East Midlands Development agency (emda) is making grants available to support collaborative projects in technology transfer and new technologies.

The grants, known as 'Demonstration Grants', range from between £100,000 and £500,000 to support collaborative work in technology transfer and new technologies. The aim is to enable these projects to be advanced, improved and adapted for commercial use.

Eligible applicants include Higher Education Institutes, Research and Technology Organisations (RTOS) and other public sector bodies. Although public sector bodes have to be the lead applicant, small and medium sized businesses are also eligible to join the consortia.

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The aim of the grant is to support the Regional Technology Framework and help to increase research and development in the region, raising the region's international profile, securing economic growth, and providing jobs for the East Midlands. It will also support new developments and emerging technologies that encourage linkages between businesses, industry and universities.

Projects in the technology areas of Materials, Design Engineering and Manufacturing, and Energy and Waste are eligible to apply for the latest Demonstration Grants.

David Wallace, emda's Director of Innovation said: "The Demonstration Grant plays a vital role in achieving one of the aims of the Regional Innovation Strategy, which is to help businesses 'foster enabling and emerging technologies'. By understanding how they can benefit from cutting edge technologies, businesses will be able to gain a competitive advantage, helping them to develop and grow and create new, high quality jobs."

The deadline for expressions of interest for the Demonstration Grant is October 31 2008.

(JM/KMcA)