Innovate UK & The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme: Phase 1
Competition open now – Register by 12 noon on 6th December 2017
Competition Closes at 12 noon on 13th December 2017
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is to invest up to £25 million in innovative 5G testbeds and trials as part of the government’s overall £740 million of funding from the National Productivity Investment Fund for next generation digital infrastructure. Innovate UK are delivering this competition.
This competition will support the development of a ‘5G ecosystem’ in the UK and contribute towards the delivery of the objectives in the UK’s 5G strategy. The aim is to encourage technology and deployment, testbeds and trials to stimulate the development of 5G use cases and business models.
This first funding competition is for Phase 1 of initial projects across the UK that will run from April 2018 until March 2019. Companies can apply for grant funding for projects between £2 million and £5 million.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding you must:
– be a UK registered organisation
– carry out your project in the UK
– work in collaboration with others
Your project must deliver the whole grant funded element of the project by 31 March 2019. This includes the setup of a testbed and completion of any trials that are grant funded from this competition.
Project Scope
Innovate UK are looking for projects which help support the development of the UK’s “5G ecosystem” by addressing at least one of the following:
– explore the potential for 5G to deliver benefits for businesses
– develop new 5G applications and services
– develop and explore new business models around key 5G technologies
– reduce the commercial risks associated with investment in 5G