Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what work Innovate UK plans to take to increase advertising of the Contracts for Innovation grants programme in Northern Ireland.

Innovate UK designed the methodology and provides guidance on Contracts for Innovation but most competitions are organised and delivered by other public bodies.

Innovate UK promote all Contracts for Innovation competitions it is aware of through social media and other communication channels. When Innovate UK directly operates competitions, it advertises them through its Innovation Funding Service alongside all other R&D funding opportunities. Innovate UK’s regional support advisors active in Northern Ireland can help direct local firms to appropriate funding programmes.