The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) is offering funding for innovative technology proposals including zero emissions inventions.

Businesses and academic bodies have been invited to apply for the £100 million in funding, which is part of the DTI's technology programme.

The programme aims to ensure that the UK exploits emerging technologies, as well as promoting UK investment in these areas.

Chairman of the UK technology strategy board, Graham Spittle said that there was a "special focus" this year on the challenge of sustainability.

Over £50 million has been earmarked to this aim for the "zero emission challenge", emerging energy technologies and the validation of complex systems.

The DTI is holding five regional information days throughout May in London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Newcastle and Belfast, providing essential additional details to potential applicants.

The competition is open to industry and academia, including universities, other higher educational institutions, their spin-off companies and other research bodies.