Innovate UK AI Tools for Education PDF

Contracts for Innovation Competition: AI Tools for Education Applicant briefing Date: 09 September 2024 The webinar will start at 12:00 ▪ We are currently on mute, whilst waiting for more people to join ▪ We will conduct a sound check before the briefing starts ▪ Please ensure that you are dial...

Contracts for Innovation Competition: AI Tools for Education Applicant briefing Date: 09 September 2024 The webinar will start at 12:00 ▪ We are currently on mute, whilst waiting for more people to join ▪ We will conduct a sound check before the briefing starts ▪ Please ensure that you are dialled in, either by computer or phone, so that you can hear the briefing. ▪ If you have any audio issues, please dial in from a fixed line. ▪ The briefing will be recorded and available for you Agenda ▪ Welcome and introductions ▪ Part 1 Intro to Contracts for Innovation key features ▪ Part 2 Scope, eligibility criteria ▪ Part 3 The Innovation Funding Service, application finances ▪ Part 4 Submitting your application, assessment Welcome and Introductions Innovate UK team Steph Armitage Tom Doyle Department for Education team Georgina Langley Fay Skevington Dorcas Marshall About Contracts for Innovation  Procurement of Innovation Why would you want to What opportunities are there? procure innovation? Huge potential to drive innovation and enable growth of Need different / better outcomes innovative businesses while increasing efficacy and Increase efficiency / efficacy efficiency of public services Increase Public Sector Productivity CST recommended 5% p/a (£20Bn) procurement budget Increase the widespread adoption and diffusion spent on R&D - Innovate UK budget £1Bn p/a of innovation Stimulate private sector innovation Public Procurement of Innovation and Pre-commercial Procurement Public Procurement of Innovation - PPI Public procurement of innovative solutions (PPI) happens when the public sector uses its purchasing power to act as early adopter of innovative solutions which are not yet available on large scale commercial basis. Pre-Commercial Procurement - PCP (in the UK this is Contracts for Innovation) Consists of a procurement of research and development (R&D) services that involves risk- benefit sharing at market conditions and in which a number of companies develop in competition new solutions for mid- to long-term public-sector needs. The needs are so technologically demanding and in advance of what the market can offer that either no commercially stable solution exists yet, or existing solutions exhibit shortcomings which require new R&D. (European Commission) Contracts for Innovation from 2008 - today Spend through Contracts for Innovation - £1.7Bn Originally designed by the EC, IUK provide expert support and delivery as appropriate Independent evaluation published 2022 which confirmed benefits, highlighted areas for improvement and advocated for wider use  Pre-commercial procurement (doesn’t exist currently) When might Outcome-driven solutions (any size or scale of challenge) Contracts for Innovation be Requires a lead customer (public sector challenge owner) used? Well-defined challenges and outcomes (TRL 2-8) Consideration and ‘buy-in’ from the wider system Contracts for Innovation Key Features Contracts ▪ 100% funded R&D (procurement contract for R&D Services) ▪ Payments made on completion of milestones ▪ Costs quoted must reflect actual costs and not include profit ▪ Contract with a single organisation - who may choose to sub-contract but remains accountable IP rests with Supplier ▪ Certain usage rights for the Public Sector (licenses etc) Eligibility ▪ Can be used to adapt technology or processes from other sectors as long activity is atleast 50% r&d ▪ Open to all organisations. There is no limit on the size or type of company. ▪ All organisations must demonstrate a route to market The Process The below is an example only. Contracts for Innovation can be applied anywhere from TRL 2-8 and can start/conclude anywhere along the process. For example, if grant investments already have already surpassed feasibility studies, a Contracts for Innovation challenge could start at prototype development. Links Competition news Follow us on LinkedIn or X Subscribe to our mailing list IUK Business Connect Opportunities page General information Innovate UK Business Connect webpage UKRI Contracts for Innovation webpage …or come speak to one of the team! [email protected]  Background 1 Making every pound count This is a Contracts for Innovation competition funded by The Department for Education (DfE). This competition runs alongside a joint DSIT-DfE project to create a library of educational content and code optimised for use with large language models (Education Content Store). The press release provides further context around this work. Teachers spend a significant amount of time marking, representing a significant proportion of teacher workloads. Evidence shows that individualised instructions and high-quality feedback, can significantly boost pupil progress. We believe that high quality AI tools have the potential to reduce the amount of time that teachers spend marking, whilst supporting effective feedback and tailored teaching which drive pupil progress. The aim of this competition is to develop tools which use generative AI to support teachers with assessing progress and providing feedback, known as formative assessment. Successful applicants will have access to the library of quality assured educational content and code optimised for use with large language models via the Education Content Store. 13 Scope: 1 Making every pound count 1. Develop a formative assessment feedback tool which is based on generative AI or large language model capability. 