Anchored to the critical mass of expertise, talent and capabilities on-site, Harwell Campus currently hosts three rapidly-growing clusters in Space, HealthTec, EnergyTec, and an emerging Cluster in Quantum. Sci-Tech Daresbury hosts the North West HealthTec Cluster and is working with partners to develop clusters in Digital Tech and Space.
The cluster model encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and drives innovation, across areas that are important for driving productivity and growth in the UK economy.
The aim of this funding is to stimulate engagement with organisations across the six clusters:
Should you apply?
The call invites proof of concept projects from any area related to the clusters in Space, EnergyTec, HealthTec, and Digital Tech. Your project must be business-led and involve one or more project partners from a campus cluster. We are keen to support multi-disciplinary projects, although it is not a requirement of funding.
This call also invites applications to a special highlight in quantum computing.
The call invites applications from businesses, which collaborate with one or more cluster organisation. These collaborations can be between industries or between industry and research organisations (including universities). Applicants are encouraged to collaborate across the two campuses and/or between the different clusters.
All applications must be completed in full and submitted along with supporting documentation by 5:30 pm on 17 November 2021.
Previous projects
Since 2017, STFC and partners have invested over £1.2m across 80 Proof of Concept projects, supporting early-stage innovations and leveraging over £1m in matched funding.
“We are thrilled to have been supported by STFC, via the Proof of Concept fund to develop the tool that can culture human cells in 3D formation. This process would not have been possible without accessing STFC’s unique facilities and accessing guidance from its experts” - Valon Llabjani, founder and CEO, Revivocell
The Proof of Concept programme enabled us to accelerate the integration of our technology in a novel application, but also introduced us to other great companies on the campus, to learn about their capabilities. It was an extremely worthwhile experience” - David Haskett, CEO, SubTera
Want to find out more?
If you have any questions or would like further advice on the most appropriate cluster organisation to work with, please contact us. One of the team will be in contact as soon as possible.
Or contact your relevant Cluster Manager.
How to apply?
Please express your interest via email and the team will send you the application forms and guide you through the application process.
Closing date: 5:30 pm on 17 November 2021.
New for 2021
We're delighted to announce that this year's call is in partnership with the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC).
The NQCC has provided funding for this highlight. It aims to stimulate industry engagement, and interactions with the campus clusters, focussed on quantum computing. Your project must be business-led. Companies that are not currently associated with one of the established clusters at Harwell and Sci-Tech Daresbury can apply to this highlight call, with prior permission from NQCC.
Case Studies
3D technology key to improving drug development
Revivocell Ltd has accessed Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) unique facilities, equipped laboratories and expertise to carry out research and development into human cells in 3D formation. To solve Revivocell’s challenge of developing a novel cell culture platform that can better simulate the function of the liver, the parts needed for mimicking the tissue were 3D printed. This was supported via STFC's Cross Cluster Proof of Concept fund.