The Department for the Economy and the Department of Finance are currently inviting government departments and arm’s length bodies to submit proposals for new Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) projects. Matrix is currently producing a series of videos to demonstrate how SBRIs work – you can view the first of the series above.

If you work in the public sector and are interested in using this innovative form of procurement for a project, you can find out more by attending the SBRI challenge workshop on Tuesday 26 November 2019 at the Crumlin Road Gaol.

Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) funding, typically ranging from £100,000 – £400,000, provides an opportunity for departments and arm’s length bodies to receive research and development funding to pay for the development of technological innovative solutions to challenges faced by the public sector, leading to better public services and improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Typically structured in two or three phases over two to three years, they comprise:

  • Phase 1, which shows the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the proposed solution. It involves running a procurement competition for an early stage working solution
  • Phase 2, to develop and evaluate prototypes or demonstrators from the more promising technologies identified in Phase 1
  • Phase 3, which allows for a period of extended testing for the most promising potential solutions, where this is desirable.

DfE would welcome proposals for projects making use of artificial intelligence (such as machine learning or natural language processing) to deliver improvements in services, and also projects focussed on cyber-security, such as new secure services, improving detection of threats or improving the supply of suitable skills. Proposals are also welcome on environmental challenges including climate change and circular economy.

The workshop will help you:

  • find out about the SBRI capital funding available for NI departments and NDPBs
  • see if your challenge(s) would be suitable for SBRI
  • understand what makes a good challenge and a successful project
  • get information about the process on how to apply and what support is available
  • hear from successful challenge owners about their SBRI projects
  • see how departments/organisations have benefited from SBRI.

This workshop provides an opportunity for any government departments or their arm’s length bodies to find out more about the SBRI funding. If you have a challenge, and think there is no suitable product in the market, SBRI funding can provide an opportunity to work with agile and innovative SMEs and other organisations to develop solutions.