Support is available for innovative businesses and the wider telecoms ecosystem to access and navigate research and development funding.

Through the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) Competition, funding is being provided to set up and deliver a body to support innovative new companies and the wider telecoms ecosystem to access and navigate R&D funding and facilities. The funds will also provide applicants with the requisite technical support to grow their businesses and develop their products and solutions.

This competition fulfils ambitions set out in the Government’s 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy, as well as the recommendations made by the Telecoms Diversification Taskforce.

Applicants should ensure that their applications encompass the technologies and supporting ecosystems of the following areas:

• Wireless Infrastructure including Advanced Open Network Technologies
• Satellite Communications
• System Integration
• Fibre/Fixed
• Network Security
• Network Management
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Data/Cloud Infrastructure

Up to £10 million is available. However, applicants are required to submit two responses to all of the questions in the application, one which represents a delivery plan with a budget of maximum £5 million, and another for a delivery plan with a budget of maximum £10 million.

Applications must be from a consortium, composed of two or more UK based organisations. There must be an agreed lead applicant who will be the prime recipient of grant funding. The lead and/or consortium should have strong industry representation, and demonstrate they can deliver engagement at international level.

The deadline for submission of applications is 20 May 2022 (12:00 BST).

How To Apply

The competition opened on 22 March 2022. The deadline for submission of applications is 20 May 2022 (12:00 BST).

Applications are made online.

Further information is available from the DCMS website.