We are making fast progress in creating a network of world-leading technology and innovation centres, called Catapults, to transform the UK’s capability for innovation in specific technology areas and help drive future economic growth.
The first Catapult, in high value manufacturing, opened for business in October 2011, less than a year after Prime Minister David Cameron announced the £200m+ technology and innovation centre programme. Two more Catapults, in cell therapy and offshore renewable energy are on schedule to open by summer 2012. The Catapults in Space Applications, and Connected Digital Economy, both announced in January 2012 and due to open in Autumn 2012, brings the total of Catapults announced so far to five.
Catapult centres can create a critical mass for business and research innovation by focusing on a specific technology where there is a potentially large global market and a significant UK capability. These centres will be an important part of the UK's innovation system, making a major long-term contribution to UK economic growth. They will allow businesses to access equipment and expertise that would otherwise be out of reach, as well as conducting their own in-house R&D. They will also help businesses access new funding streams and point them towards the potential of emerging technologies.
The new investment will further bridge the gap between universities and businesses, helping to commercialise the outputs of Britain's world-class research base. The Catapults will also complement and link with the other programmes which the Technology Strategy Board already manages to promote collaboration between universities and business, and to drive innovation and find commercial opportunities for new technology and ideas.
Timeline
In January 2011 the Technology Strategy Board published a prospectus to begin the process of establishing these world-leading centres. It described our proposals for the objectives, role, governance and funding for the centres, and invited input on these and on the centres’ potential areas of focus. Over 500 overwhelmingly positive responses were received. A summary of the responses to the prospectus is here
Based on this input and our own assessment we have published our strategy and implementation plan for the programme. This explains the vision for the Catapults, outlines the three technology areas already identified for setting up a Catapult, and ten other candidate areas
for further centres (from which a further four will be selected after further consultation and consideration) are:
- Complex Systems
- Digital media/creative industries
- Future cities
- Future internet systems
- Photonics
- Resource efficiency
- Sensor systems
- Smart grids and distribution
- Space
- Transport systems and integration
The outcome of the consultation and assessment process will be made public in early 2012, with the Satellite Applications Catapult (from the ‘Space’ candidate area listed above) and Connected Digital Economy (from the Digital media / creative industries and Future internet systems candidate areas listed above) already announced.
Catapults are just one element of our long-term support for innovation across many critical areas in the UK. Areas where Catapults are not the appropriate or timely solution may still be a key target for innovation support through other programmes and mechanisms.
See the group on _connect for further details of how we will take forward these discussions, and how you can join the consultation groups.
We are really looking forward to working with business and the research community to make this network of world-leading centres a reality for the future economic benefit of the UK.