Willetts announces £85m research capital fund
07 April 2013
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will invite bids against an £85m fund to increase the strength and productivity of the UK's research base.
The research is envisaged within three technologies:
- Advanced materials (£30m)
- Grid-scale energy storage (£30m)
- Robotics & autonomous systems (£25m)
The call will build on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement of additional capital funding for the eight Great British technologies in last autumn’s pre-Budget statement.
Announcing the forthcoming call, science minister David Willetts said: “The Government’s investment in the eight great technologies will drive growth and help secure the UK’s high-tech future. This £85 million capital fund will boost our research capability in advanced materials, energy storage and robotics and autonomous systems. It will keep the UK at the forefront of science and innovation.”
EPSRC chief executive, Professor David Delpy said: “This call will focus on building capability in areas that are vital for the country and where we are already carrying out exciting research. The work will help develop new ways of storing power, new materials that can aid manufacturing and other industries, and further developing how autonomous systems communicate, learn and work with humans.”