Innovation Funding for Businesses

TALK TO US ABOUT funding options

UWS can help you source and secure funds to support your research ideas in partnership. 

There are several sources of funding support industry collaborations with University researchers. We can help you source and apply for the most appropriate one to suit your business and project ideas. To discuss your project, contact the relevant UWS business development manager in each of our subject areas: Health, Society and Sustainability.

Below, we provide overview and links to more detailed information about:

• Innovation Vouchers (funding of up to £20,000 may be available for Scottish businesses to help fund collaborative projects with UWS)
• Innovation Centres (there are eight innovation centres in Scotland to help you access Scotland's world-leading academics to support your business)
• Innovate UK (to help companies grow innovative solutions which will benefit society and the economy).

Innovation vouchers

The Scottish Funding Council offers funding programmes to offset the cost for SMEs of collaborating with Scotland's universities to develop new products, services and processes. 

• Standard Innovation Vouchers: Up to £5,000 to encourage first-time partnerships between a company and a university 
• Student Placement Innovation Vouchers: Up to £5,000 to fund a PhD or Masters student to work in your organisation on a clearly defined project  
• Follow-on Innovation Vouchers: Up to £20,000 of match funding to enable existing partnerships to continue the development of a project 
• Horizon 2020 SME Engagement Scheme: Up to £5,000 to help businesses and academics define an opportunity for applications to the €70 billion Horizon 2020 European Funding programme. 

Innovation Centres 

UWS works in partnership with the Innovation Centres. These are a Scottish government-funded initiative, providing funds for joint projects between businesses and universities. 

Contact business@uws.ac.uk if you are interested in: 

• digital health (diabetes, dementia or cancer) 
• solutions focused on specific subgroups of patients and diseases 

Contact business@uws.ac.uk if you are interested in: 

• biotechnology  
• aquaculture 
• oil and gas industry 
• construction 
• IT and Big Data 
• engineering