New TSB calls – Infectious Diseases, Crop Protection

The Technology Strategy Board has announced new calls this month, one focussed on fighting infection. This call aims to fund feasibility, fast track and full R&D studies to support the development and uptake of diagnostic devices that will reduce the social and economic impact of infectious agents in animals and humans. Expressions of interest need to be submitted by the 25th February. SIKTN has already been approached by an academic group looking for partners. Please contact Mark Littlewood if you are interested in finding partners for this call. A second call relates to new approaches in crop protection. Funding of £13 million has been allocated to support collaborative projects that help growers respond to the dual challenges of increasing the productivity of crops while reducing the environmental impact of crop production. This competition is looking for proposals for projects lasting up to five years that will develop novel technologies, products and/or services that can be deployed across the crop-growing supply chain, and include new approaches for pest detection through optical sensing and monitoring technologies.