2014 Fast Forward Competition opens

Entries for a competition to turn innovative ideas into reality have opened for eligible universities and research establishments. As part of the 2014 Fast Forward competition they are now able to compete for a pot of the £750,000 funding available.

The closing date for entries in the competition (electronic and paper) is Friday 13 December 2013.

Since 2010, the competition has provided £2 million worth of funding and inspired 35 innovative UK projects.

Universities and public sector research establishments are encouraged to work collaboratively with businesses and local communities on projects that best use innovation and Intellectual Property (IP). Last year’s projects were in the areas of healthcare and social enterprises, clean technology construction and aerospace.

• Bloodhound@University project which is involved in the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC) world land speed record project. Based at the University of the West of England, Bloodhound@University secured £80,000 in funding.

• ITALIA project from Buckinghamshire New University. The project was awarded £70,000 to bring together a variety of medical experts, university academics and Buckinghamshire County Council to develop new telehealth solutions to connect patients and doctors