In response to the global Covid19 pandemic, Innovate UK has launched a funding competition which will invest up to £20 million in innovation projects.
This is open to all UK-registered companies and covers areas directly relevant to games companies.
The aim of the competition is to support UK businesses to focus on emerging or increasing needs of society and industries during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Benefits to Society
Applications must demonstrate both realistic and significant benefits for society (including communities, families and individuals) or an industry that has been severely impacted and/or permanently disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Innovate UK looking for solutions, which tackle the new or emerging societal or industry needs in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, including but not exclusively:
- community support services
- couriers and delivery (rural and/or city based)
- education and culture
- entertainment (live entertainment, music, etc.)
- financial services
- food manufacture and processing
- healthcare
- hospitality
- personal protection equipment
- remote working
- retail
- social care
- sport and recreation
- transport
- wellbeing
The organisation is also actively looking for projects which are both in scope and aligned to the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) challenges.
Applications Open Now
Applications must also focus on a clear need and the proposed innovation to address it. Applicants must have the ability to deliver the project during the working restrictions of Covid-19 pandemic.
Businesses can claim 100% of project costs up to the maximum of £50,000 – which will be paid in advance of the project start date.
Innovate UK will monitor and review projects during implementation with a view to providing follow-on funding and support for those with the most potential for impact.
Applications are open NOW. The competition closes on Friday 17 April 2020 12:00pm.
For More Information
More information on the funding call can be found here. You can watch a recorded Zoom session which gives more detail and answers questions about the competition here.
