Limited call for Innovation Connectors (24 July to 30 September 2008)

This call is now closed to new applicants.

The first limited call for proposals to support the delivery of the priorities, outputs and results of the Innovation Connectors element of Priority 1 (Enhancing & exploiting innovation) of the ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 ran until 12 noon on 30 September 2008.

We produced a commissioning document which clearly sets out the nature of the activity covered by this call, together with the required outcomes, outputs and results expected from the investment.  All potential applicants should read this and the accompanying process guide document prior to proceeding with proposals.

This call was limited to investment in the identified Innovation Connectors set out in the NorthEast England Regional Economic Strategy Action Plan and the ERDF Operational Programme 2007-13. Proposals have been invited in the form of investment plans co-ordinated by the following lead organisations (in bold) for each Innovation Connector:

• Regional Energy Centres - One NorthEast
• Newcastle Science City - Newcastle Science City
• Design Centre for the North - One NorthEast
• Digital City - University of Teesside
• Wilton Centre - NEPIC
• Sunderland Software City - North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC)
• NETPark - County Durham Development Company

Lead organisations are co-ordinating the development of an integrated investment plan and act as a single point of contact for stakeholder enquiries.  Full contact details for each lead organisation are included in both the commissioning document and process guidance on this webpage.

Investment plans set out the proposed frameworks for delivering the regional ambition to develop a network of Innovation Connectors across the region.  Proposals considered for this call must demonstrate:

• an integrated programme of activity which delivers on the ambition of the Innovation Connectors concept to join up investment in physical infrastructure with innovation, business development, enterprise, skills and community engagement
• a robust partnership approach to extending the benefits of investment across appropriate communities of interest and localities
• that the projects/operations are deliverable, can make a contribution particularly to the first annual expenditure target in 2009 and that the required match funding will be available
• activities are consistent with Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP) where appropriate
• value for money and delivery against (some or all) of the Priority 1 outputs and results listed in the specification
• that planning permissions and/or building regulations are either in place, or at a sufficiently advanced stage to be in place, prior to ERDF approval (all capital build projects must meet BREEAM excellent standard as a minimum).

An indicative budget of £35m ERDF is being allocated through this limited call.  The minimum level of ERDF investment for individual projects is £500,000 (i.e. £1m total eligible project cost, assuming a 50% ERDF grant rate).

ERDF Innovation connector commissioning document

ERDF limited call process guidance note

ERDF Innovation connector investment plan template

ERDF Innovation connector expressions of interest template