The Technology Strategy Board and BIS are funding a £1.1m Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) in exploratory studies into the design of technology-based products and services that will improve learning outcomes.

Strictly speaking SBRI is not a grant scheme as such but rather better in that it provides a research contract covering 100% of the eligible costs. Furthermore whilst the IP remains with the researcher there is a direct route to market usually with the sponsoring government body. Most SBRI contracts have, to date, been with the Ministry of Defence or the Dept. of Health and this is an interesting departure into the field of education.

They are looking for proposals for products and services that will improve attainment among learners above five years old (from Key Stage 1) and in formal (primary, secondary, higher or further education) or in non-formal learning environments. 

Thus proposals should address issues such as, but not necessarily limited to, the following: 

• improving learning outcomes and attainment
• helping educators with the delivery of teaching, learning, and assessment
• maintaining good teaching practice 
• demonstrating efficacy
• ensuring privacy and security 
• deploying the product or service commercially and sustainably, at scale. 

The competition is open to all organisations and of any size that can demonstrate a route to market for their solution. The application may be from single bodies or may be collaborative. Successful organisations will attract a 100% funded development contract of up to £80k and projects will last up to six months. However note that this reflects only stage 1 of the process. There will normally be a second stage to take forward the successful projects from the stage 1 to full product development, again with a 100% funded research contract. The exact size and scope of stage 2 has yet to be published.

This competition opens on 12 May 2014. The deadline for registration is noon on 2 July 2014 and the deadline for applications is noon on 9 July 2014.

More information at http://www.innovateuk.org/-/sbri