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News Release from: Technology Strategy Board | Subject: IKCs
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 December 2007
Investment in new Innovation and
Knowledge Centres
Two new 'Innovation and Knowledge Centres' will provide a major boost to the early commercial exploitation of emerging technologies
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Technology Strategy Board, together with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) are seeking bids from leading universities who wish to host two new Innovation and Knowledge Centres (IKCs) The IKCs will promote the early commercialisation of world class research, by combining within a single integrated centre the best research with the best business development, market analysis and commercialisation skills and partnerships to accelerate its exploitation
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 11 Dec 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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The new Innovation and Knowledge Centres will each receive financial support of about GBP9.5 million, spread over 5 years.
The EPSRC (together with the BBSRC where appropriate) and Technology Strategy Board will contribute GBP7 million and GBP2.5 million respectively, with further funding coming from universities, industry and other sponsors.
Universities have been invited to express an interest in hosting one of the centres.
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After a thorough assessment and selection process it is anticipated the new centres will be announced in September 2008.
The announcement follows the establishment of two pilot IKCs by EPSRC in November 2005 - one at Cambridge University in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for Photonics and Electronics, and one at the Optic Technium centre in North Wales in Ultra Precision and Structured Surfaces, involving Cranfield, UCL and Cambridge universities.
These centres were recently reviewed by a panel of experts and are already demonstrating significant impact in numerous sectors through the synergistic engagement of cutting edge science and technology facilities and know-how with the business sector.
The EPSRC Chief Executive, Professor David Delpy, said: "We are delighted that the Technology Strategy Board is to join with us to help establish these two vital new centres.
The prime goal of IKCs is to accelerate and promote business exploitation of an emerging research and technology field.
The centres will combine world class research with the skills and partnerships to accelerate commercial exploitation".
Commenting on the decision to fund the new centres, the Technology Strategy Board Chief Executive, Iain Gray, said "This is an excellent example of how the Technology Strategy Board and the Research Councils can work together for the benefit of UK society and business.
Exploiting emerging technologies is key to the UK increasing future global competitiveness.
The Technology Strategy Board involvement in these new centres will help to provide the critical commercial skills and support needed to realise the potential of exciting new emerging technologies coming through from research".
Only leading edge research groups, who have identified emerging technologies and who have the scientific strength to ensure these can be developed into major commercial opportunities, will be successful.
The IKCs will provide support for 5 years of intensive early stage development and commercialisation, which will bring technologies close to market.
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