chosen projects will begin by June and last up to six months, with the goal of the services or products being available to the public by the end of 2020.
For more information, visit the gov.uk website.
To submit a proposal, click here.
