DTI gives £80m to innovative tech

The UK government has announced it is funnelling £80m into innovative technology projects in a wide range of disciplines.

ICT will get a portion of the funding, with £9m going toward collaborative research and development projects focused on data, scientific and medical visualisation for innovative products and services.

The scheme is part of the government's £370m Technology Programme to promote innovation as a way to boost the UK economy.

Along with ICT, other areas the DTI is looking to support include sustainable and emerging energy technologies, bioscience and healthcare, photonics and advanced manufacturing processes.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson said in a statement: "The government is committed to investing in the UK's future, enabling it to meet the challenges and rise to the opportunities of the global economy by creating a world-class environment for scientific research and development. With the right long term decisions Britain can lead the way in some of the fastest growing and highest value added sectors."

The DTI is opening the competition for collaborative R&D projects in April. The official launch for the strategy will be in London on 26 April, after which applications will begin to be accepted.

Further information on competition requirements and the application process will be revealed through events and briefings throughout May.