Research > PRISM

PRISM

PRISM is a Programme of Research and Innovation for the UK Steel and Metals sector, providing funding to support innovation in:

• Decarbonisation
• Digital technologies
• Circular economy

The programme was announced by the UK finance minister in the March 2020 budget and is being delivered by the Materials Processing Institute. The funding is provided through Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.

The primary aims of the programme are to:

• Increase the competitiveness of the UK steel and metals sector
• To support Government aims to achieve net zero by 2050, improve business productivity and competitiveness and level up across the nations and regions of the UK
• To develop and enhance facilities and capabilities at the Materials Processing Institute, providing underpinning funding for development of sustainable long term revenue

The programme is funding the following activity at the Materials Processing Institute:

Core Projects

100% funded

Developing the technologies of tomorrow, these projects are aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of widely applicable technologies for the sector.

Collaborative Projects

50% funded

Multi partner projects, involving collaboration partners across the sector and supply chain, to deliver new technology solutions that will enhance the competitiveness of UK industry. 50% of the services provided by the Institute are funded.

Private Projects

25% funded

Specific, targeted projects for individual companies, or small consortia, that improve productivity, develop new products, or apply new technologies, to meet the aims of the programme. 25% of the services provided by the Institute are funded.

Compared to most other sources of funding PRISM has some unique features and benefits for partners involved in collaboration and private projects.

Programme Features	Programme Benefits
Projects are relevant to specific partner needs, not tailored to meet a specific call	Accessibility is increased
Reduced red tape leads to faster implementation	Shorter return on investment
Technology Readiness Levels 4 – 7 (demonstration, scale-up & commercialisation)	Revenue from implementation & commercialisation
Applies to the whole UK Metals Sector supply chain	Larger challenges can be addressed, more partners mean lower individual costs
Sharing & dissemination of results according to project agreement	Commercially Confidential

Enquire about PRISM

Please complete and submit the enquiry form if you have a project where you think the Institute’s services can contribute and you would like to be considered for funding as part of the PRISM Programme. Alternatively, if you have any questions or would like to find out more about PRISM, please contact enquiries@mpiuk.com.

Enquiry Form

PRISM is guided by a team of high level industry leaders on our Industrial Advisory Board. Members of the board represent the following organisations:

Tata Steel, Celsa Steel, Outokumpu Stainless Steel, Sheffield Forgemasters, British Steel, Liberty Steel, UK Metals Council, British Manufacturing Plant Constructors’ Association, Swansea University and the Aluminium Federation

Funded Research Projects