Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) Wave 5: Top Tips
Applications for Wave 5 of our Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) are now open. Offering up to £135,000 of grant support – TDAP is open to ambitious micro, small and medium-sized enterprises working to develop on or off-vehicle technology, products or services that support either zero-emission vehicle development or the shift to net-zero carbon automotive products.
Supporting innovators over 18-months, TDAP aims to bring exciting new technologies from concept to market viable proposition whilst providing SMEs with invaluable business guidance and access to industry experts.
For many developers in the early stages of technology readiness, applying for funding and support can be a daunting prospect. To help make the process as simple as possible, Josh Denne, Head of SME Programmes, has provided his top tips for a successful application.
Get the detail right
The most important thing when applying for funding – in any situation – is to put yourself in the assessors’ shoes. Remember, whilst you have been eating, sleeping and breathing your concept for a long time, the assessors are coming to it blind. We don’t need a guarantee of what it’s going to achieve, just a good idea of what makes the idea special and its potential benefits in a commercial proposition. It’s always a good idea to get a non-expert to review your application to ensure it makes sense and shines the best possible light on your idea.
Make it visual
If you can include a drawing or schematic in your application, it helps us visualise what you’re trying to develop. You can rest assured that we will treat all off the information in your proposal as confidential – we know that this can be sensitive or secret and we want to help you protect your intellectual property. Alternatively, if you are worried about including this detail, try to find a way to help us understand what you are working on without including the sensitive elements.
What does it offer as part of the UK’s journey to zero emissions?
In your application, make sure you hit our objectives. The APC invests in technology that will help accelerate the automotive industry’s shift towards zero vehicle emissions – so show us how the successful development of your technology can help us achieve this. It’s always great to see the potential economic output too – how can your technology help safeguard or create UK jobs?
Keep it simple
Be concise and clear – we receive many times the number of applications for TDAP than we have places available on the programme. That’s why we have a strict page limit on the applications and appendices. Don’t risk your amazing technology being instantly rejected because you went over the limit.
Applications for Wave 5 of TDAP are now open and close on 14th April 2021.