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The global photonics industry is growing annually at a rate of around 6.5%

Related Links:

• ACTPHAST website

• Optoelectronics Research Centre website

Up to €80k of innovation support is available - free of charge to SMEs.

The Optoelectronics Research Centre, part of Southampton's Zepler Institute, is to participate in ACTPHAST, a new European funding initiative that provides SMEs with photonics innovation support.

With the global photonics market valued at €350bn and growing at an annual rate of around 6.5%, the European Commission is supporting the creation of a new transnational Access Centre for Photonics Innovation Solutions and Technology Support (ACTPHAST) to keep European industry, in particular SMEs, at the forefront of photonics product development. ACTPHAST provides a one-stop shop for industry to access the best in European photonics research expertise and technology platforms, removing the roadblocks to innovation that companies may encounter.

Through its network of consortium partners, ACTPHAST can call on any number of over 200 experts in the many different areas of photonics to help European companies solve their business challenges with targeted innovation projects. To accelerate time to market, projects will be of a short 6-9 month duration and 100% subsidised for SMEs up to a maximum value of €80k. The four year programme will support up to 200 projects across a range of application domains including manufacturing, communications, security, transport, lighting and life sciences among others.

The call for projects is now open. If you are interested in applying for ACTPHAST support, please contact the UK Outreach Coordinator, Tom Carr or visit the ACTPHAST website.