NPL calls for technology fund applications

According to the NPL, the TIF is designed to help companies benefit from measurement to quickly take ideas to market with minimised business risk. It believes that it can achieve this by providing a successful mix of research-and-development expertise with proven commercial insight.

The new fund is inspired by the Measurement for Innovators (MFI) programme. This was developed in response to a government innovation report and introduced businesses to the expertise available at the NPL for the first time. It is said to have provided participants with business benefits worth almost £10m through more than 400 secondments, consultancies and joint industry projects over a five-year period.

The TIF offers UK businesses three different levels of support to service a range of measurement issues. The first engagement with NPL staff is through individual one-to-one surgeries.

The new programme can also offer more detailed support through subsidised consultancies to address more complex business issues. Interested companies identify their issue with the NPL before applying online and agreeing objectives. Once agreed, the consultancy work lasts for up to 10 days, culminating in a report delivered by the NPL.