The Future Open Networks Research Challenge (FONRC) from DCMS is a £25 million challenge competition targeted at TRL1-5 research enabling universities to work with industrial telecoms organisations or all sizes to conduct research and development to drive the openness and interoperability of future network architecture.
Applicants are encouraged to ‘consider the following broad areas of technologies in their
proposed research: cloud infrastructure, decentralised architectures, artificial intelligence /
machine learning, fixed and wireless convergence, radio frequency system and subsystem
design, photonics, satellite / space technologies, systems integration, security, network
management and quantum technologies’
Funding of £4million to £12 million for individual projects lasting up to two years
Timelines
- Briefing event: 2 August 2022
- EOI submission deadline (optional): noon 12 August 2022
- DCMS review and feedback of EOIs: 15 – 26 August 2022
- Challenge closes (deadline for full proposals): noon 3 October 2022
- Assessment (no interviews): 4 – 14 October 2022
- Notification to successful projects: week commencing 31 October 2022
- Grant funding agreements signed: 10 weeks from notification
- Delivery of projects to commence: January 2023
