In this Section
Members Area
Members Area
Centre for Defence Enterprise Funding Scheme Workshop
Venue:Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, EH54 6GU
Date: Tue 19 May 2009
Time: 1400 - 1630
Cost:FREE
This SOA event made Members aware of the Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) Funding Scheme. Attendees were also updated on the EMRS DTC programme.
The Workshop Programme was as follows:
14:00 Registration
14:30 Welcome and Introduction – Chris Gracie/Alistair Tweedie, SOA
14:40 Introduction to CDE - Anne Norman, CDE
15:00 Submitting a Proposal to CDE - Anne Norman, CDE
15:20 Case Study (TBC)
15:40 Update on the EMRS DTC - Neil Whitehall, SELEX GALILEO
16:00 Discussion and/or 1:1 Meetings
16:30 Close
The Centre for Defence Enterprise Funding Scheme
The Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) is the first point of contact for anyone with a disruptive technology, new process or innovation that has a potential defence application. CDE acts as a gateway between the outside world and the MOD, bringing together innovation and investment for the defence market.
Proposals for research contracts are submitted on-line but prior to formal submission Proposers can email a single page “Quad Chart” briefly describing the idea. After receiving feedback from CDE, Proposers should submit their idea on-line using the CDE web portal. Sections are provided to describe:
- What the idea will do and how it will provide new or enhanced operational capability to MOD;
- The proposed technical approach, identifying the innovation, IPR ownership and previous related work;
- Project costs, schedule and tangible deliverables, including resources needed from MOD;
- Outline of the Proposer (including partners) and significant relationships.
Once a proposal is submitted it can be tracked on-line. Proposals can be assessed in as little as 15 days. Proposers can visit and talk to staff at CDE before submitting a proposal. Sometimes CDE will feed back that they would prefer the proposal to be changed to better align with MOD needs.
Normally the Proposer retains the IPR in the results, subject to the grant of a licence to MOD for use of the results.
CDE Terms and Conditions are straightforward and can be found on their website. Proposal assessment is based on a defined Performance Assessment Framework, the key metrics being:
- Operational Relevance;
- Likelihood of Exploitation;
- Builds Valuable S&T Capability;
- Scientific Quality / Innovation;
- Science, Innovation and Technology Risk.
Successful applicants could benefit from:
- Proof-of-concept funding in the form of a research contract;
- Support from CDE military scientists and engineers;
- MOD trials and testing facilities;
- A mentoring service ensuring a single point of contact within the MOD;
- A unique customer insight into both UK and non-domestic defence markets.
Funding awards are divided into:
- Category 1: £0~30k: Simple test / evaluation proof of principle;
- Category 2: £0 ~ 100k: Initial proof of concept;
- Category 3: £100k ~ 300K: Technology growth / development;
- Category 4: £250k ~ 1M: Technology application / demonstration;
- Category 5: £0 ~ 12k: University seed-funding.
For Categories 3 and 4, normally a phased approach is followed, where the first phase is up to ~£100K.
For further information on working with CDE, please visit:
http://www.science.mod.uk/Engagement/enterprise.aspx
To read a Case Study on how Dreampact Ltd won a MOD Competition Of Ideas Award, the forerunner to the CDE Funding Scheme, please visit the Member's Area of this website - Case Studies
(You must first log-in using your SOA Member Username and Password).