Oliver Doubleday, Chair of East Malling Trust, said: “Funding for research and innovation to support the horticultural industry has been at the heart of the Trust’s work for more than a century.
“Thanks to Growing Kent & Medway’s grant scheme, it will ensure the sector can make an even greater contribution to the development and sustainability of the local economy through the commercial application of science and research.”
Applications are open from 6 September 2021 only for Kent or Medway-based businesses, or those carrying out significant economic activity in the region, working in horticultural food and drink sector or enabling technologies.
Prof Andrew Westby, Director of NRI, said: “COVID and the climate crisis have brought greater challenges to agriculture and food systems. Through NRI’s research in crop protection, post-harvest storage, value addition and food innovation, we support local economic growth by working with businesses and partners to become more profitable, resilient, sustainable and future proof. The grants programme announced today will boost businesses in Kent and Medway and strengthen partnerships with the University of Greenwich,”
For more information about the grants and to find out how to apply, visit growingkentandmedway.com
Growing Kent & Medway is supported by government funding provided through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund.
For all press enquiries, please contact Lauren Colagiovanni, Senior Communications Manager, Growing Kent & Medway:
About Growing Kent & Medway
Growing Kent & Medway is a world-class research, innovation and enterprise cluster. It connects businesses in the region to support innovation and to establish the area as a world-leader in sustainable horticultural food and drink production.
The programme brings together innovative growers and processors, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs to stimulate research, innovation and business growth. It invests in state-of-the-art infrastructure, collaborative research and innovation, and enterprise growth.
The programme is led by NIAB EMR (the UK’s largest horticultural research and development centre in East Malling). Additional research and commercial partners include: University of Greenwich, University of Kent, Locate in Kent, APS Group, Berry Gardens, Chapel Down, Geku Automation, Gusbourne, RH Group, Smurfit Kappa, Thanet Earth, The Kent and Medway Economic Partnership, Worldwide Fruit.
About UKRI Strength in Places fund
Led by UK Research and Innovation, Strength in Places Fund is a competitive funding scheme that takes a place-based approach to research and innovation funding, to support significant local economic growth.