EU-funded Marine-i is making up to £500,000 available for businesses to develop innovative data technologies applicable to marine energy and other maritime sectors.
Marine-i lead partner professor Lars Johanning of the University of Exeter 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.”
Marine-i was set up to help foster innovation in the marine industry in the south-western English county of Cornwall.
Johanning added: “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 off the Cornish coast.
Projects of all sizes are encouraged but it is anticipated that businesses will request funding support of between £20,000 and £50,000 from the funding call. Small to medium sized enterprises are eligible for up to 70% funding for their project.