Innovation is the successful development and introduction of new ideas.

Traditionally this has meant ideas for science and technology but now it’s much broader – taking in new products, new services, new ways of running business, new ways of doing business and more.

Innovation is an increasingly important way for businesses to maintain a competitive advantage and achieve their growth potential. In a global economy where competing on cost is becoming more and more limited, innovation becomes a key differentiator.

For more information on how we are investing in innovation in the East Midlands click HERE to view the Regional Innovation Strategy and Action Plan.

The Technology Framework for the East Midlands has been launched.

To support the Innovation Strategy, we have developed a Technology Framework to identify and prioritise technology investments in the East Midlands. Through a process of research and independent consultation, five priority technology areas have been identified as those that are likely to be most important to the future prosperity of the East Midlands. The framework details the importance of the priority technologies, their current position in the region’s economy and their exploitation opportunities.

For more information on how we are investing and supporting technology in the East Midlands click HERE to view the Technology Framework for the East Midlands.

REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY FRAMEWORK - GRANTS OPEN NOW

Two types of grants, Demonstration Grants and Pathfinders, will be available to support projects specifically under the technology areas of the Framework.

Demonstration grants will range between £100,000 and £500,000 (£750,000 in exception circumstances) to support collaborative projects in technology transfer and new technologies enabling them to be advance, improved and adapted for commercial use. Eligible lead applicants include Higher Education Institutes, Research and Technology Organisations and other public sector bodies. Small or medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Large Enterprises are eligible to join to consortium.  This call is for projects in the following technology areas:
            Materials
            Design, Engineering and Manufacturing
            Energy and Waste

We anticipate a future call in April 2009 that will cover all five technology areas in the framework.

Please click HERE for the Expression of Interest form for this call. The deadline for receipt for this call is 5pm October 17, 2008.
Please click HERE for the Invitation to Apply for Grant Funding which provides more detail about the scheme and the eligible projects.
Please click HERE to download the Expression of Interest Guidance.
Please go to HERE to view the Targetry Output Framework.

Pathfinder grants offer between £5,000 and £20,000 for Pathfinder projects up to six months in length. These will be projects focused on activities that gather evidence of market validation, establish the commercial opportunity and demonstrate the regional benefit of supporting the technology. The pathfinder awards are designed to complement emda’s existing Grants for Research and Development (GRD) scheme and are eligible to SMEs, RTOs or individuals with the relevant intellectual property protection. This call is open to projects supporting all of the technology areas:
            Materials
            Design, Engineering and Manufacturing
            Energy and Waste
            Information and Communication Technologies
            Biotechnologies and Therapeutics.

Please click HERE for the Pathfinder application and guidance. This programme has an open call which runs from September 4th, 2008 to December 15th, 2008. 
Please click HERE for the Invitation to Apply for Grant Funding which provides more detail about the scheme and the eligible projects.

Your first port of call for innovation

We will continue to develop this website to become the focal point for innovation within the East Midlands, as well as the natural point of contact for anyone outside of the region with an interest in innovation. You will be able to find information on a range of innovation topics, facts, figures and support in the East Midlands and links to other related sites.

This website will also be home to information and updates on the regional innovation Festival (iFestival). Clicking on the iFestival logo on the left will provide you with up-to-date iFestival information.

We want to develop an innovation community that works together to bring bright ideas to life and create a great future for the East Midlands. To this end, we will be providing valuable information, connections and opportunities along four key themes:

The Exchange

Creating and driving forward collaborations between business people and researchers

The Support

Helping businesses to nurture new ideas and maximise their money-making potential

The Network

Building an inclusive, inspiring and celebratory environment throughout the region

The Future

Capitalising on new opportunities to ensure our businesses stay ahead of the competition.

Click on the images to the left to learn more about these areas.