Twice every year, the DTI will announce a competition for these grants in specific and varied technology areas. The last call was in March and included subjects like high performance materials in extreme and hostile environments, advance manufacturing, emerging energy technologies and validation of complex systems.

Whilst all these themes might seem quite complex areas, the idea of the programme is to exploit long term "blue skies" type research and development which may be uneconomic to fund through normal cash flow and profits.

By utilising a collaborative approach, ideas are permeated across sectors. For instance, advanced materials may have implications within aerospace, automotive and marine appli-cations.

Over £350 million has been made available for this programme over a three year period and projects that may be supported include science to business as well as business to business consortia.

The technology themes are picked by an independent Technology Strategy Board made up of leading industrial scientist from a variety of sectors. Projects are chosen on the basis of how they perform against the selection criteria as well as the strength of the project management team, the project risk and the potential economic social and environmental benefit for the UK.

In the first round of funding, projects awarded grants include a collaboration of marine businesses and the University of Southampton looking at advanced thermo plastic materials and their use within structures including boat hulls.

Collaborative R&D also forms the basis of the EU Framework Programme where companies can collaborate amongst European partners on a joint research and development initiative.

The maritime sector has its own national contact point in the form of Cliff Funnel Associates - www.marinetechnology.co.uk - and Cliff is able to provide support and help in the arena of EU funded projects.

For further information on the DTI's Collaborative Research & Development Programme visit:

www.dti.gov.uk If you have any specific questions then feel free to e-mail me, Nick Heyes at: nick. heyes@dti.gsi.gov.uk