The Zepler Institute at the University of Southampton is part of a new EU programme; the Access Center for Photonics Innovation Solutions and Technology Support (ACTPHAST) which is offering to provide up to €80k worth of innovation support to SMEs per project undertaken in the field of photonics. Support available includes access to expertise, facilities, and technology.

The photonics market – loosely defined as the science applications of light – in Europe is estimated to be worth ~ €60bn and is set to grow by up to 10% with a global market estimated to be worth ~ €480bn by 2015.

But the successful development of ideas in this market can prove difficult for a number of reasons; lack of photonic expertise, expensive R&D and investment is seen as risky.

For these reasons, ACTPHAST has been designed to offer a large scale solution by making European expert advice and technologies available to SME companies.

Call for projects will open in mid-January so to learn more now please contact Tom Carr, the UK Outreach Coordinator on t.j.carr@soton.ac.uk or visit the website: http://www.actphast.eu/