Last updated: 1 May 2024 at 14:22

Using sustainability as a differentiator when applying for R&D grants

Talking to founders and CEOs of Createch start-ups, government grants from bodies such as InnovateUK are a crucial source of finance and support for their research and innovation.

Most grant schemes now place increased emphasis on sustainability, circularity, and net-zero carbon emissions and they encourage companies and research institutions to undertake projects that align with these goals.

Imagine you are applying for a research grant to develop a revolutionary new augmented reality technology. A comprehensive understanding and incorporation of sustainability aspects can significantly influence the outcome of the application (such as the likely impact on energy consumption or repairability of any physical device). It's not uncommon for grant applications to include specific sections where applicants need to outline how their proposed projects address environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Moreover, many of these grant schemes employ a scoring system, where applications are evaluated and scored based on their alignment with sustainability goals. Thus, a compelling sustainability strategy can enhance a grant application, making it more competitive.

There are also funding calls that are explicitly looking for innovations in areas such as circularity and net zero. These grants are seeking innovative projects within these spaces, and this represents a significant opportunity for organisations that are pioneering sustainability-focused solutions. In these cases, the grant applications should describe how your innovation addresses specific environmental and social challenges, such as reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources, or promoting social equity. An example is the InnovateUK funded project, Sustainable and Inclusive Virtual Collaboration, a collaboration platform that maximises workshop and meeting accessibility for those living with disabilities and eliminates carbon associated with day-to-day commuting).

In conclusion, understanding and integrating sustainability issues, including circularity and net-zero objectives, are increasingly crucial when applying for government grants. It's more than just a requirement - it represents an opportunity to innovate, lead, and make substantial contributions towards a more sustainable future. For companies and researchers, it is also a chance to secure funding, foster innovation, and drive their sustainability agendas .

Sustainability and Createch R&D

Createch R&D takes many forms depending on the products and services involved. For those involved in creating new platforms or digital services it will look like software development, and for those developing physical products it is likely more akin to product design. Typically, Createch R&D goes beyond the simple adoption of existing technologies, instead focusing on the creation or adaptation of advanced technologies to drive ground-breaking advancements. Whether it involves developing new generative AI models, immersive online platforms that revolutionise product experiences or customising cameras for capturing 3D films, Createch thrives on pushing the boundaries.

In this context, the inclusion of sustainability in Createch R&D projects has emerged as a paramount consideration for investors and funders. Investors and funders are increasingly seeking R&D projects that demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability as well as financial viability. For example, when applying for an InnovateUK Smart Grant, one of the questions is what are “the sustained, long term expected impacts on the UK economy, society, and the environment, to your customers, supply chains and the broader sector.”

Hence, it is important for Createch companies to not only launch products and services that have taken into account sustainability considerations, but to approach R&D in such a way that environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable decisions and activities are built in. In practical terms the R&D processes and practices need to embrace sustainability at every stage from discovery and idea generation, through feasibility and concept testing and design and development. By showcasing a dedication to sustainability in their R&D endeavours, Createch innovators can secure crucial support, funding, and partnerships necessary for bringing their visionary projects to life.

The following framework (categorised under principles, tools, and key considerations) can help.

Principles

Partner with research collaborators that value sustainability: Engage in interdisciplinary research projects with partners from academia, business, and public institutions that share a commitment to sustainability. For example, a Createch company could collaborate with a non-profit organisation to develop a digital tool addressing a societal need as a way of addressing UN SDG 17, Partnering for the Goals.
Align research to a sustainability framework such as the UN SDGs: In the case of the UN SDGs, develop research questions in a way that they directly relate to the goals. The questions should aim to address a knowledge or technology application gap related to the chosen SDG(s).
Understand ethical and societal implications of research and innovation. This includes respecting privacy and ensuring data security, especially when user data is involved (see this example from IBM, for example).
Seek diverse and inclusive stakeholder engagement: During discovery and design phases consider the needs of diverse stakeholders, including underrepresented communities, to create to increase the chances of the research having a tangible social, environmental and financial impact.
Monitor and evaluation research progress against sustainability goals. Track research against, for example, the UN SDGs, identifying areas where more effort is needed. Regularly provide clear updates metrics such as energy and resource use during R&D to stakeholders, such as investors, partners, and the public.
Continuous improvement: Each R&D iteration should be a learning experience. Improve sustainability performance by adapting processes, technologies, and practices to minimise environmental and social impacts.

Tools

Environmental Impact Assessments: Environmental impact assessment tools help organisations evaluate the potential environmental effects of their R&D projects. These tools can be a simple as a spreadsheet to capture and analyse basic information about the environmental impact during the different stages of R&D such as energy consumption, resource usage, waste generation), or a matrix showing how R&D decisions contribute to each UN SDG. Dedicated software packages (such as provided by Envigo) are available, but these are often considered too high cost for start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs.
Guidelines and Frameworks: Developing checklists and adopting existing frameworks, such as Green Software Development (see this example from BJSS), Cradle to Cradle design or Design for Sustainability (DfS), can provide a structured approach to integrating sustainability into R&D activities. Also, include plans for assessing the impact of your R&D project on selected UN SDGs. This will not only help in tracking the progress towards achieving the goals but also provide data to refine and improve future research projects.
Regulatory Compliance Tools: Compliance tools help R&D practitioners stay up to date with environmental regulations and standards. This can be as simple as setting up Google Alerts for relevant keywords or subscribing to paid-for services such as Deloitte’s RegHub.

Key Considerations

Resource efficiency: Optimise resource use during R&D, such as materials, energy, and human resources. Employ strategies such as running model training when renewable energy is at its peak, recycling and waste reduction. For instance, consider energy efficiency at the start of an R&D project, as it could lead to innovative approaches.
Sustainable materials: Use sustainable, renewable, and recyclable materials in product and service design. This supports a circular economy and helps reduce environmental impact.
Energy-efficient technologies: Integrate energy-efficient practices throughout the R&D process. For example, use energy-efficient machine learning and AI applications.

Adhering to these principles, using these tools, and considering these key issues will help Createch companies foster a culture of responsible innovation. This framework will guide you in developing products and services that not only meet market demands but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

This information is brought to you by the Centre for Sustainable Design (CfSD) at the University for the Creative Arts in the UK. CfSD was established in 1995 in Farnham, Surrey, UK and is based within the Business School for the Creative Industries (BSCI). The Centre has led and participated in a range of high-quality research projects and has organised hundreds of conferences, workshops and training courses in Europe. CfSD works with partners in Europe, Asia, and North America to deliver high quality results.

Disclaimer.