Technology Strategy Board

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Connect and Catalyse
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Competiton FAQs

Technology Strategy Board Competition for funding

This document provides potential applicants with answers to a number of frequently asked questions. These will be revised and added to over time in response to queries from applicants and assessors. The questions are divided into the following areas:

The Technology Strategy Board;
Competition Funding;
Submitting Applications;
Funding;
Post Offer Letter Stage.

Technology Strategy Board competitions are in a mode of progressive change in order to respond to the continual changes required to engage with UK business and to react pro-actively to the growing demands of technology priorities. Due to this, if an applicant has previously entered into a Technology Strategy Board competition, please do not assume the process and details are the same; they are not and as such will require applicants to read through the competition information and documents and to familiarise themselves accordingly.

Detailed guidance for applicants on the individual competition application process and the appraisal criteria are provided in the Guidance for Applicants document available via the Technology Strategy Board website and referred to in these FAQs as the Guidance for Applicants document.

Should you have any questions that are not addressed either in the Guidance for Applicants document or these Frequently Asked Questions, please contact the Technology Strategy Board's Helpline on 0300 321 4357 or Competitions@tsb.gov.uk

The Technology Strategy Board

1. What is the Technology Strategy Board?

The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led, government funded organisation whose purpose is to promote and invest in technology-enabled innovation to boost UK business and prosperity. This is achieved by taking a lead in investing in new ideas, building networks and promoting the exchange of knowledge between industries, academia and society as a whole.

The Technology Strategy Board believe their role is to 'Connect and Catalyse', evidenced by the following examples of interaction and leadership:

Provide strategic innovation leadership and investment;
Bring people together in partnership through collaboration and working across business, government and the research community;
Ensure the UK has the necessary capability in key technologies;
Take a global perspective;
Promote the importance of innovation and technology.

2. What is the agenda of the Technology Strategy Board?

The Technology Strategy Board's agenda is to address business needs. We operate in areas where there is a clear potential business benefit and where technologies can be applied in the market - helping today's emerging technologies become the growth sectors of tomorrow. To help the UK achieve its full potential, there is a clear focus on three strategic areas:

Challenge-led innovation

Treating the challenges facing society and the economy as opportunities to find ways of improving quality of life and increasing wealth.

Technology-inspired innovation

Supporting core expertise and leading edge technologies will help underpin UK business growth and we will also invest in the next generation of technologies and industries.

The innovation climate

A commitment to fostering national confidence in the power of innovation to create opportunities and provide economic growth.

...working with partners

We work closely with other bodies, combining and focusing resources; activities are often jointly funded with research councils, government departments, regional development agencies and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Competition Funding

3. How do I find out what competitions the Technology Strategy Board are running?

All competition details are held on our website http://www.innovateuk.org/competitions.ashx

4. How is the funding allocated across the technology priorities?

Applications for funding and awards for contracts are invited through a range of competitions which address a specific area of priority identified by the Technology Strategy Board as being of critical importance to the growth of the UK economy. Research & Development competitions are mainly collaborative; however with exception may be single company. Applicants are advised to check the Competition Brief carefully for the rules being applied to individual competitions. All competitions are directed by the Technology Strategy Board as part of a cross-Government initiative involving a range of other funders; Research Councils, Devolved Administrations and Regional Development Agencies, and other Government Departments. Further information on the Technology Strategy Board is available at http://www.innovateuk.org

5. How do I apply to enter a competition?

There are two key documents to guide applicants through a competition:

Competition Brief - this document will provide key competition information such as the technical summary, background, challenge, scope, research area, funding available, entry requirements, key events and dates, as well as the competition helpline details. The document can be downloaded from the competition website: http://www.innovateuk.org/competitions.ashx
Guidance for Applicants - this is the comprehensive governing document of the competition process and is available as the competition opens. It provides the background, competition outline, funding levels and conditions, competition stages (depending on the type of competition), finance criteria and further information regarding the competition process. http://www.innovateuk.org/competitions.ashx

Each competition is different and the information provided is unique to the competition it represents. Therefore it is important for the applicant to ensure they have the correct information document for the competition they may wish to enter.

More specific details are given below in the section titled "Submitting Applications".

