The Nuclear Gateway supports businesses and innovators to develop solutions to technical challenges facing the UK nuclear decommissioning industry.
What is it?
The Nuclear Gateway supports businesses and innovators to develop solutions to technical challenges facing the UK nuclear decommissioning industry.
The programme will fund selected technologies from concept development and proof of concept, through to market-ready and scale-up stages.
Run by iSH, and supported by the nuclear industry, the Nuclear Gateway is an opportunity for those who might not have previously worked in the nuclear industry to receive support from organisations and from the SME community to bring solutions to the table on a particular industry challenge.
Nuclear Gateway Statement
Innovative Solutions for the Identification, Mobilisation and Removal of Solid Accumulations in Complex Process and Storage Systems.
Solid accumulations within process systems, tanks, vessels and storage areas can become immobile over time, leading to blockages, reduced operational efficiency, impaired monitoring and control functions, and constraints on downstream processing and storage capacity. These accumulations often occur within complex internal geometries where access is restricted, visibility is limited and conventional inspection or remediation methods are difficult to deploy.
Deposits may develop within process equipment, around internal structures, within nozzles, interfaces, support arrangements and flow paths. Over time, they can restrict functionality, reduce available capacity and create uncertainty regarding asset condition and future operation. Existing removal methods may be ineffective, resource-intensive or unsuitable for the operating environment.
There is a need to identify and deploy safe, effective and practical solutions that can reliably identify, characterise, mobilise, remove and transfer accumulated solids, restoring functionality and enabling continued processing, treatment and storage operations.
Who can apply to take part?
To enter you must be based in, or have connections into, West Cumbria, and be an SME, Micro Business, Entrepreneur, Individual, Start-Up, Academic or Researcher.
When does it start?
Programme Launch Wednesday 14th October, 1pm – 3pm The Peddler, The Bus Station, Bransty Row, Whitehaven, CA28 7XE
How do I register?
Download and fill in the form on this page, explaining why you and/or your business are interested in taking part.
Where can I get more information?
See more details in the Participant Guidance information and on the Application Form.
How to Apply
Before you start:
Before submitting this Expression of Interest, the applicant must ensure that:
- The published Theme Brief and Participant Guidance have been reviewed by the applicant team.
- All sections of this form have been completed.
- The information provided is accurate and approved by all participants named in the application.
- Any relevant intellectual property, confidentiality or third-party rights have been identified.
- The applicant has the capability and capacity to participate in funded concept development if shortlisted.
Application process:
Applicants must complete all sections of this form and submit by the deadline announced.
Applications will first be checked for completeness. Eligible applications will then be assessed against the published First Assessment criteria:
- Theme fit
- Innovation and comparative advantage
- Technical feasibility
- Scalability
- Solver capability
The Nuclear Gateway intends to shortlist three to five solutions for funded concept development. Each successful applicant will be eligible to receive up to £10,000, subject to confirmation of eligibility, available funding and acceptance of the relevant funding terms.
The Nuclear Gateway may shortlist fewer than three solutions, or no solutions, where applications do not meet the required standard.
Completing the form:
The Expression of Interest consists of the following sections:
Applicants are required to complete:
Applicant Details, Proposed Solution, Applicant Capability, and Funding and Support. The purpose of this form is to provide an overview of both the applicant and the proposed solution. It is designed as an initial expression of interest and is not intended to serve as a detailed technical proposal or business case.
Where applicable, applicants are expected to explain technical terms and abbreviations used.
After completing the form, email it to nucleargateway@ishco.co.uk
Gary McKeating, Managing Director of iSH, said:
“iSH is all about inclusive growth. So there’s two things we want to achieve through the Nuclear Gateway. One is for local companies, individuals, to come up with solutions, but also for those solutions to be applied across industry as well, and hopefully over time for those companies to grow, to become more confident in working in the nuclear industry, and to then grow the economy.
“The Industrial Solutions Hub will also have a physical presence over the next 18 months, which is the ISH Enterprise Campus, and that will be a place for all of this activity to happen. The opportunities are massive, and the opportunities are long-term. So the Nuclear Gateway is a great chance to work with us from the start.”
Craig Branney, Head of Nuclear Gateway, said:
“What is sometimes really hard for businesses and individuals is feeling like the door to the nuclear industry is closed, so what we’re going to do with the Nuclear Gateway is we’re going to open that door.
“So you’ve got this fantastic opportunity to be involved with the Nuclear Gateway, working with Industrial Solutions Hub, nuclear professionals, the local SME community, commercialising problems to solutions, getting it ready for the nuclear industry and really having that door open for you.”