Category / Funding opportunities

Partnership opportuntity – Seeking Computational Chemistry Expertise

Funding opportunities, Knowledge Exchange

Strategic Allies have a client who would like to collaborate with a partner that can simulate complex reactions and predict the effects of various adjustments and additions on product yield in a thermal/catalytic cracking reaction. If you   have the ability to carry out chemical experiments in silico, please contact : Yvonne Crocker Yvonne@strategicallies.co.uk to discuss this further.

 Yvonne Crocker
Projects Co-ordinator
Strategic Allies Ltd

Tel. + 44 (0)1442 860634
Website  www.strategicallies.co.uk

£500,000 funding – Better interactions between people and machines

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities, Knowledge Transfer

Investment up to £500,000 in feasibility studies in the area of user experience (UX). The aim is to encourage new and improved ways for machines, their computing systems and people to interact.

Innovate UK is to invest up to £500,000 in feasibility studies in the area of user experience (UX). The aim is to encourage new and improved ways for machines, their computing systems and people to interact. Proposals may address technologies that contribute to these new approaches, such as sensing information about the user, or they may address technologies that help with specific types of experience, such as mobile or wearable devices. Projects must be collaborative and business-led. The competition is open only to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with the option to collaborate with one additional SME or research organisation/academic partner. 

Small businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible project costs and medium-sized businesses up to 60%. 

Projects are expected to last between 3 and 12 months and to have total project costs of up to £50,000. 

The feasibility studies are part of a £1.5m Innovate UK programme to stimulate innovations in user experience (UX). This competition runs in parallel with a £1m Knowledge Transfer Partnership competition. For details, visit the competition page.

 This competition opens on 16 February 2015 and the deadline for registration is noon on 25 March 2015. The deadline for applications is noon on 1 April 2015. A briefing day (with webinar option) for potential applicants will be held in London on 18 February 2015.

SW businesses can benefit from £5k of funding from Creative England

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities, Knowledge Exchange

Creative England is offering creative digital businesses in the South West the chance to apply for a third round of Business Strategy and Innovation Vouchers.

The scheme provides companies with £1,000 – £5,000 to subsidise much of the cost of procuring expert third party services in order to aid growth.

Funded by the Creative Industries iNet programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Regional Growth Fund (RGF), the initiative focuses strongly on digital innovation and business strategy.

The Creative England Innovation Programme helps creative companies build and sell innovative products and services more successfully. This work is delivered through structured projects – which include seed investment, mentoring, marketing, and business support, planning and strategy. These projects help companies jump over business barriers to grow more quickly and profitably.

In order to apply to this round, businesses must be based in Bristol, Bath, Dorset, Devon, Wiltshire, Somerset or Gloucestershire, and be able to provide a total equalling 30% of the requested amount in match funding.

The voucher scheme is part of a wider £314k programme of support through the Creative England Innovation Programme.

Applications for the Voucher Scheme close on February 27th, 2015. For more information please read the guidelines below. Companies can apply directly here.

 

Searching for innovative salt replacement and shelf life extension technologies

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities

Strategic Allies are looking  for new solutions for food products in two specific areas:

 Salt substitution using a non-sodium ingredient.

Full (100%) salt substitution using a new innovative ingredient or process in order to achieve the same flavour and sensorial properties, without sodium (e.g. MSG would not be of interest).

​Shelf life extension – improvement and maintenance of the “freshly roasted” texture and flavour.

Any process or technology innovation that maintains the texture and flavour experienced after cooking, for a period of 12 months. ​

The  client is a European manufacturer of snacks and bite-sized foods who is interested in new technologies and solutions to improve the nutritional profile and presentation of their products. The majority of the company’s products are based on roasted, fried and baked snacks.

 You can find further information regarding this search here.

 

 

US Funding Opportunities – videos

Awarded & submitted bids, Funding opportunities, Research assessment, Training

For one month only (expiry: 6th March 2015), we have access to the following ARMA* videos:

ARMA Introduction to US Funding

In this video, Dr Stephen Conway, Senior Assistant Registrar at the University of Oxford, delivers an essential introduction to US funding. Dr Conway covers strategic priorities and the current drivers. He goes on to exemplify a case study from the University of Oxford. Outputs of the project are examined and conclusions are drawn.

