Key Takeaways:
- CR&D is spearheading the revolution of net-zero automotive technology in the UK through funding competitions.
- CR&D’s competitive grants foster late-stage R&D projects to accelerate the UK towards a sustainable automotive future.
- Collaborative projects securing long-term R&D investment are crucial to achieving a net-zero carbon emission vehicle industry.
- UK-registered businesses of any size, academic institutions, charities, public sector organisations, and research and technology organisations (RTO) are eligible to participate in the CR&D competition.
- Subcontracting opportunities are open, encouraging UK and international participants to play vital roles in building a greener automotive future.
Competition Landscape: CR&D Industrialising Net-Zero Automotive Technology
CR&D spearheads a major competition series aiming to industrialise net-zero automotive technology in the UK. The most recent of these competitions, CR&D, provides a unique opportunity for UK registered businesses to engage in late-stage R&D projects and secure a slice of a £20 million funding pie. This initiative encourages businesses to contribute to the UK’s broader vision of a sustainable automotive future, meeting future demand and strengthening the global impact of the UK automotive industry.
For more information, please refer to the comprehensive competition overview.
Aiming High: CR&D’s Funding Scope
CR&D aims to inject up to £20 million into promising R&D projects, focusing on collaborative, pre-production research to support the UK’s transition to net-zero product manufacturing and supply chains within the automotive sector.
Table 1: CR&D Funding Breakdown
| Funding Type | Project Size | Competition Open | Competition Close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | £2.5 million – £20 million | 3 July 2023 | 20 September 2023 11:00am |
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria
CR&D opens the door to a broad range of UK-based participants. From startups to large corporations, public sector organisations to research institutions, there’s room for every player on the field to participate.
Table 2: Eligibility Criteria for Lead Organisation and Project Team
| Lead Organisation | Project Team |
|---|---|
| UK registered business of any size with an active registered business base in the UK. Must be a grant recipient and collaborate with other UK registered organisations. | UK registered businesses of any size, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profit organisations, public sector organisations, RTOs. Must involve at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). |
Collaborative Effort: The Role of Non-funded Partners and Subcontractors
CR&D encourages collaborations, involving non-funded partners and subcontractors in competition projects. It allows inclusion of partners that do not receive any competition funding, such as non-UK businesses, counting their costs towards the total project costs.
Harnessing the Potential of Repeat Applications
The CR&D competition allows organisations to leverage previous applications, with a limit of two submissions without a material change. However, previous funding will be withdrawn if the organisation has failed to exploit a previously funded project, has an overdue independent accountant’s report, has failed to comply with grant terms and conditions, or has overdue levy payments to the CR&D.
Subsidy Control and Compliance
Compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022 is a fundamental requirement in this competition. All funding awarded should align with current Subsidy Control legislation in the United Kingdom, ensuring fair competition within the country and beyond.
Funding Allocation: Bridging the Gap to Industrialisation
The CR&D annually invests up to £75 million into CR&D projects, pushing for pre-production projects that can bring us closer to a sustainable automotive future. In the CR&D round, £20 million is up for grabs, with the requirement that a minimum of 70% of the total project costs must be incurred by commercial organisations.
Funding amounts vary depending on the type and size of the organisation. For industrial research projects, micro or small organisations can receive up to 70% funding, medium-sized organisations up to 60%, and large organisations up to 50%. For experimental development projects nearer to market, funding allocation ranges from 45% for micro or small organisations, 35% for medium-sized organisations, and 25% for large organisations.
Moving Forward: The Path to a Sustainable Automotive Future
With the opportunities provided by CR&D, the UK is poised to accelerate its transition towards a net-zero automotive future. The industrial revolution of net-zero automotive technology is a major leap forward, positioning the UK as a global leader in sustainable automotive innovation.
By fostering an ecosystem of collaborative research and development, the CR&D competition is creating a roadmap for progress, stimulating economic growth, and anchoring the value-add across the whole supply chain. From microenterprises to large organisations, every player in the UK automotive sector has a part to play in driving this revolution forward.
In the race towards net-zero emissions, it is partnerships and collaborations that will fuel the engines of change. It is the combined efforts of every stakeholder that will ensure the UK meets the future demand of vehicle makers and users, strengthening the UK’s global impact. The journey may be challenging, but the destination is clear – a sustainable, net-zero future.
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