6. How much funding is available for a Competition?

The Competition Brief and the Guidance for Applicants will state the levels of funding available for a competition. The Technology Strategy Board provides a range of competitions covering a broad spectrum of technology areas (see the website www.innovateuk.org). By nature of the reference to 'competition' it is important to note that a process applies and a set of rules govern the criteria and qualification into this competitive process; the timelines set are a key component of the rules and cannot be changed once a competition has opened. Please see the specific Competition documents for each stage of the Competition.

7. How can I get advice on whether my project aligns with a technology priority?

Initially, once a competition officially opens, you will have the opportunity to attend the Optional Applicant Briefing Event. This will provide you with a comprehensive range of information about the competition covering the competition scope, both from a technical and also a market perspective, the competition rules that apply, along with, the competition process you are required to follow. All presentations given at the competition events will also be published and available on the Technology Strategy Board website: http://www.innovateuk.org within three working days after the event. Along with these presentations and the Competition Brief, you should also study the Guidance for Applicants document as this will answer many of your questions. Additionally, in some, but not all, competitions there is the opportunity to submit an optional Expression of Interest. This Optional Expression of Interest is intended to indicate to applicants whether their proposal is likely to be within the scope of the competition and will also indicate whether the application appears to address the relevant questions. Finally, you have the option to contact the Helpline on 0300 321 4357.

8. What if I have a project that does not fall into any of the technology priority areas identified in the competition?

Your project will only be considered for funding if it directly addresses one or more of the technology priority areas identified in the Competition Brief. If you register onto the mailing list via the Technology Strategy Board website: http://www.innovateuk.org you will be informed of any forthcoming competitions as and when they are announced, at least you will be kept abreast of future competitions which may fit your project ideas. We would also advise you to register with the Knowledge Transfer Network in your area of interest and make specific requests to them for any other funding opportunities in the UK for your area of interest. Their website can be located via the Technology Strategy Board by searching KTN on the home page.

9. What is the application process?

The application process is detailed in the Guidance for Applicants document and is unique and specific for each individual competition. It is therefore important for you to ensure you have the correct competition information. In the event that you have no specific competition interest, but merely wish to familiarise yourself with the Technology Strategy Board's competition processes, you can find a range of previously issued competition documents under competitions website.

Submitting Applications

10. Where do I get an Application Form?

Application Forms are available via the Technology Strategy Board website (www.innovateuk.org). Go to the current competitions page and follow the link to the appropriate competition.

11. Can I enter into more than one technology area competition?

Each competition is designed to address a particular technology area. If you believe your project addresses more than one technology area, you may enter as long as your proposal complies with the specific technical challenged being addressed in each Competition Brief for each of the competitions you are entering. If you wish to enter more than one competition within the Technology Strategy Boards range of competitions published, you can do so, but will need to be able to evidence that you are able to sustain your involvement for the full duration of the project life in the event that you may be successful for funding of more than one proposal. A range of satisfaction criteria may be requested of you to provide assurances of your financial and physical resource capacity to do so.

12. Can I submit applications for more than one project within the competition?

Yes, but you must submit separate forms for each project proposed. Each application should be distinct and aligned with the Competition documents. We will be asking you to identify where there are multiple, discreet or linked, proposals going forward.

13. Does the Competition process help put applicants together (marriage broker)?

The majority of Technology Strategy Board R & D competitions are collaborative in nature and therefore projects must be delivered by a consortium. We would expect that you will have identified the constituent make up of your consortium prior to applying and as such we do not assist with this process during the competition process.

The Technology Strategy Board does however facilitate bringing parties together through Knowledge Transfer Networks. A Knowledge Transfer Network is a national network in a specific field of technology or business application, which brings together people from businesses, universities, in addition to research, finance and technology organisations, in order to stimulate innovation through knowledge exchange. The networks have over 45,000 members. You can access information of the KTN by registering onto the website:http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/knowledgetransfernetworks.ashx

14. Can an academic organisation apply?

In conjunction with at least one industrial partner, yes. However the project must demonstrate that it is industry driven and has industry commitment. There may also be some instances where the academic partner is treated the same (financially) as the industry partner (this will mean the funding limit to the academic is capped at a level lower than their usual 80% FEC costs). The academic, in such instances, will need to have alternative revenue streams to make up their contribution to the project.

15. Should the lead organisation in a consortium be an industry or an academic organisation?

The lead organisation, in most cases should be an industrial or commercial organisation, however, each competition has different requirements and rules, therefore the Competition Brief and the Guidance for Applicants must be referred to, as the criteria that apply will be outlined and fully explained in that document. In all instances however should an academic wish to lead a consortium the proposal must present a clear and full justification for this and the project must be industrially driven.

