As part of the UKRI National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Research programme (NICER), funding is being made available to support SMEs engage with and benefit from access to expertise at five research centres via collaborative research and development (CR&D) activities. The aim of this competition is to support feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development projects that address the challenges of transitioning to a circular economy. Projects are particularly encouraged that focus on retaining the maximum amount of value in a product or system.
A broad spectrum of circular economy approaches will be in scope, for example:
- repair
- reuse
- remanufacture
- recycle
- regeneration
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £1 million in circular economy innovation projects. Your proposal must demonstrate how you will create a step-change in the adoption of circular economy approaches. Projects must also have a total eligible cost of between £50,000 and £100,000, be carried out in the UK and last between 9 and 12 months.
Additional details, as well as a list of full elegibility criteria, can be found on the UK Government Funding website.
The application deadline for support through the CircularMetal programme is 12 November 2021.
