Digital Science’s Catalyst Grant returns with focus on AI-based technology

Up to £25,000 to be won for innovative AI-based ideas to support research

Monday 2nd October 2023

Digital Science has today announced the return of its Catalyst Grant for 2023, with a renewed focus on AI-based solutions and up to £25,000 to be awarded to individuals or startups for innovative technology ideas.

The Digital Science Catalyst Grant is an international initiative to support innovation in new software tools and technologies, to advance research and create meaningful change.

The program supports and invests in early-stage ideas in the novel use of technology, with an award of up to £25,000 for the most promising ideas that aid research and further its impact on society.

Now in its 13th year, the Catalyst Grant will be awarded to innovative individuals or startups, without the need for a complete business or development plan. In that time, Catalyst Grant has been awarded to several innovative startups, a number of which have gone on to become important products and solutions within Digital Science itself.

Supporting innovation and cultivating ideas

Digital Science offered its first Catalyst Grant in 2011, continuing each year until 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. For the first time since the pandemic, Digital Science is again offering its Catalyst Grant, now with a timely AI focus.

“The Catalyst Grant was born of our desire to help early-stage software ideas come to fruition,” says Steve Scott, Director of Portfolio Development at Digital Science.

“One of the great values of our Catalyst Grant is the opportunity to support innovation and to cultivate ideas.

“As a company, Digital Science was founded by researchers and software experts to create better solutions for the research community. We want to see research thrive. Because we come from the community, we want to invest back into it,” Mr Scott says.

The year of generative AI

In 2023, Digital Science is looking to further utilize AI-driven language technologies in line with its mission to support better, open, collaborative and inclusive research.

“There is no doubt that 2023 is the year of generative AI, and Digital Science is a company that for many years has supported the responsible use of AI in our solutions,” Mr Scott says.

“We believe there are opportunities both to augment our existing products and create new ways of supporting the research enterprise. With this in mind, we’re looking for the best and most innovative uses of generative AI to support research.”

Among Digital Science’s areas of interest are novel applications of AI that could make a difference in:

• Streamlining research workflows
• Enhancing discovery, insight and analysis
• Improving accessibility and collaboration
• Increasing reproducibility and trust

Apply for the Digital Science Catalyst Grant

The Digital Science Catalyst Grant is now open for entries. Key details include:

• Visit the Digital Science Catalyst Grant website for full eligibility criteria and how to apply
• Open globally to individuals and startups with early-stage software ideas
• Focus on AI-driven language technologies that advance research
• Questions about the Catalyst Grant to be directed to: catalyst@digital-science.com
• Deadline: Thursday 2 November 2023.

Watch a video about Digital Science’s Catalyst Grant, with Steve Scott, Director of Portfolio Development.

Find out more about Catalyst Grant

About Digital Science

Digital Science is an AI-focused technology company providing innovative solutions to complex challenges faced by researchers, universities, funders, industry and publishers. We work in partnership to advance global research for the benefit of society. Through our brands – Altmetric, Dimensions, Figshare, ReadCube, Symplectic, IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, Overleaf, Writefull, OntoChem, Scismic and metaphacts – we believe when we solve problems together, we drive progress for all. Visit www.digital-science.com and follow @digitalsci on Twitter/X or on LinkedIn.

Media contacts

Simon Linacre, Head of Content, Brand & Press, Digital Science: Mobile: +44 7484 381477, s.linacre@digital-science.com