Expression of Interest competition now open for a single project or multiple projects to the value of £1.35M funding that supports the development of technology, innovations or services relating to Smart Maritime Land Operations and shows potential to demonstrate measurable benefits to the UK maritime Sector.

Summary

In line with the recommendation of the earlier 2015 Maritime Growth Study, Maritime 2050 sets out a national strategy to “send a strong signal to international customers and competitors” about the future of the UK sector. Underpinning the Maritime 2050 strategy are 10 core strategic ambitions, covering a range of topics from competitiveness to technology. These strategic ambitions include the intention that the UK “lead the way in taking action on clean maritime growth, enjoying economic benefits from being an early adopter or fast mover.” To achieve the ambitions and intentions, MarRI-UK, supported by the Department for Transport (DfT), has allocated up to £1.35M to fund innovation projects through the Smart Maritime Land Operations (SMLOs) call.

MarRI-UK is looking to place a single contract that could comprise of a single project or multiple projects worth up to £1.35M with a clear lead organisation.

Where similar or complimentary proposals are submitted, MarRI-UK will facilitate collaboration to promote greater impact.

This competition consists of 2 (two) stages:

1. Expression of Interest (EoI): open for UK registered business, RTO, public sector organisation or charities.
2. Full proposal: invitation only, if successful in the Expression of Interest Stage.

This is an Expression of Interest (EoI) Call. Successful applicants will be invited to submit full proposal. A decision to proceed to Stage 2 will depend on the outcomes from this EoI.

Stage 1 Timelines:

• Opens: 30 November 2020
• Closes: 15 February 2021
• Assessment: 18 February – 29 March 2021
• Outcome announcement: 5 April 2021

The competition closes at 12.00 (mid-day) GMT time on the deadline stated. Late submission will not be considered.

We would like to encourage you to leave yourself plenty of time to familiarise with the online submission system and submit your application in case there are any technical as well as non-technical issues.

Please read carefully the following documents before submitting your EoI:

1. Scope - Click Here to Download
2. EoI application guidance - Click Here to Download

Only applications that meet the eligibility criteria, comply to the guidelines and are within the scope of the call will be assessed.

Scope

Your proposal

Projects within mid TRL (3-7) stages.

Technology, innovations or services relating to Smart Maritime Land Operations with some preference for supporting UK based Small to Medium enterprises (SMEs), if possible.

Preference will be given to applications that show the strongest potential to demonstrate measurable benefits to the UK maritime Sector.

Projects to either develop an initial prototype or a proof of concept that includes a demonstration of the project’s application to Smart Maritime Land Operations.

Projects that have the potential to deliver on one or more of the key aims and objective described in the Scope Document.

Projects that are scalable and include demonstrations to wider industry of what is possible.

Projects that have an innovative aspect, although this can include existing products being used in innovative ways, outside of their original intended use.

Projects that offer significant improvements to systems, timings, processes or technology for smart maritime land operations.

Projects we will fund

Projects within mid TRL (3-7) stages.

Technology, innovations or services relating to Smart Maritime Land Operations with some preference for supporting UK based Small to Medium enterprises (SMEs), if possible.

Preference will be given to applications that show the strongest potential to demonstrate measurable benefits to the UK maritime Sector.

Projects to either develop an initial prototype or a proof of concept that includes a demonstration of the project’s application to Smart Maritime Land Operations.

Projects that have the potential to deliver on one or more of the key aims and objective described in the Scope Document .

Projects that are scalable and include demonstrations to wider industry of what is possible.

Projects that have an innovative aspect, although this can include existing products being used in innovative ways, outside of their original intended use.

Projects that offer significant improvements to systems, timings, processes or technology for smart maritime land operations.

Projects we will not fund

Projects that offer only incremental updates to existing capability and are approaching market readiness.

Eligibility

To lead a project or work alone you must:

• be a business of any size, an academic organisation, or a research and technology organisation (RTO) with a base in the UK;
• carry out your maritime research or technology development project work in the UK*;
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK or from more than one location including the UK; and
• include at least one industrial company if you are an RTO and wish to collaborate with other UK registered business, RTO, public sector organisations or charities.

*If you submit a multi-projects application, all projects must be conducted in the UK.

Academic institutions cannot lead.

To collaborate with the lead organisation, you must:

• be a business of any size, academic organisation, charity, public sector organisation or RTO with a base in the UK;
• carry out your maritime research or technology development project work in the UK;
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK or from or in more than one location including the UK;
• be invited to take part by the lead applicant; and
• include your project costs and match fund portion.

MarRI-UK is following Innovate UK guidance on the definition of organisation. Find out which definition of organisation falls into and rules for each type of organisation by going through this link.

Funding rules

Applications should be match funded. Match funding could be in the form of an identical cash injection from the applicant, to match the amount provided by MarRI-UK, or it could be in the form of resource to deliver the project (e.g. staff, equipment, materials, facilities, machine hours, etc.).

Your organisation could get funding for eligible project costs of:

• Up to 70% if you are micro or small organisation, 30% from the applicant;
• Up to 60% if you are medium-sized organisation, 40% from the applicant;
• Up to 50% if you are large organisation, 50% from the applicant.

The definition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) used by MarRI-UK is set out in the European Commission Recommendation of 6 May 2003. A large business in this context means any enterprise which is not an SME.

If the project application is submitted by a consortium made up of different sized organisations, the amount and percentage of match fund for each consortium member should be included in the application.

In any case, a business case for how applicants will match fund, or why they cannot, should be submitted alongside the application.

Please read the EoI Application Guidance for more detail information on Funding Rules.

How to Apply

The links to start the application process can be found on the right-hand side of this page.

You can save your application and return to change and/or complete your application as much as you want before the deadline.

The application consists of two sections. The first section provides background for the reviewers and are not scored. Please read the EoI Application Guidance for further information.

There are maximum character limits when answering each question.

IMPORTANT: As precaution for any unforeseen technical issues, always remember to save your answers frequently or draft them in a word document before copying and paste them into the form.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email: info@marri-uk.org