New funding brings sense of opportunity

8 Nov 2018

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC), together with Scotland’s enterprise agencies, is to invest £9.25 million in CENSIS, the industry-led Innovation Centre for the economically important domains of sensor and imaging systems, 'Internet of Things' technologies, and their applications.

Of the fund, SFC will contribute £7.3 million, while £1.7 million will come from Scottish Enterprise, and £250,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. A private sector contribution is expected to supplement this amount by additional £3 million.

The funding was announced in Glasgow today by Ivan McKee, Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, at CENSIS' fifth annual technology summit.

Ivan McKee MSP said:

“I am delighted to be making this announcement. Creativity and innovation are vital if we are to realise Scotland’s potential and capitalise on technological advancements, enabling our move to a low carbon economy and improving the economic and social wellbeing of all.

Ian Reid, Chief Executive of CENSIS, added: “This funding will allow us to build on the foundations set in place over the past five years with a renewed sector focus on the Internet of Things; digital manufacturing; the monitoring of the built and natural environment; and subsea, offshore, and marine activities. We’ll also be concentrating our efforts on projects where we can make an economic and social impact, such as healthcare and independent living, the environment and precision agriculture.”

During its first five-year phase, CENSIS brokered 138 projects between industry and academics worth a combined £17.3 million.

It is one of eight Innovation Centres funded by SFC,  Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The common aim of Scotland’s Innovation Centres is to help businesses large and small increase the pace of innovation – and, in turn, help the Scottish economy to prosper.