5G Ecosystem - Proof of Concept call

STFC are offering businesses the opportunity to apply for up to £45k of grant funding for projects that leverage or integrate 5G technology. The Daresbury Laboratory 5G Ecosystem Proof of Concept Call aims to accelerate the development, testing, and deployment of innovative 5G applications by providing funding and resources for proof of concept (PoC) projects. This initiative will support start-ups, research institutions, and tech companies in demonstrating the potential of 5G across various industries including Space, Energy, Health and Life Sciences, Quantum, Digital, and Defence and Security.

Who can apply?

The fund will accept applications from a range of organisations within the 5G ecosystem, including:

• Startups: developing new products or services that leverage 5G technology.
• Universities and research institutions: conducting 5G-related applied research.
• Established companies: pursuing innovative 5G use cases.
• Public sector bodies: exploring 5G applications for public service enhancement.

Scope

This Call invites PoC projects that leverage or integrate 5G technology to enhance capabilities, address sector-specific challenges, or create new business opportunities. We welcome a diverse range of applications, including (but not limited to) projects in:

• 5G-enabled Space applications: satellite communications, real-time Earth observation, and remote sensing.
• Energy Sector Innovations: smart grid management, renewable energy monitoring, and IoT-enabled energy infrastructure.
• Healthcare and Life Sciences: telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and real-time health data analytics via 5G.
• Quantum and Digital Technologies: secure 5G communications, quantum encryption over 5G networks, and enhanced digital connectivity.
• Agri-tech: precision agriculture, drones and autonomous machinery, IoT sensors for livestock monitoring, smart irrigation systems, supply chain and farm management optimisation, enhanced connectivity in rural areas.
• Smart Cities and Infrastructure: Solutions focused on smart transportation, IoT for city management, public safety, and energy efficiency.
• Industry 4.0: Use cases for automated manufacturing, real-time robotics, predictive maintenance, and supply chain optimisation.
• Defence and Security: autonomous surveillance systems, real-time threat detection, and 5G-enabled secure data sharing.
• Entertainment and Media: Innovations in live event streaming, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and gaming that rely on high-speed, low-latency networks.

The 5G Ecosystem is a collaboration between STFC’s Campus Technology Hub (CTH) and Hartree Centre. It offers both public and private 5G connectivity along with 3D printing, VR/AR, and IoT, technologies which combined with the advanced computing can accelerate the prototyping of 5G applications.

We enable rapid, iterative design and testing of 5G use-cases in a real-world living lab as well as creating realistic models, simulating complex network scenarios, and processing vast datasets at high speeds.

The 5G Ecosystem is located in the CTH at Daresbury Laboratory on the Sci-Tech Daresbury Campus.

How to apply

If you have a proof-of-concept project that meets the eligibility requirements and develops new knowledge, technologies and products or services, please contact STFC to express your interest by 5.30 pm on 22 November 2024 and request an application pack. All completed applications and accompanying documents must be submitted by 5.30 pm on 13 December 2024.