News story

Software and complex systems: apply for business funding

Businesses can apply for funding for studies into developing links between the operations of complex systems and the software behind them.

a graphic of a networked world surrounded by binary code

Businesses can share up to £580,000 for innovative studies into verification and validation of complex systems

Innovate UK and Dstl (the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory) are to invest up to £580,000 in innovative studies into software development focused on the verification and validation of complex systems.

This competition covers complex systems encountered in areas such as knowlegde work automation, advanced robotics, automated and autonomous vehicles and smart systems.

Businesses are being encouraged to develop appropriate links between the way a system behaves in the physical world and the software implementing its actions.

The competition also aims to stimulate the development of new engineering methods for systems in which a machine, rather than a human, drives the decision-making.

Innovate UK and Dstl particularly want to ensure that small and micro companies in the UK develop early capabilities in this evolving area.

Competition information

  • this competition is open and the deadline for registration is noon on 11 November 2015
  • projects must be led by a small or micro business working in partnership with one or more business or research partners
  • we expect projects to range in size from total costs of £50,000 to £100,000 and to last between 6 and 12 months
  • small businesses could receive up to 70% of their costs, medium-sized businesses 60%, large businesses 50%
Published 23 September 2015