The DTI has a mission to promote world-class science & technology, support UK business success and ensure fair and flexible markets. We are committed to intervene where there is clear market failure and create institutions and partnerships-regionally, nationally and within Europe; that a modern economy demands.

The government is substantially increasing spending on science. Between 1997-2007, the science budget will have more than doubled, rising to £3.3 billion by the end of the period.

In order to continue the new investment culture in July 2004, the government published its ten-year framework for Science & Innovation. The goal is to raise the UK’s total private and public sector in research and development, as a proportion of national income, from its current 1.9% to 2.5% by 2014. Achieving this would put the UK ahead of other EU countries and significantly close the gap with the US.

The Technology Programme is a crucial part of the government’s Science and Innovation Investment Framework - £370 million over three years (2005-2008) to support companies by sharing some of the financial risk of their medium to long-term investments in technology.

The Technology Programme is already making a difference - it has allocated £245m funding in four competitions since its launch.

Brew funding

RC Funding for Technology Programme