The process starts with a government department or other public body identifying a specific challenge.

This is then turned into an open competition for new technologies and ideas that is open to the broad business community.

The Technology Strategy Board supports all competitions and helps with the outreach to innovative businesses.

Companies with potentially interesting technologies and ideas submit an application, either through the Technology Strategy Board or direct to the department, depending on the competition.

All submitted ideas are assessed, and those judged to be the most promising are awarded development contracts.

This first feasibility phase lasts generally 2 to 6 months, with contracts typically being up to a maximum of £100k.

Following a second assessment stage, a subset of these ideas may be awarded a second phase contract which can be for up to 2 years and a maximum of £1M. These contract values and durations are dependent on the challenge being addressed. This second phase will generally be for the development of a prototype or demonstrator.

After completion of the second phase, companies are expected to commercialise the resulting product or service which is taken to market and open to competitive procurement.

Related Documents
SBRI Introductory Brochure 

SBRI FAQs