16. Can spinout companies from universities apply?

Yes. However, where the university or other public sector body has 50% or greater ownership of the spinout, the spinout will be treated as a large organisation, which will affect the eligibility of its costs and level of any grant that can be awarded. In cases where both the spinout and the university are involved in the same collaboration, the additionality and added value brought to the collaboration between the two organisations through the project will need to be justified.

Spinout companies with less than 10 employees should refer to the Appendix for Sole Traders, Partnerships and Micro-Companies in the Guidance for Applicants document.

17. Can a start-up business apply?

In principle, yes. Start-up businesses with less than 10 employees should refer to Appendix for Sole Traders, Partnerships and Micro-Companies in the Guidance for Applicants document.

18. Can sole-traders and partnerships apply?

In principle, yes. They should refer to the Appendix for Sole Traders, Partnerships and Micro-Companies in the Guidance for Applicants document. Note that they should have at least 12 months trading history; in some cases, guarantees may also be requested.

19. How many partners can there be in a consortium?

There must be at least two partners in a consortium, but there is no upper limit. Applicants must explain the role(s) of each of the project partners and what value that partner will be adding to the project and the exploitation of its outcomes. An unduly large group may be unwieldy in practice. A consortium must include at least one industry partner.

20. What are the Partner requirements for EUREKA and EUREKA Eurostars projects?

There needs to be at least one UK industrial partner. Academics and HEI's are welcome to participate in projects but need to self fund or source funds from other sources such as the research councils. Industry does not need an academic or HEI partner in the UK to participate.

21. What are the Partner requirements for Eranet+ projects?

There needs to be at least one UK industrial partner. For UK HEI participation there is required at least one UK industrial partner.

Industry does not need an academic or HEI partner in the UK to participate.

The Technology Strategy Board is funding UK participation in a number of eranet+ calls. For other eranet+ participation criteria please look at the individual eranet+ projects.

22. What are the Partner requirements for ARTEMIS and ENIAC Joint Technology Initiative projects?

There needs to be at least one UK industrial partner. For UK HEI participation there is required at least one UK industrial partner. Industry does not need an academic or HEI partner in the UK to participate.

23. What is the difference between a consortium partner and a subcontractor?

A partner in a consortium will typically have a significant input to, and role in, the project and will be able to exploit the results of the project through the terms of the Collaboration Agreement, including for example, preferential access to intellectual property rights (IPR) created by the project. A subcontractor's role is expected to be less significant and its work will be subcontracted to the project through one of the partners at a normal commercial rate. A subcontractor does not have financial input to or a management role in the project and is not included in the collaboration agreement and is not therefore able to benefit preferentially from any IPR created by the project.

24. Can a public sector body be a consortium partner?

The support and involvement of public sector bodies in a project, either through the provision of funding or other support, is encouraged. Public sector bodies do not receive funding. In most cases public sector involvement will count as part of the grant contribution to the project and reduce the cash available from the Technology Strategy Board to the other partners. If you are considering the involvement of a public sector body in your consortium you may wish to contact the Technology Strategy Board helpline to seek further clarification of how their involvement should be treated.

25. What if my research partners are not in the UK?

A key aim of The Technology Strategy Board's support is to help improve the UK's innovation performance. Collaborators outside the UK - EU and non EU - are acceptable, but there must be a clear and substantial gain for the UK brought about by their involvement. If you are considering the involvement of an international collaborator in your consortium you may wish to contact the Technology Strategy Board helpline to seek further clarification of how their involvement should be treated.

26. Can a UK company do work outside the UK or Europe within the project?

A key aim of Technology Strategy Board support is to help improve the UK's innovation performance. It will be up to the applicants to convince the Technology Strategy Board that supporting work and building intellectual capital outside the UK will meet the key aim. Note that work done outside the UK will not attract funding, although the project costs associated with the overseas work may in exceptional circumstance be included when calculating total project costs.

27. What are the gateway questions and assessment criteria against which my project will be assessed?

The gateway questions and assessment criteria are provided in the Guidance for Applicants document for the individual competition.

28. How soon can my project start?

As soon as possible and practical so long as you have received and accepted a valid Offer Letter from the Technology Strategy Board and all the partners in your project are in agreement via a signed Collaboration Agreement. Depending on the competition entered, mandatory start dates can vary from within 30 days of receipt of offer letter (more usual for short term projects i.e. Feasibility Studies or Fast Track projects) to, up to maximum of 6 months (more typical of mainstream Collaborative Research & Development projects) from receipt of offer letter.

