The NCC's Technology Pull-Through Programme (TPT) promotes research that will enable the transition of suitably mature technologies from academia to industry. It aims to de-risk, scale-up and facilitate the industrialisation of proven technologies by transferring them from the lab environment into the NCC’s semi-industrial set-up for further testing. The objective is to accelerate socio-economic impact of universities’ output, providing support where funding routes are sparser.
The 2025/26 call will be focusing on four key themes:
- Composites for Net-Zero
- Defence
- Digitalisation & AI
- Materials & Sustainability
The knowledge gaps identified by the NCC champions in these areas are outlined in this slide pack, and have been presented at the launch webinar, the recording of which is accessible on this page or the NCC YouTube channel here.
The programme is financed by the NCC’s Catapult funds, and sponsors collaborative projects between the applying university and the NCC. The programme funds the university costs (including academics’ time) and NCC costs.
What should you consider before applying?
Activities funded through the programme must be complementary and subsequent to fundamental research already carried out at academic level (e.g. through EPSRC funding). Proposal aiming at promoting low TRL, academic research will not be considered.
Applications outside of or unrelated to the key themes listed above will not be considered.
The NCC expects to be involved substantially and actively in the research activities; proposals where the NCC’s input is limited to manufacturing parts, testing components, or providing access to facilities/equipment/tooling will not be considered.
The background IP remains ownership of the parties, foreground IP is owned by the NCC with a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, non-transferrable, non-sub-licensable and royalty-free license granted to the academic institution for research and teaching purposes. Commercial exploitation of foreground IP is discussed and agreed on case-by-case basis.
Full account of the programme framework is given in the Terms of Reference.
Applications now open for the 2025/26 call: Closing Friday, 8 November 2024
To apply, download the Expression of Interest application form found here, complete it in electronic format and submit it to [email protected] no later than 11:59pm on Friday, 8 November 2024.
The Expression of Interest applications will be reviewed by the Knowledge Exchange Committee (KEC, formed by the members identified by the Future Composites Manufacturing Research Hub) and by the NCC TPT Committee (formed by NCC staff identified by the NCC Technology Board). A selected list of applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
The latter will be compiled with the support of an NCC Champion and NCC Project Manager, and then reviewed by the NCC TPT Committee for funding approval.
Key dates for 2025/26
- 9 October 2024 – Programme launch for 2025/26
- 8 November 2024 – Deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest
- 22 November 2024 – Completion of KEC review with recommendations to TPT committee
- 29 November 2024 – Successful Expressions of Interest are assigned NCC Champions and are invited to submit full proposal
- 31 January 2025 – Deadline for submission of full proposals
- 28 February 2025 – TPT committee performs final proposal selection
- April 2025 – Projects kick-off
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