2. Develop a tool which is aligned with the relevant standards such as the Early Years Foundation Stage or National Curriculum in England if KS1-4 or 16-19 study programmes or T-Levels. 3. Develop a tool based on a quality assured library of educational content and code optimised for use with large language models. 4. Develop a tool which supports teachers with assessing learning and/or providing feedback to students. 5. Ensure that tools developed are safe, and compliant with relevant equality data protection and IP law. 6. Agree that any products developed will participate in any future DfE pilot approaches to monitoring AI safety in education. 7. Agree that any products developed will participate in any future DfE pilot approaches to monitoring AI safety in education. 14  Key points 1 Making every pound count Please note that clarification questions relating to the scope of requirements or specification will be managed by DfE. Any emails directed to UKRI will be directed to DfE for response. You can contact DfE directly via email to [email protected]. DfE will collate all questions and publish them in a log on a regular basis. This log will be available via contracts finder. Clarification questions will be accepted until 9am on the 30th September. Final responses will be published by close of business on 2nd October. You can find more information and the link to contracts finder in the Supporting information section of the competition brief in Further help and guidance. By submitting your application, you agree that any products developed will participate in any future DfE pilot approaches to monitoring AI safety in education. Participating organisations must be a single legal entity. A total of £994,000 of funding is available. Projects can range from £50,000 to £200,000. The Faculty Technical Report provides an example of how optimised content and code can support: AI functionality aligned with the National Curriculum in England good teaching and learning practice 15  Key Points - Application Questions 1 Making every pound count You must complete and submit the applicant declaration form. Your application will not be considered if you do not complete the application. In Q1,2 &3 you must identify which education stage and subject your tool will support. Please indicate N/A in Q2 or Q3 as appropriate. We reserve the right to adopt a portfolio approach. This means if two applications produce tools which address similar or identical areas of focus e.g. KS4 Maths, we reserve the right to only award the highest scoring of the two and then proceed to the next highest scoring candidate. Please note that each questions has a different weighting adding up to 100%. The questions have the following weightings: o What is the potential for your tool to deliver positive outcomes? – 20% o Technical Quality and feasibility – 15% o What is unique about your innovation – 10% o How would you manage delivery of your project – 15% o Does your project provide good value for money – 20% o What is the commercial potential of your project – 10% o What is the social value of your project – 5% o What is the added environmental value of your project – 5% 16  Key Points - Application Questions 1 Making every pound count There are 2 scored social value questions in the application weighted at 5% each. This aims for additional value in the delivery of the contract where a wider public benefit can be created extending beyond the value of the contract itself: Question 13 What is the social value of your project? - Describe how your organisation will influence its staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract to tackle workforce inequality or create new businesses, new jobs, and new skills? Question 14 What is the added environmental value of your project//. - Describe how your organisation will ensure that opportunities under the contract deliver additional environmental benefits and include working towards net zero. → These are questions designed to draw value. We are looking for answers that are proportionate to the size of the organisation and the contract. Please review the question guidance and evaluation criteria provided. 17 Key Points - Assessment of Applications 1 Making every pound count DfE will manage the evaluation of applications and awarding of contracts. Applications will be independently assessed by DfE evaluators. Then, in a session facilitated by commercial colleagues, evaluators will meet to discuss question responses. The discussion will continue until a consensus regarding the score for each question, and the reason for that score is reached. Scores will be awarded based on the content of your application, the response guidance, evaluation criteria and their skills/expertise relevant to your project. Please review the evaluation criteria! The method of evaluation which will be used to give your application a final score will be a 'price per quality point' (PQP) evaluation. This will be worked out as follows: o Your marked questions will receive a score based on individual question evaluation criteria. Please note that each questions has a different weighting adding up to 100%. o DfE will then take your score (out of 100%) and divide it by the price you have submitted for your project o This will generate an overall final PQP score which will be used to determine which applications will receive funding In the event of a tie, the score on Q7 will be used to break the tie, then if necessary, questions Q8. 18 Timeline Making every pound count 1 9th September – Competition open for applications on Innovate UK website 9th October – Competition closes 30th October – Clarification question period ends 14th-25th October – Applications assessment and moderation 28th October 2024 – Applicants notified 11th November 2024 – Contracts to begin 31st March 2025 – Contracts to end Please note that dates after the competition closes may be subject to change. 