Dates
Call opens: Monday 20 September 2021
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 17 November 2021, 11am
Invite to interview: 22 December 2021
Interviews: 10 – 14 January 2022
Applicants notified: 28 January 2022
Scope
- deliver clear game-changing service-led innovation with significant impact on ageing positively in the UK
- help people as they age to remain active, productive, independent, and socially connected
- conduct industrial research to develop new and applied knowledge leading to a people-centred design, as tested by a mandatory design stage gate review at 6 months into the project
- derive evidence of user engagement, modifications based on user feedback, user community take-up/acceptance, and scalability/wide interest. Validate business plan and market opportunity
- reach a solution at high technology and market readiness by close of project
Examples of Specific Themes
Including but not limited to
- self-care and new care models for independence
- sustained physical activity beyond 50 years of age, e.g., active travel
- improved mental health
- address ‘common complaints’ of ageing, such as incontinence, pain, mobility, hearing, and eyesight
Eligibility
- excludes clinical trial-focused projects. Projects must be business led
- project must start by 1st May 2022. Duration 6-24 months. All project work must be in UK. Any non-UK subcontractor needs strong justification.
- UK SMEs can work alone or collaborate with others (SMEs, academics, or research organisations).
- total project budget £500k-£2Mn. All research organisations in the consortium can share up to 30% of the total eligible project costs.
Funding Rates
For industrial research (TRL 3-5), SMEs can claim up to 70% of total costs. Larger companies get 60-50% depending on size. Universities get 80% of FEC. Other non-profit partners get 100% of their total costs.
