UK-US matchmaking for Offshore Wind R&D Competition

Welcome to the virtual matchmaking platform for prospective UK and US applicants to the UK-US Offshore Wind R&D competition.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is working with the US National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC) to invest in UK-US collaborative innovation projects that reduce the cost and risk of offshore wind deployment in the US. To be eligible for funding, UK and US applicants must find collaboration partners and apply for funding from their respective national funding agencies. Further details on the competition scope, eligibility and funding rules are outlined below.

This b2match platform is your opportunity to find potential UK and US collaboration partners by posting a profile about your innovation, your project idea, and the type of organisation you would like to collaborate with. You can also arrange 1-2-1 online meetings to take your discussions forward.

The platform is open to offshore wind organisations from both the UK and the US which meet the competition’s scope and eligibility.

Please note: this platform does not constitute an application to the competition – it is for finding potential partners only. Use the links below to learn more.

It’s easy – simply complete your online profile here and start messaging other potential partners to arrange meetings.

Unlike other b2match events based around a specific day of face-to-face networking, this virtual event is fully flexible and will remain open until the competition closes on 10th January 2024

Simply arrange a video call with potential partners using this website, or email to schedule a virtual meet via your preferred platform.

No. The b2match platform is entirely free to use. We will however be asking for feedback on the site and to learn if you found a suitable partner using b2match once the competition has closed.

This competition is open to collaborations between UK and US projects only.

UK projects will be between 12 to 24 months in duration, with US projects typically ranging from 6 to 30 months, depending on the funding category, project scope and goals. UK projects must apply for grant funding from Innovate UK, with US projects applying directly via NOWRDC. UK and US applicants must demonstrate significant and meaningful UK-US collaboration. The competition will open on 16th October 2023 and will close on 10th January 2024.

For full details of the competition, including scope, eligibility, and funding rules, please follow these 2 links: 

• Innovate UK competition (for UK applicants): Competition page - Innovate UK

• NOWRDC Solicitation 3.0 (for US applicants): Solicitations - National Offshore Wind

Please note: the R&D competition application process has specific requirements, so please refer to the 2 links above for application process, scope, eligibility, and funding rules.

A briefing event will be held to explain things in more detail. Join at 4pm UK time on the 18th October to hear more. The briefing event will be recorded.

Your project’s scope must address one or more of the following challenge areas, and must also align with the US project you intend to collaborate with:

1. Solutions to facilitate offshore wind resiliency and transmission coordination

   • 1a Development and demonstration of solutions that improve offshore wind power reliability

   • 1b Development and demonstration of innovations in coordinated transmission solutions that optimize efficiency across multiple large projects, minimize environmental impacts, and conform with onshore grid constraints

   • 1c Development and demonstration of solutions for integration of long duration energy storage of greater than 10 hours with offshore wind, to facilitate offshore wind resiliency, transmission coordination and integration

2. Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Systems Development

   • 2a Technologies and strategies that advance the effectiveness, cost efficiency, and safety of O&M

   • 2b Technologies and strategies that advance O&M supply chain development and flexibility

3. Innovation to facilitate ocean area coexistence

   • Technology concepts that reduce offshore development and operational impacts on the marine biosphere

Competition opens: 16th October 2023

Applicant briefing:  18th October 2023 – join here at 4pm UK time. A link to the recording will be posted on IFS under the “Dates” tab for this competition

Competition closes: 10th January 2024

Applicants notified: 22nd March 2024