Academia & Research Funding Opportunity to Develop Improvements in Multi-tier Supply Chain & Value-sharing - closed

Introduction

The Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub has a mission to transform UK manufacturing through digitally empowered supply chains that are more efficient, resilient and sustainable. We call for research applications to help answer the question: “What are the business benefits that can be driven across supply chains through digitalisation?” This is a key question to unlock UK manufacturing investment in digitalisation.

This is a two-phased programme aiming to cover both research and validation through Digital Supply Chain Hub’s Testbeds and Ecosystem. 

  • Phase 1 – Research (6 months): Conduct the two-part research outlined in the Challenge Brief. Propose a high-level plan for Phase 2 (the requirement of the Phase 2 proposal will be communicated during the Phase 1 delivery).
  • Phase 2 – Validate & Demonstrate (3 months): Test the business modelling approach and methodology through the Digital Supply Chain Hub Testbeds. Gather feedback from partners in the Digital Supply Chain Hub ecosystem to validate that the benefit and value-sharing mechanism is fit for purpose and feasible for further adoption.

The challenge is in two parts each of which can be developed separately or can be combined:

  • Part 1: Develop and validate a business modelling approach for a multi-tier supply chain
  • Part 2: Develop and validate a value-sharing model and approach for equitably sharing benefits across supply chains.

The programme will provide up to £80,000 in grant funding for Phase 1 and a further £40,000 for Phase 2. The eligibility for Phase 2 funding is dependent on the outcome of  Phase 1.

Why should you get involved?

Participants in the Programme will become part of Digital Supply Chain Hub’s growing Ecosystem and receive the following benefits:

Phase 1:

  • Up to £80,000 grant funding to work on a Research Paper for 6 months.
  • The opportunity to undertake funded research and explore developments which your organisation may have discounted due to commercial constraints.
  • The opportunity to become part of the new ecosystem being created around the Digital Supply Chain Hub.
  • The opportunity to disseminate research results across the Digital Supply Chain Hub ecosystem and related events (e.g. programme showcase events, partner engagement events.)

Phase 2:

  • Up to £40,000 grant funding to test and validate the proposed model and option for 3 months.
  • The opportunity to partner with the Digital Supply Chain Hub testbed consortium to implement the research results with real-world data.
  • The opportunity to strengthen the collaboration with the Digital Supply Chain Hub ecosystem, bringing about  greater impact.
  • Showcase event: Opportunity to participate in the showcase event in 2024 and/or 2025.

Phases 1 & 2:

  • Join leaders from 105 trailblazing Industry and technology providers, 15 universities and several government departments, developing technology solutions to prove real business value in our 4 national testbeds.
  • Upon successful completion of the Project, the participant will have the opportunity to join the future Digital Supply Chain Hub Platform. This will offer a platform for connecting interested digital supply chain stakeholders.
  • Upon successful completion of the Project, the opportunity to join the Digital Catapult Alumni Network. This keeps alumni informed of opportunities and will provide updates from Digital Catapult providing additional opportunities to engage.

Challenge briefs

  • Part 2: A value-sharing model and approach for equitably sharing benefits across supply chains

    The focus of this challenge is to develop models of options for benefits and value-sharing across supply chains. The proposed focus is as follows:

    • Review current research and best practices both from academia and industry of benefit sharing across supply chains, looking at the approaches used, governance, contracting approaches and technologies that support these approaches.
    • Build a range of options and scenarios that could be considered for the sharing of value across supply chains, dependent on the nature of the supply chain and the value to be shared. This should include looking at industry approaches to data and value sharing across supply chains such as Catena X in automotive and other utility-based models.
    • Discuss and get input and views from the industry on the preferred approach and viability around value sharing across supply chains including the barriers to making this work.
    • Finalise a report on the best approaches for value sharing and models that could be tested and adopted by the industry.

    Expected outcome:

    • Phase 1 Research: A report summarising the best approaches to value sharing across supply chains, including existing examples, barriers and how they have been overcome.
    • Phase 2 Validate & Demonstrate: Gather feedback from the industry on  the viability of different approaches and the preferred approach and models that could be adopted by the industry
  • Part 1: A business case modelling approach for multi-tier supply chains

    The focus of this part is to develop a business case modelling approach for multi-tier supply chains that can demonstrate the value of implementing digital supply chain solutions both at a business node and at a supply chain network level.

    This challenge should look at existing research in this area, and the methodologies used particularly with a focus on digital transformations. Then develop a business value assessment methodology to identify the potential financial, social and environmental savings that could be generated through the deployment of advanced digital technologies in specific supply chains. The aim is to develop a simple approach and methodology that can be adopted by industry.

    Expected outcome:

    • Phase 1 Research: A business case modelling approach for multi-tier supply chains, which could be developed into a modelling tool for any business within a supply chain. It should also account for accrued benefits across the supply chain, meaning the net effect of benefits across a network, not the gross benefits at each node.
    • Phase 2 Validate & Demonstrate: Test this approach and methodology through the Digital Supply Chain Hub Testbeds and alternative supply chains.

Terms & Conditions

Please review terms and conditions before applying here.

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Application process

Applications are now closed and currently under assessment. If you have any questions please contact us via dschopencalls@digicatapult.org.uk

Frequently asked questions

  • Do you have to be UK based?
    • Applicants must be a UK-based registered company, or prove they are a company that has an establishment in the UK, and undertake all activity in the UK.
    • Applicants must have a UK business bank account for any payments to be made.
  • If I have previously worked with Digital Catapult, am I able to apply?
    • Yes, companies who have already worked with Catapult are eligible for future programmes with any programme they must meet the minimum requirements and be able to claim the programmes value in state aid.

    This Programme has been assessed as providing £80,000 for Phase 1, £40,000 for Phase 2 for Participants,

    • Before signing the Programme Agreement, Applicants will therefore be asked to sign a declaration confirming that they are eligible to receive the State Assistance
    • For more information please find our competition terms and conditions,
  • What are the programme’s minimum requirements?
    • Applicants must be eligible to receive £120,000 in State Assistance.
    • Applicants must have a UK business bank account for any payments to be made.
    • Applicants must be a UK-based registered company, or prove they are a company that has an establishment in the UK, and undertake all activity in the UK.
  • How will my application be assessed?

    All applications will have to meet our minimum requirements as outlined in the T&Cs

    and will then be scored against are selection criteria below.

    • Strength and Originality of the idea: Project Vision & relevant technology application (50%)

    The applicant’s idea is realistic, well-developed and demonstrates a strong vision and application to the chosen challenge with consideration to the market fit and context. shows a good understanding and a clearly identified solution with relevance to the manufacturing sector and the challenge objectives. The idea is innovative and original and the proposal has clear aims and vision.

    The idea presented applies suitable advanced digital technologies in a supply chain context and the product is at a suitable technology readiness level (TRL) according to the challenge brief.

    • Project delivery and feasibility (20%)

    The technical delivery of the proposal is feasible with a viable solution, within the timeframe and budget. This includes the development and piloting of a Minimal Viable Product (MVP).

    The team shows the relevant capabilities and manufacturing domain experience, to deliver the project successfully.

    All evidence in a well throughout and feasible Product Roadmap.

    • Financial (20%)

    The applicant should deliver a clear overview and explanation of the costs of the programme and confidence that financial management and control of the project will deliver good value for money.

    • Growth Potential (10%)

    The company should be capable of demonstrating the significant market demand for their solution and outline how the idea is scalable and has the potential to succeed in its full range of capabilities at a growing scale.