A new round of funding to support innovative, market-focused energy solutions in any sector.
Up to £32m is to be invested in innovation projects that will help countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia access secure, low-cost and low-carbon energy. Energy Catalyst Round 7 is part of part of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and Transforming Energy Access (TEA) Programme and the investment is from Innovate UK, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID).
The aim of the competition is to support highly innovative, market-focused energy solutions in any technology or sector or international market. Focusing on the needs of poor households, businesses and services in Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, projects must be targeted at people who are unable to afford or access existing solutions, or who lack the time or expertise to successfully use those solutions.
Energy Catalyst Round 7 is looking for projects that address all three elements of the energy ‘trilemma’:
- cost
- emissions
- security of supply and energy access
Applications: There are three options to apply into this competition. These are referred to as strands and will be run in parallel. The strands are dependent on the stage your project is at:
- early stage for feasibility studies
- mid-stage for industrial research
- late stage for experimental development
To be eligible for funding for mid and late stage, at least some of the research and development, testing or demonstration activities must be carried out in Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia as well as having a partner with a legal entity in Sub Saharan Africa or South Asia.
Energy Catalyst Round 7 events
KTN is running several briefing and brokerage events to outline the competition scope in detail:
- Glasgow, 11 June (as part of the Clean Growth and Infrastructure Innovation Event)
- London, 13 June
- Webinar, 13 June
- Birmingham, 20 June
- Newcastle, 24 June
- St Asaph, 28 June
To book, simply click on the relevant date and location to go to the registration page.
Energy Catalyst Round 7 overseas missions
Global Challenges Research Fund is seeking applications for three Energy Catalyst missions – Burma, Ethiopia and Kenya – to take place in July. The missions are designed to support the Energy Catalyst Round 7 funding and will offer innovators applying for Energy Catalyst Round 7 a unique opportunity to gain greater understanding of the energy access issues in Burma, Ethiopia and Kenya and foster links with potential partners.
For more information, links to the application forms and important dates, click here.
Online partnering
KTN is providing an online partnering platform, Meeting Mojo, to support potential applicants in finding partners. This is available to both UK and international organisations. Meeting Mojo allows you to search for and message potential partners to form a consortium for this competition. To register on the site, please click here.
More info:
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