Funding Academic-Business Collaborations

Elwood VogtResearch Strategy & Innovation Office

University of Glasgow

Objectives of KE Funding Programmes

Twin Aims of Innovation and Impact

• UK University’s mission is “to make an impact on the social cultural, and intellectual life, as well as the economic success of the local community, Scotland, and beyond”

• UK University’s aim is “to be recognised for its innovative knowledge transfer development”

• Companies (particularly SMEs) can derive significant benefit from academic expertise

Successful track record from previous KE and economic development initiatives targeted at Scottish SMEs

Industry & University Partnerships Drive Innovation

• Innovation is the introduction of something new or different• When industry and universities collaborate, innovation can be a

‘business changer’• For business, innovation can enable:

– Expansion into new markets or business opportunities– New product development– New or improved process implementation– Delivery of new or enhanced services– Operational and/or financial improvement– Increase in business knowledge

Industry & University Partnerships Create Impact

• Knowledge exchange and impact are increasingly important for UK Universities → Impact is 20% of REF and other funding sources (EPSRC, TSB, ERDF, EU, SE) also prioritise impact

• Benefits include:– Commercial success – business growth, job creation, stimulate economy– Opportunity to influence “real world” problems and challenges– Societal relevance – cultural, life style, health & welfare, policy– Develop new relationships – industrial, public sector, political– Stimulate new research avenues

Aim: Design projects to ensure impact from research outcomes

Encompass Programme

First Step Awards (FSA)

Funded by

Scottish Enterprise

Encompass Programme

• £1.9 M initiative designed to create a coherent support structure that removes barriers to innovation and will grow the number of companies engaging in innovative activities

• 3-year programme which started November 2011• The programme aims to:

– Raise companies awareness of innovation opportunities– Assist companies to identify their own innovation needs– Provide resources and support for companies to address their needs

• Encompass First Step Awards (FSA) fund small projects that can establish viability for larger follow-on funded projects

• Target market: Scottish SME’s

Why Target SME’s?

• In Scotland, SME’s represent 99% of all businesses

Yet, only 6% of SME’s are classified as ‘high growth’• SME’s account for 50% of GDP• SME’s employ 58% of total work force

High growth SME’s are responsible for 50% of new jobs

Encompass Resources

• Collaboration of partners led by University of Glasgow that also includes Universities of Aberdeen, Strathclyde, and Stirling

• Dedicated team of experienced KE Managers are based at Glasgow, Strathclyde, and Aberdeen, who provide advice and assistance to academics and SMEs engaging together

• Marketing budget and staff dedicated for events, web site, and marketing materials

• First Step Awards to support SME/academic engagement• Access to sources of follow-on funding for larger projects

Encompass First Step Awards (FSA)

• Up to £5,000 cash funding for small projects between partner Universities and Scottish SMEs

• £100,000 per year is available from Scottish Enterprise• Build relationships and facilitate collaborative work that can

lead to new commercial opportunities benefiting all of the participants and the Scottish economy

• Feasibility and PofC studies are strongly encouraged• Foreground Intellectual Property (IP) developed is generally

the sole and exclusive property of the company• Best projects deliver outcomes benefiting all parties

Acceptable Uses for FSA Funding

• Buy out an academic’s time to spend on the project• Either through personal consultancy (CPF) or salary recoup

(PAF) at a maximum rate of £500 per day• Students may only be used in exceptional circumstances, but

academic supervisor must commit 10% time as a minimum• Consumables and other costs are allowed up to a maximum

of 20% of project budget

Primary objective of Encompass is to enable Scottish SMEs to gain access to a University academic’s time and expertise

Company Eligibility

• Must be an SME either registered, or with a base, in Scotland• Company is expected to make a contribution to the project of

equivalent value, which can be in-kind• Preferably will be VAT registered, as the University’s invoice of

the company will include VAT, which Scottish Enterprise will not reimburse (company can reclaim from HMRC)

Applications for First Step Awards

1. Identify a suitable partner and define an innovative project

2. Contact a member of the Encompass team in RSIO

3. Complete and submit the University’s Application Form

4. Once the project is pre-approved by Scottish Enterprise, a few more additional forms will be required (nothing onerous):a. Scottish Enterprise (SE) Application Form

b. Award Agreement with the University

c. Signed PAF (Project Approval Form) / CPF (Consultancy Project Form)

5. Applications can be made by either the company or academic and can be submitted at any time – turnaround is quick