Joint industry projects allow you to tackle common industry challenges in collaboration with the Nuclear AMRC and other manufacturing companies.
Joint industry projects bring together a number of companies which are facing a shared technology challenge – for example, understanding the machinability of exotic alloys for fusion reactor applications, or developing the code case for a new welding process.
This joint approach allows you to leverage your R&D investment, and draw on the expertise and knowhow of the Nuclear AMRC and partner organisations. Most joint projects will draw on early-stage research we have completed with funding from the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
Joint industry projects are funded by a small consortium of companies, with results shared exclusively between the participants. They are suitable for companies of all sizes, at any tier of the supply chain.
You don’t have to be a member of the Nuclear AMRC to take part. Joint industry projects can also let you work towards solving shared problems in a faster and more flexible way than traditional collaborative R&D projects which depend on raising external funding.
Current projects
Machining of refractory metals – we are working with partners to develop innovative and optimised processes for the machining of refractory materials such as tungsten, for fusion power and other demanding applications.
Heavy section electron beam welding – we are part of an international project led by our member EPRI with partners including Sheffield Forgemasters to deploy thick-section electron beam welding techniques for the fabrication of vessels and other major components.
Benefits
Joint industry projects allow you to work on challenges which are too complex or costly to be handled by one organisation, or which require specific knowledge or equipment which can be difficult to source by yourself.
A joint industry project can let you:
- Work collaboratively with industry peers to solve common challenges.
- De-risk and leverage your R&D investment by sharing costs and resources.
- Direct a research programme with direct relevance to your business needs.
- Develop new insight and knowledge to advance your business.
- Share and develop knowledge with like-minded companies.
How it works
1. Identify the challenge
Through our ongoing engagement with companies at all levels of the nuclear supply chain and our early-stage R&D projects funded by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the Nuclear AMRC has identified a number of challenges suitable for joint industry projects.
We also welcome proposals for joint industry projects from companies and other organisations.
2. Challenge workshop
We arrange a workshop meeting, open to all interested companies, to refine and agree the challenges. Following this discussion, we will agree a scope of work for a joint industry project to meet the needs of the participating companies.
3. Form consortium
Companies are formally invited to join the project. A joint industry project typically brings together four to six companies, although this can vary depending on the scope of the challenge.
4. Collaboration agreement
We jointly agree the scope of work, timescales, costs and treatment of any resulting intellectual property. The written agreement is signed by all participants.
Participating companies equally share the costs of the project. You will usually pay cash upfront, but in some cases may provide an in-kind contribution such as material of equal value.
5. Project delivery
Our researchers tackle the agreed challenge, under the direction and governance of the consortium.
We will keep you updated on an agreed schedule. If anything unexpected comes up, we will inform you as soon as possible and manage change control.
6. Project close and knowledge sharing
We will share the project results with all participants in an agreed format.
We can also discuss continuing collaboration or follow-on work to take the innovation and knowledge developed during the project to the next stage of development.