29. How big can a project be and how long should it last?

There are two aspects to this question:

A. The Technology Strategy Board will give an indication of the size of funding and, where relevant, the anticipated total project costs, for each competition. These details will be outlined in the Competition Brief and further guidance provided in the Guidance for Applicants Document.

B. All Technology Strategy Board competitions are conducted within an indicative funding parameter this amount is stipulated in the Competition Brief and the Guidance for Applicants. If an applicants project is seeking above a certain level of public sector funding from the Technology Strategy Board it will be a requirement that the applicant makes contact to the Competition Helpline within the deadline stipulated in the Guidance for Applicants at which point information will be logged and an explanation provided of the procedure to be applied accordingly. Each case is dealt with on its own merit but the application will still be required to proceed though the submission requirements and deadline criteria of the initial stage of the competition. Details of the funding level considered 'above a certain level of public sector funding' will be outlined in the Guidance for Applicants and is specific to the competition concerned only.

30. Who owns the IP of the project?

IP developed within the project is the property of the consortium. The allocation of rights to this IP should be covered by the project's collaboration agreement. The Technology Strategy Board provides a model Consortium Agreement only as a guideline. Other model agreements are available from the Lambert Tool Kit website http://www.innovation.gov.uk/lambertagreements

Important Note:

The Collaboration Agreement should be the only agreement (in additional to the Offer Letter) between the project participants and it should incorporate the operation and exploitation of the outcomes of the project. The Collaboration Agreement can take some time to reach agreement within the Consortium participants, especially considering involvement of the participants legal and finance departments. It is therefore strongly advised that participants allow sufficient time to visit and familiarise themselves with the information provided in the Lambert Agreement website (noted above) asrategy Board this site will provide you with some very useful assistance and guidance with your collaboration agreement.

31. Where and by when am I required to exploit?

The default grant offer condition is that exploitation of the results of the project must not be outside of the European Economic Area within a period starting on the Offer Letter date and ending five years after the date on which final payment of grant is made. If applicants are able to demonstrate that it would be of major positive economic benefit to the UK and strengthen UK GDP to also exploit the results outside of the European Economic Area, the Technology Strategy Board may grant an assent to vary the Offer Letter. However, this will be in exceptional circumstances only and considered by the Technology Strategy Board on a case-by-case basis.

32. How much information about my application will the Technology Strategy Board make public?

All applications for funding are treated in confidence and no information will be made public during the application and assessment process.

At the end of the application and assessment process, the Technology Strategy Board will usually issue a press release or publish a notice on its website. These may, for example, outline the overall results of funding competitions and describe some of the projects to be funded. The titles of projects and names of consortium members may also be listed. The Technology Strategy Board will respect the wishes of partners if they do not want information about their project to be made public.

In addition, information about new projects will be placed on the Technology Strategy Board's project database, which is publicly accessible. This will usually include: title, abstract, names of the project partners, project cost, amount of grant and contact details of the lead partner. The Technology Strategy Board will respect the wishes of consortium partners if they do not want information about their project to be disclosed.Information about unsuccessful project applications will remain confidential and will not be made public.

In your full stage application form, you will be asked to provide the Technology Strategy Board with information about your publicity preferences and a form of words describing your project for use in publicity material should you project be successful. If you do not opt out of publicity, your project may be listed publicly and featured in press releases/ and or other publicity material.

Any successful consortium that wishes to publicise their project, at any stage, must contact the Media Relations Manager at the Technology Strategy Board before doing so as we reserve the right in some cases to ask you to defer publicity until we have issued a press release. You should e-mail Claire Cunningham at: pressoffice@tsb.gov.uk

33. What information is released into the public domain during, on completion and after the project lifecycle?

It is for consortium partners to agree how to manage the public relations aspects of their project. The Technology Strategy Board encourages all consortia to adopt a positive approach towards seeking publicity but respects that some may have sound reasons for preferring project information to remain confidential. Academics are encouraged to publish the findings of their research. However this must be done in the manner agreed in the project's Collaboration Agreement.

Consortium partners intending to make public announcements about their project are required to consult the Technology Strategy Board in advance.

