Our Aims for this Session
• Learn how to identify potential Public Research Organisations (PROs) to collaborate with
• Offer guidelines on selecting PROs to work with• Provide you with good practice guidelines for collaboration
activities• Outline the range of EU and National funding available, so that
you can initially assess their suitability; and provide contact details for you to explore the option more fully
In a Nutshell
Identifying Good Partners
Exercise
• For one of the Businesses or projects in the class, in groups, come up with ten ways to identify potential HEI partners for this business/project (5 mins.)
Sources
• The internet!• Your Own Communication Channels: website, newsletters • University Research Portal sites eg http://eprints.ulster.ac.uk/• University Technology Offer sites eg http://openulster.com/• Scientific/Academic Publications• Patents• Scientific Conferences• Seminars and other form of direct interaction• Projects within the EU Framework Programme• Intermediaries - local• Intermediaries - EU• Internal Company Contacts – your staff!• Professional Social Networks eg Linkedin
So what makes a “good” partnership??
What makes a good partnership?
Research Shows
Good outcomes are a result of demonstrated commitment
Our Advice
Our Advice
• Start small (especially for first time SMEs)• Recognise the differing motivations• Avail of Funding• Treat collaboration strategically• Align interests• Organize for lasting relationships• Provide the right professional skills• Establish clear intent• Use standard practices (next session) and communicate regularly• Achieve effective management of intellectual property• Provide relevant training
Small Scale Collaborations - In a Nutshell
Preparation
• Meeting of University Professor & Senior Management
• Objectives of project collaboratively defined• Discreet and not complex• Define the project tasks• Agree intermediate Milestones• Aim is to solve the company’s organisational or
technical problem
Some Case Studies
http://oi.ulster.ac.uk/information-for-business/support-for-business/innovation-vouchers/case-studies
More Video Case study
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pudH0Ut38I&feature=player_embedded
The University perspective (Waterford IT)
Shasta Baby Products – Innovation Voucher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ape1boxZWAY
Large Scale Collaboration
Guiding principles
Publish without delay
Competent use of available knowledge
Prioritise training new Graduates
Effective steps to secure commercialisation
How to achieve Positive Outcomes
overcoming common difficulties such as diverging cultures, volatile relationshipsaddress human tendency to “keep things close to the chest.”understand and respect what is important to others as well as to themselves
Keys to Success
• Eliminate problems early,• Negotiate IP management, • Agree ownership of results, • Decide on exclusivity of use,• Provide for equitable
compensation,• Ensure fair returns in the event of
successful commercialisation
Collaborative Research Agreement
What is a Collaborative Research Agreement??
In groups, outline what you think might/should be included in a CRA
• What will be key considerations for an SME?
• What will be key considerations for a HEI
What’s included in a CRA
• Definitions, identification of parties, objectives and partner selection
• Confidential information• Scope• Resources• Funding and pricing• Governance and coordination• Reporting
Identifying Funding
7th Framework Programme&
National Sources
What is the 7th Framework Programme
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html
7th Framework
The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) bundles all research-related EU initiatives together under a common roof playing a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment; along with a new Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), Education and Training programmes, and Structural and Cohesion Funds for regional convergence and competitiveness. It is also a key pillar for the European Research Area (ERA).
The broad objectives of FP7 have been grouped into four categories: Cooperation, Ideas, Peopleand Capacities. For each type of objective, there is a specific programme corresponding to the main areas of EU research policy. All specific programmes work together to promote and encourage the creation of European poles of (scientific) excellence.
Local Sources of Funding - NI
• Invest NI• Knowledge Transfer Programme• Innovation Vouchers• Intertrade Ireland
Invest NI support for Innovation Collaboration
Technical Advisory Unit (TAU)
Technical Development Incentive (TDI) Scheme
Innovation Vouchers
TAU - What do they do?
Guidance & support on a wide range of technical issues: •Technical information and problem solving •Advice and information on technical and legislative issues •Intellectual Property advice •Management Systems (quality, environmental, safety etc) •Technical Compliance Issues eg CE Marking
Financial support: •Technical Development Incentive (TDI) Scheme •Innovation Vouchers
Technical Development Incentive
Financial support to SMEs to address technical and quality related issues such as: •New technologies or processes •Product & process problem resolution •Product approval/ type testing •Intellectual Property •Improved product design & performance •Quality/Integrated management systems
•Max grant of £5,000 (at up to 50% of project costs) •Projects costing between £500 and £15,000 • Further information – Kieran McGuinness 028 9069 8818
Innovation Vouchers
£4000 voucher to encourage small registered enterprises to engage with a Knowledge Provider to develop an innovative solution to a business issue
Companies can apply for up to 3 vouchers for different projects but may only have 1 ‘live’ voucher at a time
Pooled voucher option for collaborative projects (up to 10 companies)
Around 700 vouchers issued to date
Knowledge Providers
41 Knowledge Providers throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Universities, Colleges, Institutes of Technology and other research bodies
More information at www.innovationvouchers.com
The company chooses which Knowledge Provider to use
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is Europe’s leading programme helping businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base.
KTP
KTP Features
• Project length 12-36 months
• At least 1 Graduate (KTP Associate)
• Associates recruited jointly and employed by the University
• Project located on company premises with joint company and academic supervisor
• Academic Supervisor spends ~ ½ day per week on the project
• Funded by Government grant and the company partner
KTP Costs - 1 Associate for 1 Year
+ Graduate salary available (company decides) £27k + Associate Development circa £6k + Travel and Subsistence + Equipment and Consumables + University Expertise circa £10k Total package circa £43k• Cost to SME per year ~£17k • Cost to Large Company ~£26k
KTP
KTP
Intertrade Ireland Fusion
Similar to a KTP BUT on a Cross Border basis
FUSION, support packages worth up to £29,500/€33,150 are available for you to undertake a 12 month innovation project.
Partnered with a third-level institution with the specialist expertise you need and a high calibre science, engineering or technology graduate.
A graduate is employed by you and is based in your company throughout the project with mentoring from the academic partner and InterTradeIreland FUSION consultant.
Questions?