i-Con COVID Challenge Fund

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre and its partners are offering grants of up to £25,000 for  businesses to work with academic research partners to develop solutions to challenges faced by the construction and built environment sector resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The solutions should address well-defined challenges faced by construction companies, asset managers, the supply chain or workforce. These could provide short-term relief during the current crisis, or contribute to improved resilience and recovery in the long term.

Proposal deadlines for the initial fund period are: 24 April, 15 May plus 5 and 26 June.

Yes, if you are a public or private organisation working in or supporting the wider construction industry in Scotland. 

This is a free service.

Public and private sector organisations, trade associations, academia and the wider construction sector.

The i-Con Challenge is a two-stage application process.

Stage 1 proposals should come from a Solution Provider. Solution Providers should feature a lead Scottish academic or industry partner, but can include contributions from partners from outside Scotland.

Stage 2 proposals must come from a Solution Provider in partnership with a Challenge Holder. Challenge Holders can be public or private organisations in the construction sector based in Scotland. They should contribute knowledge, feedback, demonstration and potentially some project funding.

Stage 2 proposals will be by invitation only.

Proposal deadlines for the initial fund period are: 24 April, 15 May, 5 and 26 June.

Evaluation criteria will include:

• time to market
• potential benefits of the project
• ability to execute/resource effectively
• opportunity to further develop, scale and replicate the solution
• fit with CSIC’s aims, objectives and key themes
• overall value for public money

Applications should be submitted via the i-Con Challenge Fund web page.