19 Additional Information / References 1 Making every pound count Competition overview - Contracts for Innovation: AI tools for education - Innovation Funding Service (apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk) 20 Eligibility criteria Eligibility criteria start by 11 November 2024 end by 31 March 2025 last up to 5 months Project eligibility have costs of between £50,000 and £200,000, inclusive of VAT You must not start your project until your Contract has been approved by Department for Education (DfE). Project costs Up to £200,000 inclusive of VAT for each project Project length Up to 5 months  Types of organisations we fund ▪ Business – Small or Micro, Medium or Large registered in the UK, European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) ▪ Research Organisation (RO): ▪ Universities (HEIs) ▪ Not for profit distributing Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) including Catapults ▪ Public Sector Research Establishments (PSRE) ▪ Research Council Institutes (RCI) ▪ Public sector organisations and charities doing research activity of any size ▪ The lead applicant can use subcontractors from any type of organisation where needed. If you are 100% owned by a large parent company as a small subsidiary this means you are classed as a large company. For more information on company sizes, please refer to the company accounts guidance. Key Dates Timeline Dates Competition Opens 09 September 2024 Briefing Event 09 September 2024 Submission Deadline 09 October 2024, 11:00 Applicants informed 28 October 2024 Contracts signed and returned no later than 07 November 2024 Innovation Funding Service (IFS) Search for a funding competition and review criteria Lead Applicant: create an account The lead applicant must create an account: UK registered businesses Use Companies House lookup as it speeds up our checks by providing your company number. You are unable to enter this at a later date. Research organisations, academics and universities Enter your information manually so you are not listed as a business on IFS and ensure you receive the correct funding. Project Details - Application details- Give your project’s title, start date and duration. - Who made you aware of the competition? - Select a category to state who made you aware of the competition. You cannot choose more than one. - How long has your organisation been established for? -Select a category to state how long your organisation has been established for. You cannot choose more than one. - What is your organisation’s primary area focus? - Select a category to state your organisation’s primary focus area. You cannot choose more than one. - Project and scope summary - Please provide a short summary of your project. - Public description - Please provide a brief description of your project. If your application is successful, we will publish this description. This can happen before you start your project. This question is mandatory, but we will not assess this content as part of your application. - Applicant location - You must state the name of your organisation along with your full registered address. - Application Questions Detailed guidance available on IFS Application Form Appendix? Identify which key stage your project will support (not Question 1 No scored) Identify which Early Years subject your project will support Question 2 No if applicable (not scored) Identify which Key Stage or 16-19 education subject your Question 3 No project will focus on if applicable (not scored) Question 4 Animal testing (not scored) No Question 5 Permits and licences (not scored) No Question 6 DfE Applicant Declaration (not scored) Yes – mandatory What is the potential for your tool to deliver positive Question 7 Yes - optional outcomes? Question 8 Technical quality and feasibility No Question 9 What is unique about your innovation? No Question 10 How would you manage delivery of your project Yes – mandatory Question 11 Does your project provide good value for money? Yes Question 12 What is the commercial potential of your project? No Question 13 What is the social value of your project? No Question 14 What is the added environmental value of your project? No Application finances  Labour Eligible: ▪ Gross salary ▪ National insurance ▪ Company pension contribution ▪ Other non-discretionary package costs Ineligible: ▪ Discretionary bonuses ▪ Performance related payments of any kind ▪ Sick days ▪ Waiting time ▪ Training days ▪ Non-productive time Overheads Innovate UK’s definition Additional costs and operational expenses incurred directly as a result of the project. These could include additional costs for administrative staff, general IT, rent and utilities Indirect (administration) overheads Please ensure they are additional and directly attributable to the delivery of the project Direct overheads ▪ e.g. office utilities, IT infrastructure, laptop provision not covered by capital usage ▪ must be directly attributable to the project ▪ provide detailed breakdown together with methodology/basis of apportionment Material costs Please be clear on what the materials are, just putting consumables does not provide enough detail. If insufficient information is provided, we will request more information should you be successful which may delay your project start date. Capital equipment usage Eligible: Used in the project or shared with day-to-day production. Calculations will need to be in line with your accounting practices. Even if the equipment is depreciated fully over the life of the project this must be added under capital