The Technology Strategy Board maintains a project database, which is publicly accessible. For each project this will usually include: title, abstract, names of partners, project costs, amount of grants and contact details of the lead partner. The Technology Strategy Board will respect the wishes of consortium partners if they do not want information about their project to be disclosed.

The Technology Strategy Board also compiles project case studies, which are used to help publicise the Board's activities and the benefits of its programmes. Such material will be agreed with consortium members before it is disclosed.

In your full stage application form, you will be asked to provide the Technology Strategy Board with information about your publicity preferences and a form of words describing your project for use in publicity material should you project be successful. If you do not opt out of publicity, your project may be listed publicly and featured in press releases/ and or other publicity material.

Any consortium that wishes to publicise their project, at any stage, must contact the Media Relations Manager at the Technology Strategy Board before doing so as we reserve the right in some cases to ask you to defer publicity until we have issued a press release. You should e-mail Claire Cunningham at: pressoffice@tsb.gov.uk

34. Are there any ethical or health and safety concerns associated with the Technology Strategy Board?

It is important that public concerns about technologies are addressed and any unfounded fears dispelled. For all technology priorities featuring in any competition, project participants will be responsible for ensuring that individual projects are carried out according to the current legislative, regulatory and protocol frameworks. Details of whether any of these apply and if so, the requirements stipulated, will indicated in the Competition Brief and will be fully outlined in the Guidance for Applicants.

35. Are there any restrictions on "defence" industry projects?

Projects are to serve civilian and not defence purposes. Projects aimed at developing technology for defence related products will not be funded under by the Technology services Board. However, projects aimed at developing civilian uses from technology developed for defence purposes will be eligible.

36. Who assesses the projects?

Independent assessors with a range of appropriate and relevant expertise, knowledge and experience in the technology areas concerned and the industry sectors are appointed by the Technology Strategy Board for each competition for funding. Each application is assessed by up to five assessors.

37. If my project is rejected can I re-submit it in a future competition?

Reworked applications may be submitted in a future competition if they directly address one of the technology priorities in that competition. However it should be noted that the Application Forms and specific applicant guidance differ slightly across competitions. If you are re-submitting a previous application you must ensure that you refer to the Guidance for Applicants document for the specific competition to which you are now applying and that you complete and submit the Application Form and supporting documentation for that competition. Application Forms from previous competitions will not be accepted.

38. To what levels are projects funded?

The funding levels, thresholds and maximum grant sought limits (where applicable) for projects are provided in the Guidance for Applicants document and the Competition Brief for each competition.

39. How are Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) funded?

A Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) can operate as either an industrial partner or academic partner within a consortium. In addition, there are certain functions that an RTO can undertake that are deemed to be for the benefit of the wider community as a whole. The implications of these roles for RTO and overall project funding within the context of the Technology Strategy Board are addressed in the Appendix section of the Guidance for Applicants document and will be headed Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs).

40. Who are the co-funders for the competition?

As a general rule, Technology Strategy Board is the primary funder of competitions administered by the Technology Strategy Board. The Research Councils act as co-funders for specific competitions and technology priority areas where these are of direct interest to them and are in areas which meet their funding policies. Other co-funding bodies might include other Government Departments, Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations. Details of the co-funders for each specific competition are detailed in the Competition Brief and on our website www.innovateuk.org, however, this information may change as the competition progresses. In some instances, co-funders are not announced as they may come in at the end of the competition

41. Why are the Research Councils co-funding competitions?

The Research Councils have collaborated with the DTI on LINK programmes since the mid 1980's and now with the Technology Strategy Board, are keen to maintain this engagement through Collaborative Research & Development. The Research Councils see Collaborative Research & Development as an excellent way of promoting knowledge transfer by encouraging innovative companies to work with important groups from the UK Research Base. Knowledge Transfer is a key objective in the Government's 10 year Investment Framework for Science and Innovation. Research Councils will continue to support LINK Programmes in partnership with Other Government Departments.

42. Can other public sector bodies (other than the named co-funders for the competition) also provide funding for my project?

Yes. You cannot however apply for funding from them through the Technology Strategy Board and you must make separate arrangements for the funding with the public sector body concerned. Details of any funding you have arranged with other public sector bodies must be included as required on your Application Form. Note that total funding from all public sector bodies cannot exceed the limits provided in the Guidance for Applicants document.

43. Is funding from EU programmes a permissible source of other public sector funding?

Yes. However total funding from all public sector bodies cannot exceed the limits provided in the Guidance for Applicants document.

