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Contracts for Innovation: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusionJoin to apply for theContracts for Innovation: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusionrole atInnovate UK ICURe Contracts for Innovation: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusion2 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for theContracts for Innovation: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusionrole atInnovate UK ICURe Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. This is a Contracts for Innovation (previously SBRI) competition funded by the UK Atomic Energy Authority. The aim of the competition is to develop solutions to fusion energy challenges in two key priority areas. The competition has one theme: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusion. This covers:Reducing the carbon footprint of fusion power plants through novel radiation shields. Improving the economic prospects for fusion through lower cost, flexibly deployable, or reusable radiation shielding. Reducing external dose and increasing component survival through improved shielding.This is a Phase 1 feasibility study and there is no restriction on technology readiness level. Future phases will depend on funding.We expect to fund a number of projects. Each project should start by October 2026 and be delivered by April 2026, lasting up to 6 months. Each project can range in size up to total costs of £250,000, inclusive of VAT. (The total budget is £2.5m.)Further documentation is available by registering on the UK government’s contracts finder at the link below, and expressing your interest in the contract.To lead a project, you must be an eligible organisation of any size with a UK registration or registered office (this includes academic organisations and businesses).You may work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector as subcontractorsApplicants are welcome from all sectors.The aim of this competition is to promote innovation in radiological shielding for the expected usage cases within future fusion power plants including, but not limited to, the STEP prototype. The different applications include shielding from neutrons – both interior or exterior to a fusion vessel, as well as shielding from gamma dose during operation and maintenance. But the requirement is more than just sufficient shielding; there is a desire to innovate to reduce the carbon/environmental impact of shielding during manufacture, transport, installation and decommissioning, as well as reducing cost where possible by reducing mass/volume requirements (which will also help to make fusion systems easier to design and manufacture) and encouraging recycling/re-use.A Proposal Could Focus OnNovel shielding materials and designs for in-vessel neutron and gamma shielding; solutions that provide sufficient shielding with a minimised volume and/or mass. High efficacy in-vessel shielding with improved radiation tolerance and environmental compatibility (thermomechanical loading, corrosion resistance, fuel retention, etc.) to improve component lifetimes (and thereby reduce replacement requirements, overall cost and environmental impact). Reduced activation options for in-vessel shielding – lowering the lifetime activation of the shield components will be important for reducing lifetime environmental impact (and decommissioning costs). Novel modular shielding for ex-vessel (e.g. bioshield) applications with reduced lifecycle (manufacture, operation, decommission) carbon footprint. Modular shielding solutions (particularly for ex-vessel), considering both new (lightweight) materials and/or novel fabrication methods to achieve modularity. Challenges will exist around ensuring the modularity doesn’t create reduced shielding performance (e.g. due to shine paths). Shielding solutions that balance reusability against initial fabrication cost (economic and environmental) – considering whether a reusable system can have a higher initial environmental footprint or cost of manufacture but this can be offset against increased total lifetime. This could apply to both in-vessel and ex-vessel applications.For full technical specifications with details of shield performance requirements, please register at the link below and download the supporting documents.Your proposal must: reduce the risk involved in the take up of new technologies outline plans to accelerate time to market be pre-commercial explain the rationale for the solution and describe the expected impact define how the proposed solution would enable and support the delivery of sustainable fusion power plants demonstrate a clear plan for commercialisation with a route to market for affordable, developed solutions describe how solutions can be tested in a representative or real world explain how any potentially negative outcomes would be managed, such as on the environment or society demonstrate how you will work with at least one potential future customer throughout your project how export control and regulation will be addressedYour Solution Mustbe based on sound fundamental technical principles be innovative be practical and deliverable take affordability into consideration demonstrate the potential for cost-effectiveness integrate with existing systems where necessary consider user experience throughout the design and development processPreference Will Be Given To Applications Whichhelp the innovation be formally accepted for future use in a fusion plant environment, for example by obtaining relevant regulatory certificates offer innovations which consider existing infrastructure and potential interfacesYou must demonstrate a credible and practical route to market, so your application must include a plan to commercialise your results.A briefing event was held on Wednesday 16 July at 11am: register at the link below to access the slides and recording.For additional queries, contact help to find a subcontractor or collaboration partner, please contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Energy team or Materials team.Find out more and apply Seniority levelSeniority level Entry level Employment typeEmployment type Contract Job functionJob function Legal Industries Research Services Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Innovate UK ICURe by 2x Sign in to set job alerts for “Contract Specialist” roles.Swindon, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago Grove, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago Newbury, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago Contracts for Innovation: Resource Efficient Chemicals ImpactsSwindon, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago Trowbridge, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago Harwell, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago Health and Safety Administrator - 6 Months Fixed Term ContractGrove, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago Brize Norton, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago Contracts for Innovation: Resource Efficient Automotive ImpactsSwindon, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago Witney, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago Defence Modelling & Simulation Office (DMSO) Business Support Officer (BSO)Shrivenham, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago Swindon, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago Harwell, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago Marlborough, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago Burford, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago Swindon, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago Resource Planner - Littlecombe Depot - DursleyStroud, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago Witney, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago Operations Co-Ordinator (Client Transfers)Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago Long Hanborough, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago Administrator | Duke of Gloucester BarracksCirencester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. 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