New Fund to Pioneer Marine Data Technologies

Up to £500,000 will be made available for businesses to develop innovative marine data technologies and applications, the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i, announced.

Marine-i is part funded by the EU and was set up to help foster innovation in the marine industry in Cornwall.

Professor Lars Johanning of University of Exeter, lead partner within Marine-i, said, “As the maritime industry moves to make better and more productive use of its data, this represents an exciting growth opportunity for local technology businesses and marine supply chain companies. It is intended that this grant support will lead to new technologies which will reduce costs, create more advanced surveillance systems, and improve the accuracy of offshore monitoring.

“In this region, we benefit from the world class facilities and infrastructure available to marine technology businesses, including at the University of Plymouth. Data drawn from the University of Plymouth’s High Frequency Radar array on the North Cornwall coast could be used to provide supporting data sets for these grant applications.”

To be eligible for funding, companies must base their funded activity in Cornwall. Funded activities must also create a benefit for the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Projects of all sizes are encouraged but it is anticipated that businesses will request funding support of between £20,000 and £50,000 from this funding call. Small to medium sized enterprises are eligible for up to 70 percent funding for their project.

Project proposals must be submitted by midnight on November 16, 2018.