APC 12

Overview

APC 12 is seeking proposals for collaborative R&D projects that demonstrate the development of on-vehicle technologies for on or off-road vehicles. These must either accelerate the development of low and zero tailpipe emission capable technologies, or demonstrate significant changes in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

APC is particularly looking for projects that support the UK’s long-term supply chain and associated capabilities, in the design, build and manufacture of low and zero tailpipe-emission capable vehicles.

This includes technologies such as:

• motors
• batteries
• power electronics
• hybridisation
• alternative propulsion systems

Scope

Your project must support the growth of these technologies, creating more jobs and capability throughout the UK supply chain.

Your application must have a proven technology idea that will be both technically viable and production ready at the end of the project. You must show:

• a clear route to market and have a consortium able to deliver this
• the economic benefits of the project, such as new and safe-guarded jobs, new business activity, or an expansion of products and services
• that the primary application of the project is for the automotive industry
• how the project will support upskilling and knowledge sharing in the UK
• that the project delivers impacts that would not be achieved in business as usual
• what would happen to the project if funding is not successful and why the specific amount of funding is needed
• how UK plc will benefit from any intellectual property generated by the project
• that you will demonstrate the majority of the technologies in a system or major sub system in a vehicle representative environment

The project must be directly focused on or relate to one or more of the following technology areas:

• alternative propulsion systems
• electric machines and power electronics
• energy storage and energy management
• lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures
• thermal propulsion systems

Eligibility 

To lead a project you must:

• have an active business base in the UK
• be a grant recipient
• involve at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
• include, as part of your consortium, a vehicle manufacturer or tier 1 supplier who supplies parts directly to an original equipment manufacturer
• collaborate with others

To collaborate on a project you must:

• be a UK based business, academic organisation, or research and technology organisation (RTO)
• carry out your project work in the UK
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
• work in collaboration with other businesses or research organisations

Non-UK based companies and research organisations are eligible to apply for funding if they:

• set up an active UK business base before they start their project, where the funded work will be carried out
• provide evidence that they intend to expand their R&D activity in the UK after the project

Funding Costs

Your project’s total eligible costs must be 50% match funded and between £5 million and £40 million. Projects can last between 18 and 42 months.

The total grant request at application cannot exceed 50% of the total eligible project costs, of which:

• at least 70% must be incurred by commercial organisations
• a maximum of 30% is available to research participants, and if there is more than one research participant, this amount will be shared between them

For industrial research projects, you could get funding for your eligible project costs of:

• up to 70% if you are a micro or small business
• up to 60% if you are a medium-sized business
• up to 50% if you are a large business

For experimental development projects which are nearer to market, you could get funding for your eligible project costs of:

• up to 45% if you are a micro or small business
• up to 35% if you are a medium-sized business
• up to 25% if you are a large business