How to build an electric vehicle

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The Transport iNet is able to offer a range of funding support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and universities around the East Midlands. The iNet administers two pots of funding: Innovation support grants of up to £10,000 are awarded to regional SMEs in the sector to purchase external expertise, and the Higher Education Fund is distributed for universities and businesses to work together to take commercially significant research forward.

The Transport iNet is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The aim of the iNet is to share expertise and stimulate the research and development of new products, services and processes across the key regional subsectors of... rail, marine, automotive, motorsport and aerospace.

About East Midlands Innovation
East Midlands innovation is the council established by emda to guide the Agency's investment in innovation and oversee delivery of the regional innovation strategy (RIS). The RIS aims to promote dynamic, responsive and sustainably successful regional economy. East Midlands Innovation's principle responsibility is to take the lead for emda in implementing the Innovation Strategy and Action Plan for the East Midlands with the aim to grow a long term, sustainable, innovation-led economy.

About iNets
In order to deliver the RIS and coordinate action under its four themes, ewith advice form East Midlands Innovation, emda has established four business-led innovation Networks (iNets) which are focused on the identified regional industry and research strengths across four priority sectors. These have been identified as:

• Healthcare and Bioscience
• Food and Drink
• Sustainable Construction
• Transport

The iNets are raising the level of innovation in their sectors, with the aim of stimulating the research and development of new products, services and processes.
For further information, visit: www.eminnovation.org.uk

About the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) The ERDF Programme aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development.
The ERDF objectives for England are:

• Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer
• Stimulating  enterprise and supporting successful business
• Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption
• Building sustainable communities
• Improving accessibility and connectivity (for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly only - as part of their Convergence Programme).

A Programme Monitoring Committee consisting of regional stakeholders such as Government Offices, RDAs, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, Sub-regional Partnerships, Higher Education Institutions, Trade Unions, and the private and voluntary sectors will monitor and oversee programme implementation in each region.

For more information on ERDF funding generally, please visit: 
www.communities.gov.uk/citiesandregions/european/europeanregionaldevelopment

About ERDF in the East Midlands
The East Midlands is eligible for 268.5m Euros between 2007 and 2013, which, when combined with match funding, provides a programme value of approximately £420m - a significant investment in the economic development of the region. The East Midlands qualifies as a competitiveness and employment region under the EU's Cohesion Policy, which aims to meet the EU Lisbon objective to become 'the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.'

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is responsible for the programme management and delivery of the region's 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme. The responsibility for the ERDF programme management was transferred from the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) to emda following a decision by the UK Government to seek greater alignment between ERDF and regional strategies and funding streams. The 2007-13 ERDF Programme is therefore set firmly within the framework of the Regional Economic Strategy.

A Programme Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Regional Director of Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), guides the strategic direction of the programme and works closely with emda.

To find out more about ERDF, the region's strategy for delivering the funds, how to apply for funding and how the programme is managed, please visit: www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk/