The Technology Strategy Board and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) are to invest up to £2m in feasibility studies to encourage the development of innovative technologies for the safe and responsible exploitation of the UK's shale gas resources.

Projects put forward must be business-led, and the competition is open to companies of any size, although the TSB particularly encourages the participation of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

Projects can be collaborative or developed by a single business. The competition is also  encouraging projects that involve technology transfer from other sectors, for example from the ICT, digital, space and high value manufacturing sectors. The TSB is particularly interested in attracting a site developer willing to provide a ‘test bed' for innovative technologies in this area.

 The project is expected to fund feasibility studies (pre-industrial research projects) in which a business partner will generally attract up to 65% public funding for their project costs (75% for SMEs). Research organisations can participate as partners, but cannot lead a project.

 Projects are also expected to last between six and 12 months and to range in size from total costs of £50k to £150k.

 The competition will open on 23 June 2014, registration closes on 17th Sep 2014 and the deadline for applications is at noon on 24 September 2014. A briefing day and consortium-building event for potential applicants will be held on 9 July 2014.

Click here for further information about the scope of the project and how to apply.