Small and micro companies are invited to bid for a share of £1.8 million government funding to carry out research and development feasibility projects that address the converged nature of the digital landscape.

The Technology Strategy Board (www.innovateuk.org) programme, which will be delivered in three parts in 2012, will seek proposals for feasibility projects that focus on convergence in hyper-local media models, content origination tools, and analytical feedback and metrics tools.  The funding will be spread equally over the three component challenges within the programme.

The first challenge asks for proposals that relate to encouraging innovative, hyper-local cross-media platforms and enabling technologies that will drive new service offerings, reach out into communities and provide conduits for public services. The challenge opens on 23 April 2012 and the registration deadline is 16 May 2012.

This challenge will be complemented by a parallel competition and research programme funded by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA). Successful applicants under the first challenge will have the opportunity to meet with and potentially collaborate with NESTA-funded projects that focus on the content and service aspects of hyper-local media.

The second challenge, opening on 16 July 2012, focuses on projects that will lead to true cross-platform origination of content, the collaborative generation of ideas, and new business models for content based on cross-media formats and consumption.

The third challenge, opening on 15 October 2012, seeks projects that investigate the potential of cross-platform analytical metrics and feedback tools to help content producers better understand the consumption of their products in a converged digital landscape.

Projects must be led by small or micro businesses, working individually or in collaboration, and should last no more than 12 months. Total project costs must not exceed £75,000 and up to 75% grant funding will be available.

For further information about the Convergence in a Digital Landscape competition please visit: Digital Convergence