AMSCI 2014 competition open for collaborative bids

The 2014 Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) competition is now open. AMSCI is a funding competition, launched in 2012, designed to improve the global competitiveness of UK advanced manufacturing supply chains and encourage major new suppliers to locate in the UK both in terms of re shoring work from overseas and capturing new capabilities.

Bids are invited from collaborative partnerships involving new or existing UK based manufacturing companies. The scheme is unique; it is required as a condition of funding that companies demonstrate collaboration that goes beyond a normal customer supplier relationship to create lasting shared value in skills, infrastructure or research.  AMSCI funding can be used to support research and development, skills development and/or purchase of capital equipment. This £100m fund is intended to support the creation and safeguarding of manufacturing jobs in the UK subject to compliance with State Aid rules.

The Finance Birmingham helpline is available to talk potential bidders, particularly SMEs, through the process. Approvals will be by an Independent investment Board that will meet throughout 2014.

More infomation is available at www.financebirmingham.com/amsci

A West Midlands regional road show has been arranged for 29 July at Coventry University.  Further details will be available on the above website shortly.