£100m for innovative research

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is to invest £100m in a new programme of collaborative research and development. It is inviting research proposals in eight technology areas, starting this month. The first three areas are ‘materials for energy’, ‘high value manufacturing’ and ‘cell therapy’. In December, submissions are invited in ‘low carbon energy technologies’, ‘advanced lighting’ and ‘technologies for health’. In January, two new competitions open: ‘gathering data in complex environments’ and ‘creative industries’. The announcement was made by John Denham, secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills, at the recent Innovate 07 conference in London. At the same time, TSB will support a new ‘innovation platform’ on assisted living – which will challenge researchers and innovators to develop new technologies to help people care for themselves in old age. TSB also announced that its total investment has topped £1 billion since it was formed in 2004.