44. Which costs can I include in my application for funding?

An outline of the main eligible costs that the Technology Strategy Board is prepared to support is provided in the Guidance for Applicants document.

45. Can I include Intellectual Property (IP) as an eligible cost?

In general this cannot be included. However if the IP is being "bought-in" from an entity that is not a project partner (i.e. is not included in the Offer Letter) and is not related in any way to any of the project partners, this may be considered as an eligible cost. For IP owned by project partners, exclusive IP, i.e. IP which cannot be used elsewhere if it is being used in the project, may be included as an eligible cost. Non-exclusive IP cannot, although there may be costs associated with IP that can be included as eligible costs. If you consider that certain IP costs should be included in your eligible costs you should contact the Helpline prior to submitting your Application Form to discuss and establish whether these costs are eligible.

46. Can I claim the costs of IP protection?

Only SMEs can include a small, realistic figure of up to £5,000 per partner for new IP protection.

47. How are pension and National Insurance costs treated and where do I include them?

Pension contributions and other package costs are treated as part of labour and should be included in your labour costs calculations. Employers National Insurance should also be included in the labour cost.

48. How do I add and describe cash contributions?

If you plan to make a cash contribution within your project, i.e. one partner donating cash to another, this should be cost neutral to the overall project finances. The way to show this is for the donating organisation to show a cash contribution as a positive "Other Cost" in their Finance Form, and the receiving partner to show an equal negative "Other Cost" on their Finance Form. Where a cash contribution is being made from an organisation outside the consortium, the receiving partner must show this as a negative "Other Costs" on their Finance Form.

49. What is an in-kind contribution?

In-kind contributions are goods or services provided free of charge by a party that is not a member of the consortium and not subject to the terms and conditions of an Offer Letter. The value of the contribution should be shown as a positive "Other Cost" in the receiving partner's Finance Form. Note that this is not the case for external cash contributions - see the above question on cash contributions.

50. What are the Offer Letter rules?

An Indicative Offer Letter with standard terms and conditions is available via the Technology Strategy Board website. The deadline for agreeing the terms of the offer for your project and returning a signed copy of the Offer Letter to the Technology Strategy Board is stipulated in the Guidance for Applicants and can range from one to two months from the date of the issue of the Offer Letter for your project, depending on the competition rules that apply.

51. Where can I find an example of a collaboration agreement?

An example collaboration agreement is provided on the Technology Strategy Board website. Other model agreements are available from the Lambert Tool Kit website http://www.innovation.gov.uk/lambertagreements

52. How are R&D tax credits affected by the funding offered from the Technology Programme?

For SME's the whole of a company's eligible costs for the project - whether paid for by its own contribution or by the Technology Strategy Board - attract R&D tax credits at the large company rate. That means the company can claim all of its eligible R&D costs as R&D tax credits against its taxable profits, thus reducing its corporation tax bill. For further information talk to your tax office or see www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cirdmanual/CIRD81670.htm; and www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cirdmanual/CIRD89000.htm; more general information on R&D tax credits is available from www.hmrc.gov.uk/randd/ andwww.innovation.gov.uk/randd/.

Post Offer Letter Stage

53. How will projects be monitored?

Projects will be monitored in accordance with the terms of the Offer Letter. Monitoring is likely to be undertaken by specialist contractors and involve quarterly reporting and progress meetings attended by the appointed Monitoring Officer.

54. How will projects be audited?

Projects will be audited in accordance with the terms of the Offer Letter.

55. Who will audit the projects?

Each project partner is required to appoint an independent auditor to audit their project costs in accordance with the terms of the offer letter.

56. What happens if a consortium partner withdraws during the project?

The Technology Strategy Board must be notified of the withdrawal of a partner and appropriate actions to address this must be agreed. The remaining partners will need to consider whether the original aims of the project can be met by rebalancing the work within the smaller consortium or whether they need to recruit a new partner. However, it is possible that the withdrawal of a key partner means that the project has to be abandoned.

57. What happens if a consortium partner is changed or added during the project?

Any proposed changes in partner arrangements must be discussed and agreed with the Technology Strategy Board before being implemented. All partners in the consortium must be happy with the new arrangements and a revised collaboration agreement will need to be agreed. Note that no further funding will be made available if extra partners are added.

These FAQs are correct at going to press. They may be updated and any significant issues arising should be cleared through the Helpline on 0300 321 4357 or competitions@tsb.gov.uk

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