EUREKA Collaborative R&D Competition - Photonics for Advanced Manufacturing

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing up to £2m to fund UK businesses, Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and Universities participating in collaborative projects conducting predominantly industrial research with partners from the participating countries of the EUREKA Network in Photonics. These countries are:

• Austria
• France
• Germany
• Israel
• Poland
• Switzerland
• UK

Project proposals must consist of at least two independent organisations from at least two of the participating countries of the EUREKA Network in Photonics. UK participation must include at least one UK-based SME. UK-based businesses of any size can lead on a project proposal.

UK-based Universities and Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs), though they cannot lead on a proposal, are welcome to participate as partners in a consortium subject to the above conditions.

Organisations from other countries, including other EUREKA member-states, can participate in project proposals but they will not receive funding under the terms of this call. Proposals must clearly explain why their participation is deemed necessary and how the respective organisations will finance it.

The EUREKA collaborative R&D competition in photonics for advanced manufacturing specifically addresses photonic technologies in order to improve processes and/or products. Collaborative R&D and Innovation project proposals must:

• address at least one of the photonic technologies and at least one of the industry sectors listed below
• focus on photonic technologies and their integration in specific manufacturing processes and/or products
• demonstrate the potential to significantly improve the related processes and/or products

Photonic technologies that are in scope include, but are not limited to: laser machining; additive manufacturing; selective laser sintering; photonic curing; optical process control; process analytical technology (PAT); 3D optical sensing and imaging including spectral and hyperspectral imaging; millimetre wave imaging and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technologies; photo-, stereo- or laser-based lithography.

Industry sectors that are in scope include, but are not limited to: electronic and computer components; electro-mechanical engineering; transportation and automotive manufacturing, including for sport competition; aviation/aerospace; materials; chemical and pharmaceutical industries; food control industries; safety and quality engineering; manufacturing technologies.

Full information on the competiton can be found online here.