R&D competition aims to stimulate innovation in cloud computing

According to a statement, the aim of the Innovating in the Cloud competition, which opens on 9 July 2012, is to stimulate innovation and address the issues of interoperability, resilience of data and identity assurance. Applications are being invited for projects that demonstrate how new or improved value chains and networks can be created, and show where value can be increased by offering innovative information, content and services in the cloud. All proposals must be collaborative and business led. There are two strands to the competition. In the first, projects must be led by a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) and will generally attract up to 50% public funding. Up to £75,000 will be invested in each project, which must last between 6 and 12 months. In the second strand, consortia must include at least one SME and one medium to large partner. These projects will generally attract up to 50% public funding and must last between 6 and 24 months.