The programme is the first offering of the HP Labs Open Innovation Office, which was established earlier this year as part of HP Labs' new approach to research. The office is responsible for deepening HP Labs' strategic collaborations with academia, the government and the commercial sector to produce mutually beneficial, high-impact research.

"Collaborating with the brightest minds is essential to making progress in solving the world's most complex technology challenges", stated Prith Banerjee, senior vice president of research at HP and director of HP Labs. "We look forward to reviewing the proposals and investing in projects that drive open innovation and set the agenda for breakthrough research relevant to technology customers."

Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply through June 18, 2008. HP will award selected applicants funding for one year, which will be renewable for a total of three years based on research progress and HP business requirements. Each award will include support for one graduate student researcher, who also will be eligible to apply to the HP Labs internship programme.

"The research landscape is shifting toward a model of increased collaboration between academia and the private sector", stated Beth Burnside, vice provost of research, University of California, Berkeley. "The HP Labs Innovation Research Programme is a great step toward mobilizing the sectors to work together in pursuit of scientific breakthroughs."