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Collaborate with SMEs on projects which tackle the climate emergency through the Future Industries Demonstrator.

Future Industries Demonstrator (FID) is an innovation programme for London-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) tackling the climate emergency. It’s run by SHIFT, an inclusive innovation district in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Õ¬ÄÐÊÓƵ is one of several partners of SHIFT.

The programme will include three open innovation challenges:

• The first (launched in January 2024) focused on enhancing east London’s natural environment.
• The second (launched in May 2024) focused on reimagining buildings and energy systems for a net zero future.
• The third challenge (due to launch in September/October 2024) will focus on food systems.

The programme is also a knowledge exchange opportunity for UCL academics. UCL researchers will be able to collaborate with the SMEs on the programme to co-create and develop solutions focused on East London.

Find out more about the .

Who it’s for

This opportunity is open to members of staff and doctoral students at UCL. This includes part and full-time researchers and academics from any discipline. Honorary lecturers, and undergraduate and master's students are not eligible.

Project themes

The upcoming challenge will focus on transforming urban food systems to make them more culturally diverse, sustainable, secure and healthy.

Collaborations will need to fit into one of the following themes:

• Innovative growing models: Urban farming and novel approaches to maximising food production in limited spaces.
• Access and skills: Increasing access to equipment and training for food preparation, promoting food literacy and culinary skills in the community.
• Waste reduction: Solutions that minimise food waste throughout the supply chain, from production and transportation to consumption, incorporating circular economy principles.
• Sustainable production: Innovative methods for increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and minimising environmental impact in food production. This includes alternative food sources, production methods, and packaging solutions.
• Healthy eating: Promoting understanding of healthy diets and habits, empowering consumers to make informed choices through education and awareness initiatives.

About the programme  

The companies taking part in third cohort will work intensively over five months from September/October 2024, to research, test and deploy new solutions on the theme of enhancing east London’s urban food systems.

Participating UCL researchers will work with the companies to define research questions, test new hypotheses and create or exchange knowledge. The aim is to create quantifiable outcomes for businesses and citizens in east London. 

The collaborations between researchers and companies will need to work to: 

• understand the behaviour and needs of communities 
• analyse environmental or economic systems to better target solutions 
• understand the application of theories of behaviour change, community engagement, governance and regulation, ethics 
• apply new economic theories and models 
• evidence the need for or impact of environmental solutions

Funding

Participating UCL researchers will have an opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to further develop a collaboration formed during the FID programme.

Applications for funding have closed. Find out more about the last funding call.