Royal Society, Carlton House Terrace, London

Members of the media are invited to the final judging and awards ceremony of the Research Councils' Business Plan Competition. Science Minister, Lord Sainsbury will present a trophy and a cheque for 25,000 to the winning team.

The event begins at 14:30 on Tuesday 24 February 2004 with a brief presentation from each of the competition's five finalists. After comments from the judges, Lord Sainsbury will announce the winner at around 15:45.

Members of the media are also welcome to attend a buffet lunch at 12.30. There will be an opportunity to speak to some of the teams who took part in the competition and view displays of their ideas. If you intend to come for the lunch or attend any part of the event, please let us know using the contact details below.

E-mail jane.reck@epsrc.ac.uk or telephone on 01793-444312 with the following information:

1) Name and organisation

2) Whether you would like to attend:
a) the buffet lunch
b) presentation and prize giving
c) both

3) Also contact Jane Reck if you are unable to attend but would like the results of the competition e-mailed on the day/to arrange an interview with the winner.

Converting research into commercial reality

Novel portable foetal monitors, state of the art photofits for crime detection and virtually enhanced museum displays. These are just a few of the fascinating ideas that have reached the final of the Research Councils' Business Plan Competition.

UK research in science, technology and the arts ranks among the highest in the world. The aim of this competition is to help commercialise some of the best projects so that the whole of UK society can benefit.

The five teams in the final are from the University of Kent at Canterbury; the Univer
'"/>

Contact: Jane Reck
jane.reck@epsrc.ac.uk
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
16-Feb-2004