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A further Ł100 million for UK business to research and develop new technologies from environmentally friendly low carbon projects to leading edge manufacturing was announced in the Budget today.

Strong innovation, strong economy

London, UK | Posted on March 22nd, 2007

A further Ł100 million for UK business to research and develop new technologies from environmentally friendly low carbon projects to leading edge manufacturing was announced in the Budget today.

The Collaborative R&D competition, part of the DTI-led Technology Programme, will provide funding to the most innovative, marketable projects which will boost the UK economy.

Trade and Industry Secretary, Alistair Darling, said;

"Innovation and technology are UK strengths.

"To stay at the cutting edge we need to keep on investing in the new technologies that give our economy competitive advantage.

"The sheer range of ideas this scheme has funded so far is impressive. From research into bio-fuels to biodegradable plastics made from plant fibres, pacemakers powered by human movement through to implants for broken bones which dissolve safely, accelerating healing.

"Our ingenuity and creativity is a badge for the UK. We want to see more of it which is why we are backing it with hard cash."

The Ł100 million will provide:

* Ł40 million for advanced manufacturing projects - including design engineering technology to boost competitiveness and sustainability in sectors such as aerospace, vehicles and energy.
* Ł15 million for energy technologies - both renewable low-carbon options and ensuring the continued production of hydrocarbon reserves
* Ł15 million for lightweight materials
* Ł5 million for plastic electronics - to build on the UK's current competitive edge in this field.
* Ł7 million to areas of medicine which bring together materials, nanotechnology, tissue engineering with surgical and clinical sciences.
* Ł8 million for ICT - developing technologies to support better networked business

Research Councils will provide a further Ł10 million for projects with a high quality academic component.

The competition, which formally opens on 24th April 2007, further boosts the Technology Programme, which has contributed to over 600 projects across 40 technology areas with a combined business and Government investment of more than Ł900 million since its launch in 2004. 22 Knowledge Transfer Networks ( KTNs ) have also been established with funding of around Ł40m over three years.

The TSB will be strengthened this summer when it becomes an executive Non Departmental Public Body, responsible for delivering Government financial support in a range of ways, including Collaborative R&D, Knowledge Transfer Networks, Innovation Platforms and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, to encourage business investment in, and use of, technology across all sectors of the UK economy.

The Technology Strategy Board will determine the best balance of funding, further build ties with business and continue to focus on areas of UK strength. It will also place more emphasis on the use of technology and innovation in the service sector, including in financial services and creative industries, which are key areas for the future.

The TSB will support close partnerships between Government and business in developing and exploiting new technologies and work with Government Departments and Agencies and the Devolved Administrations, the Regional Development Agencies and the Research Councils.

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About Technology Strategy Board
The Government's Technology Strategy Board ( TSB ) promotes and supports research, development and the exploitation of science, technology and new ideas to benefit business, increase economic growth and improve the quality of life in the UK. The Technology Programme invests in new and emerging technologies and helps businesses work together or with academic partners to develop technologies that will underpin products and services of the future.

For further information: http://www.dti.gov.uk/innovation/technologystrategy

Spring 2007 Technology Programme Collaborative R&D competition

Detailed information on the technology priorities, application timescales and supporting events is available on:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/innovation/technologystrategy/technologyprogramme/index.html.

A number of regional dissemination events will be held to provide businesses with an opportunity to learn about successful projects and what CR&D can do for them. For further details or to register for any of these events - http://www.technologyprogramme.org.uk/site/events/default.cfm

Additionally, an electronic notice board is available for businesses to meet potential partners, promote areas of expertise or place a request for expertise required to build consortia.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Department of Trade and Industry
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London SW1H 0ET

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