We have allocated up to £5m to fund business-led collaborative research and development projects in plastic electronics. This is an emerging technology area that the UK is in a good position to exploit to create wealth, providing we develop the technology in conjunction with end-users and build supply chains to be able to deploy in large-scale manufacturing. 

• We will fund mostly applied R&D (attracting 50% public funding) and experimental development (25% public funding). We will also consider industry orientated basic research (75% public funding) providing a strong case is made.
• We intend to invest between £500k and £2m in each project, although we will consider larger projects.
• Projects are expected to last 2-3 years and result in a demonstrator or proof of principle. The competition will open on 18th January 2010.

Competition opens 18th January 2010
Optional briefing 28th January 2010
Optional expression of interest submission period 18th January 2010 to 18th February 2010
Expression of interest deadline (noon) 25th February 2010
Feedback on expressions of interest provided by 19th March 2010
Stage 2 opens (for invited applications) 22nd March 2010
Compulsory applicants briefing (London) 31st March 2010
Registration of intent to submit deadline (noon) 22nd April 2010
Deadline for receipt of full applications (noon) 29th April 2010
Decision to applicants 4th June 2010