Challenge invests millions in the PEMD sector

An investment of 4.5 million is set to give a helpful boost to the power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD) industry.

The money is being made available via Innovate UK’s ‘Driving the electric revolution’ challenge, which is part of UK Research and Innovation.

The competition got underway on Monday 10 January. Its aim is to create and deliver course content and materials across PEMD manufacturing and supply chains that will:

• support skills development
• attract talent
• deliver training.

The competition is being run in two stages. The first is an expression of interest (EOI) for projects seeking between £50,000 and £1 million. Then, those successful in the EOI round will then be invited to submit a full proposal in March 2022.

UK Research and Innovation said EOIs must deliver a clear game-changing intervention or address a clear industrial requirement, which would realistically and significantly meet, and provide, a long-term commitment to supporting the UK PEMD industry talent need.

Any projects seeking funding under £50,000 do not need to submit an EOI. Instead, there will be a separate competition strand opening in March for these projects.

UK Research and Innovation said the UK has a skills shortage in the PEMD industry. ‘Driving the electric revolution’ wants to change this by investing over £6 million across three funding competitions.

This is the third competition it has run dedicated to improving the skills, training and talent of the PEMD industry in the UK.

‘Driving the electric revolution’ challenge director Professor Will Drury said: “The UK is a world leader in the development of PEMD technology, but for years now we’ve lacked the skills needed to bring these ideas to reality.

”By investing in skills, talent and training in this sector, we aim to support the growth of not only the UK’s PEMD supply chains but its people too.”

Find out more about the competition via the Innovation Funding Service.

You can click here to register to join the competition briefing on 12 January at 10:00 UK time.

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