ARMA – Applying for US Funding

Speakers: Patricia Hawk – Director of Sponsored Programs, Oregon State University and Vivian Holmes, Director of Sponsored Research Operations, The Broad institute of MIT and Harvard.

Patricia Hawk and Vivian Holmes deliver essential information to support US applications for funding. The process from the initial search, to proposal preparation and specifics such as allowances for salaries, equipment and travel are examined.

ARMA – Managing US Awards

Speakers: Patricia Hawk – Director of Sponsored Programs, Oregon State University and Vivian Holmes, Director of Sponsored Research Operations, The Broad institute of MIT and Harvard.

Patricia and Vivian deliver this essential guide to managing US awards which includes the types of grant, shared responsibilities, management of project costs, performance issues, project reporting, federal payment methods, close-out responsibilities, audit and VAT.

* Associate of Research Managers and Administrators

You can access a short trailer on the ARMA website and an excerpt, giving the top ten tips for US funding opportunities. The latter also discusses why a service such as RKEO is the essential partner in developing and managing your bid, regardless of the funder’s location.

To access these resources, please contact Charmain Lyons (mailto:clyons@bournemouth.ac.uk) and she will send you the code and joining instructions.

 

 

£1 million available to help UK manufacturing firms develop skills to maximise value of innovation

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities, Knowledge Transfer

 

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) has launched a new competition challenging manufacturing firms to maximise the value of innovation.

Manufacturing firms have been invited to bid for a share of £1 million to boost UK innovation. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), launching the ‘Skills for Innovation in Manufacturing’ competition , challenges firms to come up with new ways of developing the skills and business practices needed to maximise the value of innovation to the UK economy.

In recent years, the UK has risen up the Global Innovation Index, moving from 14th in 2010 to second place in 2014. However, a government assessment of the UK’s science and innovation system, undertaken for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in 2014, identified planning, recruiting, training, retention, progression and performance management as weak parts of the system, with worrying deficiencies in basic skills, STEM skills and management. Businesses’ skills, workplace practices, and management are critical to ensuring the value of innovation is maximised.

Paul McKelvie OBE, a Commissioner at the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), which is running the competition, commented:

“It is fantastic that the UK is ranked as a front-runner in terms of innovation, second only globally to Switzerland. However, we need to do more to capitalise on this if we want to reap the economic reward and remain competitive. To do this effectively, we need to explore the ‘human factor’ in innovation. This means understanding how to better manage innovations; both in the way processes work and how any innovation is taken to market. It is the development of these skills that we want businesses to focus on when responding to our invitation.

“This competition is a great opportunity for businesses in the manufacturing sector to come together and come up with ideas and solutions that they want to trial and develop to better maximise the value of innovation. By running this competition, I hope that a range of insights will be drawn from the projects we support to improve future business practice and public policy.”

The UK Futures Programme competition invites employer-led proposals from businesses of all sizes in the manufacturing sector to run initiatives lasting 12 months, that focus specifically on the skills required to manage an innovation process and exploit innovative products or services for commercial value. Proposals must be joint investments with employers investing in cash, in kind or both alongside a maximum government contribution of £150,000 per project.

The competition closes at midday on Wednesday 11 March 2015. For more information or to apply visit the competition page.

Partners sought to help increase the utility of a novel microinfusion pump for programmable infusion of support in vivo drug discovery

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities, Knowledge Transfer

 

Through CRACK IT Solutions, Primetech is seeking partners interested in applying their novel microinfusion pump system (iPRECIO® SMP-200) to research and drug discovery programs to improve the accuracy of their drug delivery approaches and the clinical relevance of the results achieved. For more information or to contact Primetech, visit the website.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2015 L’ORÉAL-UNESCO UK & IRELAND ‘FELLOWSHIPS FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE’

Funding opportunities

Applications for the L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowships For Women In Science will open on 2nd February 2015. Four outstanding female post-doctoral scientists in the UK or Ireland will be granted a fellowship worth £15,000 each. The finalists will be selected by a panel of eminent scientists chaired by Professor Pratibha Gai, including Professor John Pethica FRS andProfessor Anne Glover. Entries can be made at www.womeninscience.co.uk.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowships For Women In Science were launched in 2007 and provide flexible and practical help to female post-doctoral researchers. The winners may choose to spend their fellowship grants in any way that is helpful to them in furthering their research, from buying lab equipment, to hiring an assistant or paying for childcare costs.

