Up to £4.5m of grant funding is to be awarded by the Government in new research and development that will address business and technology challenges impeding the adoption of cloud computing.

Feasibility studies funded by the Technology Strategy Board last year identified three key issues that presented a challenge for many organisations to the adoption of cloud computing - interoperability, resilience of data and identity assurance.  This second round of investment aims to stimulate innovation to address these issues.

Through the Innovating in the Cloud competition for collaborative R&D funding, which opens on 9 July 2012, applications are invited for projects that will demonstrate how new or improved value chains and networks can be created, and show where value can be increased by offering innovative information, content and services in the cloud.

All proposals must be collaborative and business-led.  There are two strands to this competition. In the first, projects must be led by a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and will generally attract up to 50% public funding.  Up to £75,000 will be invested in each project, which must last between 6 and 12 months.  In the second strand, consortia must include at least one SME and one medium-to-large partner. These projects will generally attract up to 50% public funding and must last between 6 and 24 months.

For further information please visit: www.innovateuk.org