BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/London
END:VTIMEZONE
PRODID:-//SETsquared
 //NONSGML Events //EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
X-WR-CALNAME:SETsquared
BEGIN:VEVENT
CREATED:20260828T111707Z
UID:34775
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260915T13:00:00
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260915T12:00:00
DTSTAMP;TZID:Europe/London:12:00:00
DESCRIPTION:<h3><img class=" wp-image-31564 aligncenter" src="https://www.setsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/gw-shift-logo-2a-250x66.jpg" alt="" width="299" height="79" /></h3>
<h3></h3>
<div class="StructuredModuleRenderer-module-scss-module__Qv95HW__structuredContent StructuredModuleRenderer-module-scss-module__Qv95HW__text" data-testid="text-content">
<div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Find out what the GW-SHIFT Challenge Fund is looking for and ask your questions before the 2026 call closes on 12th October.</strong></h3>
<h4></h4>
<h4><strong>About the session</strong></h4>
</div>
The GW-SHIFT Challenge Fund supports short, focused research projects that respond to clearly defined low-carbon hydrogen challenges identified by civic, local authority and public-sector partners across the South West of England and South Wales.

Join Karen Brooks, Deputy Director, GW-SHIFT, for an informal information session to find out more about the fund, the types of research projects GW-SHIFT can support to provide evidence or technologies to support your net zero strategy.
<h4><strong>The session will cover:</strong></h4>
<ul>
 	<li>How academic expertise and partner insight can come together to develop practical, evidence-led responses to civic and local authorities' net zero strategies</li>
 	<li>What the GW-SHIFT Challenge Fund is designed to support</li>
 	<li>The types of challenges and projects that could be a good fit</li>
 	<li>What is needed from the partners of these research-led projects</li>
 	<li>The application process and key dates</li>
</ul>
There will also be plenty of time to ask questions and explore whether your project or challenge could be a good fit for the fund.

The 2026 Challenge Fund offers awards of up to £50,000 for research, with up to £10,000 additional discretionary funding for public engagement, for projects of up to nine months. The call closes on 12 October 2026 at 5 pm.
<h4><strong>Who should attend?</strong></h4>
<ul>
 	<li>Civic, local authority and public-sector organisations with low-carbon hydrogen-related clean energy challenges within the South West and South Wales</li>
 	<li>Academic researchers interested in responding to place-based/civic challenges</li>
 	<li>Industry partners with relevant technical, commercial or delivery expertise who can provide solutions/expertise for the challenges</li>
 	<li>Organisations developing low-carbon hydrogen projects across the South West of England and South Wales</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h4><strong>Agenda</strong></h4>
<div class="Slots-module-scss-module__-FnILG__slotItem">
<ul>
 	<li class="Typography_root__10ijx #585163 Slots-module-scss-module__-FnILG__title Typography_align-match-parent__10ijx"><strong>12:00 - 12:05</strong> - Welcome and introduction</li>
 	<li class="Typography_root__10ijx #585163 Slots-module-scss-module__-FnILG__title Typography_align-match-parent__10ijx"><strong>12:05 - 12:20</strong> - Challenge Fund information session</li>
 	<li class="Typography_root__10ijx #585163 Slots-module-scss-module__-FnILG__title Typography_align-match-parent__10ijx"><strong>12:20 - 12:35</strong> - Hear from Civic partners benefiting from Civic Funding</li>
 	<li class="Typography_root__10ijx #585163 Slots-module-scss-module__-FnILG__title Typography_align-match-parent__10ijx"><strong>12:35 - 13:00</strong> - Open Q&amp;A session</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Meet the speaker</strong></h4>
<strong>Karen Brooks, Deputy Director, GW-SHIFT</strong>

<img class="wp-image-34776 alignleft" src="https://www.setsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Karen-Brooks-Staff-Photo-250x250.png" alt="" width="289" height="289" />

</div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Karen leads regional innovation initiatives connecting academia, industry, and policymakers to accelerate the growth of the hydrogen economy.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With over 30 years of experience in innovation, ecosystem development and marcomms, she has supported over 5,000 companies to secure billions in investment and translate ideas into real-world impact.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Karen is also the host of “The Only Way is Hydrogen?” podcast; she helps build strong networks, shape professional identities, and communicate research in ways that raise visibility and connect audiences.</p>
&nbsp;

<strong>Not sure whether your idea is right for the Challenge Fund? Join us to find out more, understand what GW-SHIFT is looking for and get your questions answered.</strong>

[button url="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/could-the-gw-shift-challenge-fund-support-your-net-zero-strategy-tickets-1999028726734?aff=oddtdtcreator&amp;_gl=1*t830d5*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzEwMzUyNzY3LjE3ODc5MTI1MjU.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3ODc5MTI1MjQkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODc5MTI1MjQkajYwJGwwJGgw" colour="blue"]Register now to secure your place[/button]
SUMMARY:GW-SHIFT information session: could the GW-SHIFT Challenge Fund support your net zero strategy?
ORGANIZER:SETsquared
URL;VALUE=URI:https://www.setsquared.co.uk/event/gw-shift-seminar-series-could-the-gw-shift-challenge-fund-support-your-net-zero-strategy/
TRANSP:OPAQUE
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR