East Midlands’ construction firms are being encouraged to act fast if they want to claim their share of £200,000 of grants being made available by the Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet).
A call for proposals and applications to the Sustainable Construction iNet’s Higher Education Collaboration Fund has just been issued, offering firms involved in the construction or associated industries the chance to bring their ideas to life by teaming up with the region’s universities.
Grants in the region of £30,000 to £50,000 are on offer for small to medium sized enterprises operating in sustainable construction. The qualifying firms receiving funding will form a three-way partnership with two East Midlands’ universities already undertaking relevant research work.
Financed by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund, the Higher Education Collaboration Fund, provides county companies with access to specialist knowledge, skills and processes currently out of reach.
“Universities are not just about educating undergraduates,” says Charles Meynell, Senior Innovation Advisor for the Sustainable Construction iNet. “As well as the learning, there’s a considerable amount of research and development work being conducted. Some of this incredibly valuable knowledge doesn’t always see the light of day and the Higher Education Collaboration Fund is designed to unlock this information and make it accessible to East Midlands’ construction companies.
“We appreciate times are difficult for companies, so we’re really pleased to be able to announce this funding opportunity. We’re especially want to hear from companies undertaking projects in components and materials, design and decision tools, retrofit for the future, user behaviour, design for future climate change, management, operation and integration of low carbon energy. But they need to act quickly – the closing date is 17th August.”
Companies receiving support from the Sustainable Construction iNet’s HCEF grant are able to use it to fund progression to initiatives operated by several other organisations, offering even more support, such as the Technology Strategy Board, Research Councils and the European Union.
Firms interested in applying or finding out more about the grant and the other support and funding the Sustainable Construction iNet can provide should visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/construction <http://www.eminnovation.org.uk/construction> or call 01604 892020.
The Sustainable Construction iNet was established by emda and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The aim of the iNet is to share expertise and stimulate the research and development of new products, services and processes.
-ENDS-
Issued on behalf of the Sustainable Construction iNet by Lava. For further information contact Matt or Lindsey at Lava on 01522 842 800 / matt@lavapr.co.uk <mailto:matt@lavapr.co.uk> / lindsey@lavapr.co.uk <mailto:lindsey@lavapr.co.uk>
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Notes to editors
About East Midlands Innovation
· East Midlands Innovation is the Regional Science and Industry Council which was established in 2005 by emda.
· East Midlands Innovation’s principle responsibility is to take the lead for emda in implementing the Innovation Strategy and Action Plan for the East Midlands with the aim to grow a long term, sustainable, innovation-led economy.
About emda
· East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.
· Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) ‘A Flourishing Region’, which sets out regional priorities until 2020.
· The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; ‘Prosperity Through People’ and ‘Destination 2010’.
· In early 2007 the National Audit Office announced emda had received the highest possible grade of ‘performing strongly’ in an independent assessment of our work – scoring 22 out of 24.
· www.emda.org.uk
About ERDF
The ERDF Programme aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development.
The ERDF objectives for England are:
§ Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer
§ Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful business
§ Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption
§ Building sustainable communities
§ Improving accessibility and connectivity (for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly only – as part of their Convergence Programme).
A Programme Monitoring Committee consisting of regional stakeholders such as Government Offices, RDAs, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, Sub-regional Partnerships, Higher Education Institutions, Trade Unions, and the private and voluntary sectors will monitor and oversee programme implementation in each region.
For more information on ERDF funding generally, please visit www.erdf.communities.gov.uk <http://www.erdf.communities.gov.uk> or http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funds/feder/index_en.htm <http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funds/feder/index_en.htm>
About ERDF in the East Midlands
The East Midlands is eligible for 268.5m Euros between 2007 and 2013, which, when combined with match funding, provides a programme value of approximately £420m – a significant investment in the economic development of the region.
The East Midlands qualifies as a competitiveness and employment region under the EU’s Cohesion Policy, which aims to meet the EU Lisbon objective to become ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.’
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is responsible for the programme management and delivery of the region’s 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme. The responsibility for the ERDF programme management was transferred from the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) to emda following a decision by the UK Government to seek greater alignment between ERDF and regional strategies and funding streams. The 2007-13 ERDF Programme is therefore set firmly within the framework of the Regional Economic Strategy.
A Programme Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Regional Director of Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), guides the strategic direction of the programme and works closely with emda.
To find out more about ERDF, the region’s strategy for delivering the funds, how to apply for funding and how the programme is managed, please visit www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk <http://www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk>
