The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

With just under a month to go, there is still time for organisations to apply for a share of the £15 million that is being made available for nuclear research projects in the supply chain.

A joint initiative by Government organisations, including the NDA, is investing the funds to stimulate innovative technologies in all sectors of the civil nuclear sector and to encourage collaboration between businesses both large and small.

For two of the categories, comprising £14 million of the total, the competition closes on 5 September with registration required by 29 August:

• Up to £12 million for business-led Collaborative R&D projects
• Up to £2 million for Feasibility Studies which must also be collaborative and led by a Small/Medium Enterprise (SME)

A number of organisations, from SMEs to large commercial and academic organisations, have already expressed interest in submitting proposals for the funding, following the opening of the competition at the beginning of July.

A third category, and the remaining £1 million, is for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships which support the transfer of knowledge and skills from academia into industry. Applicants need to submit completed applications by 4 October.

The initiative is being led by the Technology Strategy Board (which is backed by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills), the Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPRSC) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) as well as by the NDA.

The investment will support innovation that can be used across the civil nuclear industry, including construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance, waste management and decommissioning.

• More information and to register interest