Deadline: 6-Feb-23

The British Council’s Architecture Design Team and Fashion (ADF) Team in partnership with the UAL Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute, University of the Arts London (UAL FTTI) piloted New Landscapes: Fashion, Textiles and Technology (FTT) Catalyst R&D Grant Scheme.

The programme aimed to drive research and development (R&D) and nurture international co-operation around more responsible and socially engaged FTT industries. It was designed to foster new ideas that help shape the future of sustainable fashion, apparel and textiles globally, and support the cultural, social and environmental values of the FTT sector.

Themes

The Catalyst R&D Scheme seeks project outputs that evolve through the following themes and are core to UAL’s FTT Institute:

• Sustainability – FTTI takes a holistic approach to sustainability and focuses not only on the environmental impact but also social and financial impact.
• Materials – FTTI sees materials innovation as a foundation of a more circular future of consumption that is healthier and performs better for people and the planet.
• Manufacturing & Commerce – FTTI combines expertise from industry and academia to help discover, design and implement alternative manufacturing processes.
• Retail & Engagement – FTTI believes that digital technology can lead to value – added experiences offering better and more immersive engagement than conventional retail alone.
• Digital – FTTI’s network includes those who have long been at the forefront of digital innovation and the knowledge and experience of digital realities and big data utilisation ensures novel these applications add true value and meaning.

Project Scope

• The British Council and the FTTI total partnered award fund is circa £120,000, providing a combination of cash and in-kind expertise and support. Upto five collaborative R&D grants will be made across the thematic areas.
• Each of the successful applicants will receive up to £6,000 maximum grant in cash, and up to £15,000 in-kind support (Total combined value for each grant package will be up to £21,000 cash and in-kind support).
• It is anticipated that at least one grant will be awarded to an existing partnership supported through phase I of the initiative to scale up and build on the success of the project(s) already delivered.

The Opportunities

The British Council in partnership with University of the Arts London Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (UAL FTTI) invites proposals for the second Fashion, Textiles and Technology (FTT) New Landscapes Catalyst R&D Grant Scheme that:

• Builds on the success of an initial pilot programme to consolidate existing, and generate new opportunities, for international collaboration and sharing of best practice around sustainable design and production models for fashion, textiles and technology.
• Increases global networks of practitioners enabling development of practice, increased experimentation and testing of sustainable design and production solutions that inspire positive environmental change.
• Supports SMEs to exchange methods of designing and producing fashion, textiles and related technology in a more sustainable and socially-engaged way and support young designers to become advocates for sustainable, ethical and socially-engaged fashion, textiles and related technologies.

Eligible costs for grant funding:

• Personnel time.
• Publications.
• Up to £500 for equipment allocation is allowed under the scheme.
• A maximum of 5% overheads ࡟ Travel (to include alternative plans in the event that Covid-19 restricts mobility).
• Access to facilities via exchange activities Materials.
• The grant funding will be complimented by FTTI in-kind business and academic expertise.

Eligibility Criteria

• The call for proposals is open to FTT related designers, design entrepreneurs, and SMEs2 from UK and ODA eligible countries.
• The call is open, on equal terms, to entirely new partnerships, and also existing partnerships funded through the initial pilot programme.
• New Partnerships
  • New applications must be a partnership between at least one UK applicant and a maximum of 2 co-applicants based in one or more of the ODA countries (See Eligible Countries section for more details).
  • The lead applicant must be based in the UK and have been in business for a minmum of 3 years.
  • The lead applicant will submit the application, will be contracted and responsible for leading communications and disseminating the grant to the co-applicant/s.
  • Applicants must provide evidence of true collaboration, knowledge exchange and mutual benefit with a focus on the project being delivered across the UK and overseas country/countries in their application.
  • Applicants must evidence clear benefit to all partners and stakeholders in the project, the partners must all have agreed to the project (e.g. agreement can be by email).
  • Applicants must demonstrate the ability to deliver the project activity between April – August 2023.
  • Applicants must evidence tangible impact in the Official Development Assistance (ODA country/countries).
• Existing Partnerships
  • Existing partnerships funded through the pilot programme must include all the partners from phase I, where applicable aimed at scaling up the funded initiatives.
  • The lead applicant must be based in the UK and have been in business for at least 3 years.
  • The lead applicant will submit the application, will be contracted and responsible for leading communications and disseminating the grant to the co-applicant/s.
  • Applicants must provide evidence of true continued collaboration, knowledge exchange and mutual benefit with a focus on the project being delivered across the UK and overseas country/countries in their application.
  • Applicants must evidence clear benefit to all partners and stakeholders in the project, the partners must all have agreed to the project (e.g. agreement can be by email).
  • Applicants must demonstrate the ability to deliver the project activity between April – August 2023.
  • Applicants must evidence tangible impact in the Official Development Assistance (ODA country/countries).

For more information, visit UAL.