The Niche Vehicle Network, Technology Strategy Board, BIS and OLEV jointly announce a further call for collaborative R&D projects

We are pleased to be able to announce a Systems R&D Competition, which will provide a total fund of £350,000 for niche vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and technology organisations who wish to collaborate on innovative, industry-led projects focussing on developing and demonstrating system-level road-vehicle technology in the following categories:

• Carbon Reduction & Improved Fuel Efficiency – electric & hybrid road-vehicle development, use of alternative fuels, reduced emissions from internal combustion engines, aerodynamics development
• Weight Reduction & Recyclability – innovative use of aluminium, plastic and composite materials in chassis, body and interior systems for road-vehicles

The following funding metrics apply:

• Each project should be no larger than £100k in total
• Maximum grant per project: £50k/up to 50% of eligible project costs
• Minimum grant per project: £30k/up to 50% of eligible project costs
• Maximum grant per participant: 70% as a proportion of the overall project grant
• Minimum grant per participant: 20% as a proportion of the overall project grant
• Total number of partners per project (including lead partner): 2 to 3
• Project duration: 3 months, starting on 1st January 2013

Other eligibility criteria:

• All R&D must be undertaken in the UK
• Lead partner must be a UK company, and can be a micro business or SME
• All grant claims must be submitted within FY 2012-13

The call for bids for grant funded collaborative R&D opens on 15th October and closes 21st November 2012. 

To receive an application pack, please email nvn@cenex.co.uk

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