Agri-Tech Catalyst round 6 – industrial research awards

Key Features

The aim of this competition is to increase the pace and scale of uptake of agricultural innovation by farmers in developing countries.

Programme:     Innovate UK

Award:     up to £1 million

Opens: 11th Jul 2016

Closes: 2nd Nov 2016

! This scheme is now closed

Projects in the industrial research awards will assess the technical feasibility of an idea and establish proof of concept and possible routes to exploitation. Proposals will accept longer term studies in all relevant subjects that show the potential to grow sustainable intensification of agriculture and deliver economic impact. As with technical feasibility studies, the work included in these projects will be dependent on the technology application and the nature of the technological solution.

Further examples of project work in this category may include but are not limited to:

  • development of work undertaken in early stage feasibility studies
  • all aspects of plant agronomy, animal (incl. aquaculture) husbandry
  • related engineering, IT, electronics and other non-biological solutions

Projects may develop relevant innovative solutions from across all sectors of the agri-tech sector and/or other industrial sectors. These should advance the sustainable intensification of global agriculture (including aquaculture) by developing and adopting novel, innovative solutions. This could include:

  • technology development
  • lab-based prototyping
  • product development planning
  • extending proof-of-concept using plot/field trials
  • exploration of production mechanisms
  • market testing
  • typical project size: up to £1,500,000
  • duration: up to 3 years
  • applications must be UK business-led
  • funding proportion for business: up to 70% of total eligible project costs for micro and small companies; 60% for medium companies and 50% for large companies
  • research-base partners funded at 100%. UK academic partners funded via Je-S (80% of full economic cost)
  • the level of total research participation is set at a maximum of 50% of total eligible project costs. If your consortium contains more than one research organisation, this maximum will be shared between them
  • all projects must be collaborative and must include both a UK and eligible developing country partner. See International Development Funding section below for further details on eligible countries. All funding will be sent through UK based organisations and institutions
  • applications must be industry focused with a clear case for business benefit and/or international development benefits
  • the main objective of the project proposal should be to benefit developing country agriculture. Research can be conducted within the UK or outside the UK
  • if you have been unsuccessful in a previous round, you may re-apply for funding in this grant category once only for the same project.