Professor Pratibha Gai of the University of York and the 2013 L’Oréal-UNESCO International For Women In Science European Laureate will Chair the 2015 UK and Ireland awards. Prof Gai commented, “I am excited to be chairing this year’s judging panel. I am passionate about giving young women every opportunity to excel in their science research. These highly prestigious awards not only recognise the extraordinary range and quality of research being carried out by female scientists in the UK and Ireland today, but are unique in their flexibility for early career female researchers.”

The 2015 awards will be adjudicated by a panel of eminent scientists. Katriona Methven, Scientific Director at L’Oréal UK & Ireland said: “The For Women in Science programme in the UK and Ireland provides essential support for women at a vital stage in their career. Now in its 17th year internationally, the global initiative promotes women in science as important role models to inspire a new generation of young scientists.”

The closing date for applications to the 2015 L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowships For Women In Science is Friday 13th March 2015. For further information and to apply, please visit: www.womeninscience.co.uk

The programme is run in partnership with the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO, with the support of the Royal Society.

For more information from the funder, please contact:

Katy Gandon/ katy.gandon@loreal.com

0208 762 4136/ 07825 119 568

If you are thinking of applying, please contact your  RKEO Funding Development Officer who will help you through the process.

Latest Funding Opportunities

Funding opportunities

The following funding opportunities have been announced. Please follow this links for more information:

Association for Industrial Archaeology, GB

Nominations are invited for the Archaeological Reports Award. The awards are given to reports which demonstrate the highest standards of fieldwork, recording and contextual research for industrial archaeological projects. The is one award  for the best report produced by a funded project and one for the best report from a project produced by a voluntary group or individual in alternate years. Each award is worth up to £800. Closing date: 01/03/2015

Colt Foundation, GB

The Colt Foundation invites applications for its fellowships in occupational or environmental health. Fellowships are awarded each year to those qualified in science or medicine who are carrying out research within the area of occupational and environmental health at a UK university. The Fellowship is normally for three years and the research is expected to lead to a PhD degree. The stipend rate for the first year is £14000 rising with inflation the following two years. Closing date: 12/10/2015

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, GB

The EPSRC, under the eFuturesXD programme invites applications for its travel award, which will allow researchers from one ICT discipline to spend a short time in a different institute, or for two researchers to spend time in each other’s institutions. Visits are expected to be no longer than a month and exchanges no more than two weeks per visit (1 month in total). Maximum award (100% fEC) is £5000. Closing date: no deadline

The EPSRC, under the eFuturesXD programme invites applications for its facility award. The award is intended for researchers who have a current or recent cross-disciplinary project and require additional resources to take their idea towards commercialisation or require further investment to bridge the gap with follow-on funding. Applications from early stage work are also permitted but evidence of success factors should be included in the application. Maximum award (100% fEC) is £20000. Closing date: no deadline

The EPSRC, under the eFuturesXD programme invites applications for its staff award. The award is primarily aimed at small teams of researchers carrying out larger scoping or “proof of concept” studies, which require dedicated staff (RA’s) to carry out specific tasks (experiments) or an extended visit to a laboratory in order to be immersed in another discipline. Maximum award (100% fEC)  is £60000. Closing date: no deadline

The EPSRC, under the eFuturesXD programme invites applications for its meeting award. Meeting awards are intended to facilitate the building of larger research consortia comprising researchers from a number of departments and institutions across the ICT portfolio. Maximum award limit (100% fEC) is £10000. Closing date: no deadline

