Call for Expressions of Interest under Action Area 1.2 Strand 2

This call requesting Expressions of Interest for Action Area 1.2 Strand 2 is designed to attract projects to provide tailored and highly targeted support to businesses and supply chains, in the following priority sectors:

• Biomedical ( biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices);
• Energy & Environmental Technologies;
• Advanced Engineering & Materials (chemicals, aerospace, automotive and advanced flexible materials);
• Food & Drink;
• Digital & Creative Industries; and
• Business & Professional Services.
• Projects should help businesses to increase their market share, extend their customer base beyond the region (especially internationally), and strengthen their competitive position.

Deliverers of activity supported under this Investment Framework will be expected to work closely with relevant sub-regional bodies, and potential applicants will need to liaise with the relevant Regional Cluster Organisation (RCO) to ensure the project is in line with their business strategies.

Links to the Regional Cluster Organisations can be found here. Please note that not all the RCO strategies are published, but guidance will be provided by the relevant RCO. In each case the initial contact with the RCO should be made with the Chief Executive.

Timeline:

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is Monday 10 August 2009.

Going forward we anticipate that successful EoIs will be notified by 4 September 2009 and invited to submit an initial concept by 13 November 2009, with final concepts to be received by the end of December 2009.

We are unable to consider applications for funding that do not deliver the requirements of the relevant Investment Framework.

Contacts:

For further information regarding this call please contact one of the following:

Arthur Smith, Development and Delivery Manager at NWDA on arthur.smith@nwda.co.uk

Steven Bain, ERDF Project Development Manager at NWDA on steven.bain@nwda.co.uk

Nicola Lavin, Head of Projects (ERDF) at NWDA on nicola.lavin@nwda.co.uk.

Further information relating to this Action Area can be found in the Investment Framework.