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UK Sport’s Research and
Innovation team will be searching for ideas that could impact
on British athletes’ performances at Olympic and Paralympic Games
beyond 2012 via this year’s Ideas4Innovation competition.
Ideas4Innovation is an
award scheme aimed at harnessing exceptional research concepts
and proposals which, given sufficient funding and support, could
improve British athletes’ performances. Since the scheme was launched
in 2008, UK Sport has awarded six prizes of research and development
funding of up to £25,000 to students and individuals to invest
in their ideas.
Now, with less than 550
days to go to the start of the London 2012 Games, the team is
seeking new ideas from Britain’s scientists and engineers in the
fields of athlete equipment and accessories, coaching technologies,
training science or performance medicine, which could give Britain’s
Olympians or Paralympians the edge over their rivals at the Winter
Games in Sochi in 2014 or in Rio in 2016.
UK Sport’s Head of Research
and Innovation, Dr Scott Drawer, said: “In our constant battle
to remain one step ahead of the competition, our work is increasingly
now looking beyond 2012 and towards evolving our ideas for the
next Olympic cycle. Now is a fantastic time to be looking ahead
to Sochi and Rio, with plenty of time to test the robustness and
performance impact of the concept.
“Essentially this means
even if your idea or concept is in its infancy, as long as there
is clear rationale and evidence base behind it, we will consider
it for investment in this year’s Ideas4Innovation research fund.
“Of course if you think
your idea is at a more advanced stage, and could impact on performances
in 2012, we still want to hear from you – we’re used to reacting
rapidly if we think we can make a difference.”
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic
Gold Medalist and Ideas4Innovation 2011 Ambassador Amy Williams,
said: “Creative thinking by some very clever scientists and engineers
meant that I went to the Games in Vancouver among the best equipped
and prepared athletes out there, which gave me great confidence
going into the competition.
“If you think you could
apply your knowledge and experience to helping British athletes
like me achieve success in Sochi 2014 or the summer Games in Rio
in 2016, UK Sport wants to hear your ideas. Ideas4Innovation is
a fantastic way to get involved.
“For me, it’s great to
see a project that was inspired by the London 2012 Games generating
ideas and concepts in legacy for British summer and winter sport
athletes for years to come.”
Students are encouraged
to apply via the ‘New Researchers’ entry route, while others outside
of higher education can apply via the ‘Garage Innovators’ application
process. Entries for the 2011 Ideas4Innovation Awards will close
on Friday 8 July. The applicants with the top eight ideas will
be invited to UK Sport’s offices in London on Thursday 4 August
to present their ideas to an expert panel, and will win a £500
prize. Any idea which the panel believes has the potential to
make a significant performance impact on British athletes could
win up to £25,000 in research funding to help turn their idea
into a reality.
Applications for the 2011
Ideas4Innovation Awards are now open. To apply please download
and complete our simple application form at www.uksport.gov.uk/ideas4innovation
by 8 July 2011. Applicants who require more information on
the Ideas4Innovation scheme should contact ideas4innovation@uksport.gov.uk
.
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