equipment. Subcontractors Eligible: Subcontracting outside of the UK is permitted, you should fully explain the specific skills the subcontractor brings to the project. If you’re subcontracting to a parent or sister company, please ensure you list at cost and do not include profit. All costs must be justified and quantified. Travel and subsistence Eligible: Costs must be directly linked to the project. Please breakdown your costs as follows: ▪ Travel ▪ Accommodation ▪ Subsistence If you have an annual trip to visit the parent company this is not an eligible cost. Other costs Costs that could not be added under previous headings Do not double count All costs will be reviewed by the finance team during contract award VAT Once you have completed your costs you will be asked to confirm if you’re VAT registered. If you select ‘yes’ IFS will automatically add on VAT calculated at 20%. If you are a VAT registered organisation you will not need to enter your project costs inclusive of VAT as the application form will calculate the VAT for you. If you are not VAT registered then you can quote without VAT, but you will not be able to increase invoice values to cover VAT later on Make sure not to double count this as it may increase your project costs over the limit Project cost summary Ensure the highlighted costs fits the criteria for this competition. The maximum project costs for this competition are XXXX The lead organisation can see a summary of project costs calculated inclusive of VAT (if VAT registered) Your organisation Once you have completed your costs you will be asked to select your organisation size, enter your turnover from the last financial year and number of full time employees at your organisation Payment milestones Enter each milestone and any associated payments Once all milestones have been entered, mark the section as complete  Information to include in your milestone template ▪ Details of work packages with clear description of the activities taking place in each milestone. ▪ Clear and distinct deliverable(s) from each milestone that you’ll be able to evidence to confirm you’ve completed the milestone in full. ▪ Success criteria for each milestone, noting that it must be clearly relatable to the work packages, deliverable(s) and must be measurable within reason ▪ Costs for each milestone – check that the total costs on the milestones match the total project costs page within the finance section ▪ Do not cluster your milestones together, even if they occur in the same period. We need separate deliverables and costs for each milestone. Milestone example Milestone Build test environment for prototype Task or activity Complete physical hardware build Software integration finalised Deliverable Prototype test environment built in accordance with associated designs Operating instruction manual completed Success Criteria Fully operational test environment. Successful integration of prototype and test environment software. 0.5% error rate  Terms and Conditions Before you can submit your application you must agree to the draft terms and conditions for this procurement competition. They may differ from any you have agreed to before. These terms are set and are non-negotiable Submitting your application Submit your application early! Customer Support can help resolve any issues you might have when submitting but only if they are contacted before the deadline. Once the deadline has passed, your application cannot be submitted. Editing a submitted application Reopen by clicking here Remember to press ‘Submit application’ Assessment How is your application being assessed? ▪ Your responses to the marked questions will be independently assessed by DfE evaluators based on the content of your application, the response guidance, evaluation criteria and their skills or expertise relevant to your project. They will give a score and a reason for their score for each question they are assessing. Please note that you should not rely on the information in one section to be available to the marker of another section unless it is stated in the response guidance. ▪ Cross referencing is not permitted to responses to any other questions within the submission. Any cross referencing to other questions within the submission will not be evaluated. ▪ Once the evaluators have independently assessed your answers to the questions, we will arrange for the evaluators to meet. DfE commercial colleagues will facilitate the discussion. At this meeting, the evaluators will discuss the technical responses and review their scores and reasons for that score. The discussion will continue until they reach a consensus regarding the score, and reason for that score, for each question. ▪ The method of evaluation which will be used to give your application a final score will be a 'price per quality point' (PQP) evaluation. This will be worked out as follows: 1) Your marked questions will receive a score based on individual question evaluation criteria. Please note that each question has a different weighting adding up to 100%. 2) DfE will then take your score (out of 100%) and divide it by the price you have submitted for your project 3) This will generate an overall final PQP score which will be used to determine which applications will receive funding In the event of a tie, the score on question 6 will be used to break the tie, then if necessary question 7. Q&A Contact Customer Support Services 0300 321 4357 (Monday - Friday 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm) [email protected] Innovate UK Innovate UK Innovate UK Business ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk Business Connect Growth iuk.ktn-uk.org innovateukedge.ukri.org Thank You @InnovateUK Innovate UK Innovate UK @weareinnovateuk