The SME Instrument is the new instrument set by the European Commission (EC) specifically dedicated to Innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Through this new tool, the EC offers a 2 Phases grant covering different stages of the innovation cycle fast and simple grants for: 1) Phase 1 for covering business innovation feasibility studies with a flat-rate funding of 50.000 €; 2) Phase 2 for covering R&I activities with a particular focus on demonstration activities with a grants up to 2,500,000 €.

In June 2014, 2662 proposals were submitted, 317 of the proposals met the evaluation standard. Of those, 155 have been selected for funding. One of the projects selected for funding is SO2SAFE in the topic BIOTEC-5a-2014-1 SME boosting biotechnology-based industrial processes driving competitiviness and sustainability.

Overall objective of the SO2SAFE Project is to develop a new miniaturized ready to use biosensor based on disposable screen printed electrodes (SPE) which will allow a highly sensitive, selective, fast, low-cost and user friendly method for determination of sulphites in crustaceans, since this is a type of food where the sulphite is commonly used. The novel solution will have a direct impact not only in the food industry economy, but also in the society due to the direct impact the sulphite has in health. Biosensors are important biotechnological base alternative tools in the food industry to ensure the quality and safety of products and process controls with effective, fast and economical methods. 

This Project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and Innovation programme under grant agrement Nº 651556