Next step in photonic technologies: apply for Innovate UK funding

Organisations can apply for a share of £2 million to develop advanced photonic technologies in international partnerships.

Photonic technologies including lasers and fibre-optics contribute almost £13 billion to the UK economy. These technologies, which generate and harness light, can currently be found in smartphones displays and driverless cars.

Light-based technologies also account for 7% of all UK manufacturing output. This means that the UK is currently among the top 10 countries for global market share of photonics components. However, ensuring the UK’s continued success will require continued improvement on products and processes.

A share of £2 million is available for international partnerships developing novel industrial photonic technologies. The funding is available through the EUREKA Network in Photonics, a joint initiative between Innovate UK and the Photonics21 Mirror Group.

Competition information

The competition is focused on significantly improving products and processes surrounding photonic technologies.

These include but are not limited to:

• laser machining
• additive manufacturing
• selective laser sintering
• photonic curing
• photo, stereo or laser-based lithography
• wave imaging and light detection and ranging (LIDAR)

Industry sectors in this competition’s scope include but are not limited to:

• materials
• electronic and computer components
• aviation or aerospace
• manufacturing
• electro-mechanical engineering

This is a collaborative research and development competition. Projects must include at least 1 partner from the participating countries of the EUREKA Network in Photonics. These are:

• Austria
• France
• Germany
• Israel
• Poland
• Switzerland

Projects can also partner with other UK-based businesses and research organisations of any size.

Competition information

• the competition is open and the deadline for registration is at midday on 15 July 2019
• organisations of any size can apply
• total eligible project costs are expected to be between £640,000 and £1.7 million, which includes costs from all partners in the UK and other countries

Briefing events will be held in:

• London on 4 April 2019
• Pontypridd, South Wales, on 8 April 2019
• Saint Asaph, North Wales, on 9 April 2019
• Edinburgh on 24 April 2019

Find out more about this competition and apply.

This release was first published 27 March 2019 by Innovate UK.