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EPSRC Collaboration Fund23 June 2010
Sam DecombelFinance South East
Collaboration Fund: What is it?
• £2 million grant fund
• Financed by EPSRC, managed by Finance South East
• Grants of up to £100,000 (80% FEC applies)
• 12 month projects (18 months exceptionally)
Eligibility
• Open to academics in UK based organisations eligible to hold Research Council grants
• Proposals should draw substantially on the outputs of research that EPSRC has previously supported through standard research grants
• Must be working with at least one collaborating partner
• Collaborating partner is a UK based organisation that will add value in terms of aiding the commercial exploitation of the innovation
Intellectual Property Rights
The applicant university must own all, or at least a significant proportion of, the background IP that is essential to the
success of the project
Activities supported• Developing a prototype
• Undertaking trials and testing
• Technical development that will offer a competitive edge or improve points of differentiation
• Incorporation of the technology into an existing product, service or process
• Market research
• Assessment of competing technologies
• Product demonstrations to potential customers or evaluation of the technology by potential end users
Activities not supported
• ‘Blue sky’ research• Applied research for companies• Associated Intellectual Property Costs• Purchase of larger equipment and capital
Aims of the Fund
To support the transition of research previously financed by the EPSRC into viable commercial applications
Enhance academic engagement with companies and industry
To facilitate economic, social and environmental impact at the highest level
Aims are achieved through close collaboration of the UK research organisation with a commercial partner throughout the length of the project
Post-award project supportFSE will match every successful applicant with a suitable commercial mentor on a per project basis
•Mentors provide unbiased independent support to help the project team move their proposition to the next stage
•FSE mentors are highly experienced professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds
•½ day support for each month project lasts
Two different methods of mentoring are being trialled for pilot scheme
The Application Process• Call for Proposals
– Call 5 opens 5th July; closes 30th July
– Call 6 opens 8th Nov; closes 3rd Dec
• Submission of Expression of Interest– 3-4 week decision process
• Invite to full application stage– 4 weeks to complete full application
• Investment Panel decisions announced– 3 months to submit signed collaboration agreement
• Formal award made by EPSRC
• Commercial potential of the idea• exploitation prospects/ strategy• Product differentiation/ clear USPs• Significant target market and growth prospects• Evidence of market pull• Barriers to entry
• Technical risk assessment/ project viability
• Added value of collaboration• Commitment from partner; financial , resources and/or time
• Economic, social and environmental impact
• Project outcomes within 12 months from project
completion
What are we looking for?
Collaboration Fund: to date
• 4 Calls for Proposals• 124 Expressions of Interest received• 39 Full Applications invited• 15 awards made
Collaboration Fundhttp://www.financesoutheast.com
Contact:
Sam DecombelFinance South East
07775 [email protected]