Innovate UK, GB

The Next generation predictive policing competition has been launched by South Wales Police and Gwent Police. Its aim is to identify and develop innovative solutions that maximise the effectiveness of resources and enhance the service provided to the communities of Southern Wales. Interested parties must register their interest by 6th March 2015. Organisations will be invited to compete for a share of a total £250000 fund. Closing date: 16/03/2015

 

Please note that some funders specify a time for submission as well as a date. Please confirm this with your  RKEO Funding Development Officer

You can set up your own personalised alerts on Research Professional. If you need help setting these up, just ask your School’s/Faculty’s Funding Development Officer in  RKEO or view the recent blog post here.

If thinking of applying, why not add notification of your interest on Research Professional’s record of the bid so that BU colleagues can see your intention to bid and contact you to collaborate.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Academic Development Scheme, cohort 2!

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Transfer

I am delighted to announce the launch of the second Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Academic Development Scheme (KTPADS).  This scheme is centrally coordinated through the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office and aims to equip academics with the skills and knowledge required to identify and pursue a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).

What is KTP?

A KTP is part-funded by the government and the aim of this scheme is to encourage collaboration on projects between businesses and academics.   KTP is managed by Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board) and provides benefits to all parties involved – this scheme offers a fusion of academic and industry collaboration supported by an associate (graduate).

What is to benefit to me?

KTP is an excellent way of bringing in income and developing knowledge exchange with a clear pathway to impact.

Key benefits of KTP are as follows:

  • Facilitates research impact
  • Increases research funding, including supervision time for the Knowledge Base Supervisor (academic) to the Associate (graduate), this time averages at half a day a week
  • Contributes to the University’s REF submission
  • Improves links with industry partners
  • Applies knowledge to innovative business-critical projects
  • Raises your profile among colleagues/the Institution

What does this scheme involve?

This scheme consists of an initial one-day development course, on Wednesday 1st April 2015, off campus, to provide you with the necessary information to pursue a KTP in your area of research.  The development day consists of information about KTP, engaging with business and writing proposals.  Members will be required to bring KTP ideas to develop.

Members are then supported throughout the year in developing their KTP ideas including support in working with business and bespoke one-to-one sessions with the Innovate UK KTP Adviser.  Additional support includes a travel budget for members to use on potential KTP collaboration visits.

Expected time commitments for this scheme are: one full day for the development course on 1st April 2015, two half-day support networks in 2015, at least three one-to-ones with the KTP Adviser from Innovate UK and unlimited one-to-ones as per your requirements from the KE Adviser (KTP) within the BU Research and Knowledge Exchange Office.

Please note: the expectations of the scheme are for members to collaborate with business and submit a KTP proposal within a year of starting the scheme.

Dates for your diary

Wednesday 1st April – all day development day

Week commencing 6th April – initial one-to-one

Wednesday 10th June – afternoon support network

Week commencing 21st September – mid-point review one-to-one

Wednesday 9th December – afternoon support network

 

What are the KTP funding priorities?

If you’re interested in working on KTP, there are a number of funding priorities for KTP as detailed below:

  • Advanced materials
  • Nanotechnology
  • Biosciences
  • Electronics, photonics and electrical systems
  • Information and communication technologies
  • High value manufacturing
  • Digital technologies
  • Emerging technologies
  • Energy generation and supply
  • Environmental sustainability
  • -Sustainable agriculture and food
  • -Low impact buildings
  • Creative industries
  • High value services
  • Medicines and healthcare
  • -Assisted living
  • -Detection and identification of infectious agents
  • -Stratified medicine
  • Transport
  • -Low carbon vehicles
  • Space

Special funding calls are also regularly released, currently there is a specialized call for agri-food and space respectively, which are due to close in February and also a call for user experience which closes in April.  Further themes are due to be announced throughout the year.

If your research expertise fits into any of these themes, then KTP could be a great knowledge exchange project for you.

How do I apply?

