The Government-led Innovation UK organisation is inviting UK businesses to apply for a share of £15 million to work on projects that tackle challenges in manufacturing and materials. Projects must cover one of the following areas: innovation in a manufacturing system, technology, process or business model; or innovation in materials development, properties, integration or re-use (materials could include nano-materials, ceramics, metals and inter-metallics, polymers, composites, coatings and smart materials).

The competition opens 21 November, with the deadline for registration 18 January 2017. Innovate UK expects to support a range of projects lasting between six months and three years and with total costs of between £50,000 and £2 million. A briefing event for potential applicants will be held on 23 November. For more information, visit the Web site (www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-competition-manufacturing-and-
materials-round-2).