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Improving operations through machine learning: apply for funding

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £250,000 to use machine learning to help Innovate UK make better use of its operations data.

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £250,000 to use machine learning to help Innovate UK make better use of its operations data.

Innovate UK is to invest up to £250,000 in new ideas for ways in which machine learning can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations.

Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence. It allows computers to become more accurate in predicting outcomes without explicit programming, using algorithms that iteratively learn from data.

We welcome as many ideas as possible for the application of machine learning to Innovate UK’s existing data. Proposals should show how these ideas would:

  • improve operational efficiency
  • improve the efficiency and quality of decision-making, both pre and post-funding award

These could include areas such as:

  • assessor allocation - identifying key words from funding applications to allocate appropriate assessors
  • checking for undeclared resubmissions - searching for resubmitted, duplicate and reassessed funding applications

This is a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition. It’s phase 1 of a potential 2-phase competition. A decision to proceed with phase 2 will depend on the outcomes from phase 1.

Competition details

  • this competition opens on 24 July 2017
  • the registration deadline is midday on 6 September 2017
  • the application deadline for phase 1 is midday on 13 September 2017
  • SBRI is open to any type or size of organisation
  • successful projects will attract 100% funded development contracts
  • you can work alone or with others such as businesses, research base and third sector
  • phase 1 contracts are worth up to £50,000 and last up to 4 months
Published 21 July 2017