Knowledge Transfer Opportunities
There are various ways that organisations can access funding that provides them access to competitive solutions. These opportunities, combined with the Innovation and Research Office's flexible and pragmatic approach to intellectual property agreements, means that the University is a practical source for near-to-market applications.
The University is continually developing its IP portfolio see Research Expertise to view the areas that we currently have interest in. If these opportunities aren't in your area of interest please contact the IRO so that we can match your needs with our pool of expertise.
Various government-based initiatives have emerged to encourage interaction between Universities and Industry. There are shared benefits for all who interact, Academics have funds for their research and companies benefit commercially from the outcomes of the research.
Below is a selection of the opportunities that exist, feel free to contact a member of the IRO staff to discuss the suitability of these schemes:
Funding Opportunities
Funding Sources through Universities
EDTC Feasibility Award of the ED Technology Support Centre aims to kick-start a relationship between small companies and University groups that have not previously collaborated. Funding is a fixed sum of £5,000 with applications being made by partnerships of an SME together with a University. Normally the application will be submitted by the company.
Research Councils
Industrial CASE are three and a half year postgraduate awards allocated to companies, Knowledge Transfer Networks and Regional Development Agencies. Their aim is to enable companies to take the lead in defining, and arranging, projects with an academic partner of their choice. The company provides a substantial financial contribution to the project and the student must spend at least 3 months, during the period of the award, at their premises.
Scottish Wide Funding Mechanisms
R & D Plus is a Scottish Executive grant, which is open to all large companies located within Scotland or planning to establish a research and development presence in Scotland , with the aim of encouraging research and development investment and job creation. Generally provides up to 25% of eligible costs, which are directly attributable to the project.
Smart: Scotland is designed to support small businesses to improve their competitiveness by developing new, original and commercially viable products or processes to the benefit of the national economy. Individuals planning to start a new business may apply for a grant in an open competition. Small independent firms and groups with less than 50 employees are also eligible.
Successful applicants receive funding of 75% of the cost of carrying out a technical and commercial feasibility study lasting between 6 and 18 months. The maximum award is £50,000.
Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is a national grant aimed at encouraging investment and job creation in the areas of Scotland designated for regional aid under European Community law. Scottish-owned or owned or headquartered outside Scotland businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply for RSA. The amount of grant depends on a number of factors, including location, size of project, the number of jobs created or safeguarded, the quality and type of these jobs.
UK Wide
DTI Collaborative R&Daims to promote partnership relations between the industry and research communities to work together on Research & Development projects in science and technology areas, from which successful new products, processes and services can emerge. Collaborative Research & Development projects must involve two or more collaborators, at least one of which is from industry. Financial support provided of up to 50% pf eligible project costs up to a maximum grant of £1m.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are Government funded and enable UK businesses to benefit from the wide range of expertise available in the UK Knowledge Base - public and private sector research institutes and organisations and higher and further education institutions. KTP involves the transfer of University knowledge to a commercial company via a Knowledge Transfer Associate - an individual usually at post-graduate level.
Seekitprogramme is designed to support projects that will promote co-operation in R&D and knowledge transfer between SMEs and the Scottish public sector science base. Applications are invited from public bodies, such as Universities, Research Institutes, Technology Transfer Organisations, NHS Trusts etc.
European Mechanisms
Collective Research is SME-specific scheme with a budget of about €150 million. The R&D performers carry out work for industrial associations and groupings representing SMEs in order to improve the overall competitiveness of large communities of SMEs and SME intensive sectors. Collective research projects typically run from two to three years and cost between €2 and €5 million each.
Specific Targeted Research Projects (STREP)aim at improving European competitiveness and at meeting the needs of society or Community policies. The initiative is focused on projects designed to gain new knowledge, considerably improve existing products, processes and services or prove the viability of new technologies offering potential economic advantages but which cannot be commercialised directly. Consortia must include at least three independent legal entities from three different countries. The partnership may last between 2 and 3 years.
Framework 7 Programme (FP7) is the European Commission's new research and development programme, offering substantial grants to part fund many different types of projects, in all industries and across all market sectors. Share the cost and risk of product, process or service development between partners. EC grant pays up to 50% of R&D costs, 30% demonstration costs and 10% training, dissemination & project management costs.
Other Mechanisms
High Growth Start-up Unit works with companies across Scotland and provides intensive support to pre-start companies to ensure they have the best opportunity to maximise their ambitious growth potential. The Unit support individuals who are starting a business that will achieve a minimum £5 million valuation by the end of its third year of trading; They also can be involved in a project where technology and know-how form the competitive advantage or have the potential to trade globally.
Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) Scotland works with academic and industrial organisations to help identify and acquire innovative new technology, find market entry partners for their own innovations or enter into joint development partnerships across Europe. IRC Scotland forms a part of an extensive network of 72 Innovation Relay Centres spanning 32 countries across the European Union and Eastern Europe and involves almost 250 support organisations. IRC Scotland is the local gateway to this network, which can help Scottish companies source the innovative technologies and partners they need from the best available suppliers.
EDTC Technology Gateway is based within Edinburgh Napier University and provides support to SMEs in relation to product development and using technology in their products. Their support is available throughout the whole of Scotland and they cover all industry sectors.