To apply for a place on the scheme, please contact Rachel Clarke to request an application form.  This form will need to be signed by your Line Manager and please note that all applications will be submitted to the respective Deputy Dean of Research for review to ensure applications meet Faculty strategic aims.   Applications open on Monday 9th February and close at 5pm on Friday 27th February.

If you would like to discuss this scheme or receive an application form, please contact Rachel Clarke, Knowledge Exchange Adviser (KTP) on 01202 961347 or clarker@bournemouth.ac.uk

New opportunity from Innovate UK – SME Growth Support!

Funding opportunities, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Transfer

If you’re working with a business to apply for funding from Innovate UK, for example, a KTP, from January 2015, all SMEs will receive the opportunity to access SME growth support.  This support is available for awarded projects from eligible competitions and includes an online diagnostic, coaching and mentoring opportunities and also skills training in areas such as strategic marketing.  Innovate UK will be providing the funding for SMEs to receive this growth support.

Further information on this new growth support opportunity can be found on the Innovate UK government website.

 

KTP success rate is still sky high..!

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Transfer

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) are a fantastic way of making long-lasting relationships with industry, bringing in income and measuring impact, which is quite a feat for a scheme that is 40 years old this year..!

Submission deadlines are every two months and once proposals are reviewed, statistics are released on how well the proposals submitted, fared against the Proposal Approval Group (PAG).

Below is an update documenting the most recent statistics from the Innovate UK PAG in December 2014.

Proposals submitted 86
Proposals supported 77
Of which, number supported without amendments 39
Withdrawn by Adviser prior to consideration 0
Proposals not supported 9
Of which, number that can be revised for resubmission 8
Success rate 90%

These statistics demonstrate the high success rate of KTP proposals that are awarded and also the amount of proposals that were submitted in November.

If you’re working (or want to work) with industry on innovative projects, find out more about how KTP can help you.  Contact Rachel Clarke, Knowledge Exchange Adviser (KTP) on 61347 or email clarker@bournemouth.ac.uk

£5,000 of business funding available – Innovation Vouchers

Funding opportunities

Are you working with business?

Innovation Vouchers are open to all kinds of small businesses.    Businesses  can claim up to £5,000 towards the cost of expert advice if they classify as a start-up, micro or  SME . The funding encourages SMEs and start-ups to seek out fresh knowledge that can help their business to grow and develop. This could include advice on an innovative idea, learning more about using design within the  business or how to make the most of intellectual property.

Business challenge

Innovation Vouchers  have in the past been available only in specific technology areas. Now a business can apply if  they  just meet these simple tests:

• you need specialist help to meet a business challenge

• it’s the first time you have worked with the university (a great first rung on the ladder before a KTP  perhaps?)

You can apply at any time with around 100 vouchers being awarded every 3 months – for 2015 this is April and July. 

For more information, visit the website  Innovation Vouchers .

Innovation Vouchers are funded by Innovate UK. A short guide to  to help make clear what an assessor for Innovate UK competitions is looking for has been produced. All of the Innovate UK funding programmes follow a similar pattern and you should bear in mind that the questions are designed to help rather than trip you up. It is important that you answer the questions asked and cover all aspects the Guidance for Applicants describes.

 

 

 

 

£9m funding open for registration – Integrated transport: local authority solutions

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Transfer

Innovate UK has launched a funding competition for collaborative research & development with up to nine million pounds funding available.

The aim of this competition is to meet user needs by connecting people and/or goods to transport products and services. 

More information & competition registration page.

Briefing Event, 20 January, London

You can attend the competition briefing event,  either online or in person. This event is an excellent opportunity for you to receive first hand information about the competition – its scope, application process, key dates etc. as well as a chance to network. Register for the briefing event or webinar.

 For queries about this competition, please contactsupport@innovateuk.gov.uk

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Information Sessions – 27th and 28th January

Funding opportunities, Training

Emily Cieciura and Paul Lynch, Research Facilitators for EU and International funders, are hosting information sessions for forthcoming Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action calls.

Come along to EB705 on Tuesday 27th January at 10:30 or P335 on Wednesday 28th January at 3:30pm. Both sessions will last approximately one hour including time for questions.

No need to book!