Work with UK universities and colleges

The commercial exploitation of new ideas is vital to the survival and prosperity of British businesses. If you can get new products to the market faster than your rivals, you will become more competitive. Academic research can often help businesses develop new ideas or enhance existing ones.

One way that businesses can develop new ideas is to form relationships with universities and other research institutions. Your business can benefit commercially from research into processes and technologies relevant to your activities, while universities and colleges gain new sources of funding, and researchers achieve a better understanding of industry needs.

This guide looks at the different ways you can work with universities or colleges. It also looks at key government-sponsored schemes and funding competitions supporting partnership projects.

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Delivering innovation through collaboration and networking

The Technology Strategy Board provides ways for your business to drive innovation through networking and collaboration. It can help your business through a variety of tools and mechanisms that include the following:

• Knowledge Transfer Networks – networks in specific fields of technology or business application which bring businesses, research facilities, universities, technology and finance organisations together to encourage innovation through knowledge exchange. Read the page in this guide on Knowledge Transfer Networks.
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships – businesses can learn new skills or develop technologies by working with a research or technology organisation. Read the page in this guide on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
• Collaborative research and development – brings businesses together with each other and with research organisations to work in specific fields to develop new products, services and processes. Read the page in this guide on collaborative research and development.
• Micro and nanotechnology centres – built on existing business or university knowledge, these facilities address application areas where micro and nanotechnologies are considered vital to future UK industry. Read the page in this guide on research councils and government help.
• International programmes – international business opportunities are more important than ever before. Worldwide trends and technology developments also play a role in the competitiveness of UK businesses. The Technology Strategy Board provides UK business support – in Eurostars and EUREKA – assistance with getting Framework Programme funding and guidance for European Union activities.

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Research councils and government help

There are seven research councils in the UK. Their role is to fund academic research and training in areas of importance to business, the public sector and government. They aim to help make the UK more competitive, create more effective public services and policy, and to improve quality of life.

Each research council has its own procedure for awarding research and development (R&D) grants. While most funding supports specific research projects based in universities, research councils also aim to promote knowledge transfer between businesses and universities and to turn academic or business ideas into commercial processes and products.

The research councils which may be able to help your business are:

• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council- Opens in a new window
• Economic and Social Research Council- Opens in a new window
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council- Opens in a new window
• Medical Research Council- Opens in a new window
• Natural Environment Research Council- Opens in a new window
• Science and Technologies Facilities Council- Opens in a new window
• Arts and Humanities Research Council- Opens in a new window

The Technology Strategy Board also has a leading role in promoting knowledge transfer to increase technology-led innovation, through a number of national schemes. See the pages in this guide on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Knowledge Transfer Networks. Also, see our guide on the Technology Strategy Board.

If you run a business in Northern Ireland, you can find information on R&D support on the Invest NI website- Opens in a new window.

The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI)

SBRI provides funding for innovative products that could help address a specific problem a government department or public sector organisation wants to solve.

Successful applicants receive a development contract for the full cost of demonstrating the feasibility of their technology and the opportunity for subsequent funding for prototype development, whilst retaining the intellectual property.

See the page on the Small Business Research Initiative in our guide on support networks and facilities for innovation and R&D.

Microtechnology and nanotechnology centres

The Technology Strategy Board part funds a network of facilities that provide a broad range of services in micro and nanotechnologies.

Read information about micro and nanotechnology facilities on the Technology Strategy Board website- Opens in a new window.

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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) scheme operates throughout the UK and aims to:

• help businesses gain knowledge and expertise from universities, colleges or research/technology organisations
• help businesses use knowledge, technology or skills to become more competitive through innovative projects
• make research organisations’ work more relevant to businesses
• enhance the career prospects of graduates taking part in the scheme

The KTP process allows you to:

• identify an area where you need to make a strategic change to your business activities
• find a higher education institution, further education college or research organisation with the right expertise
• agree a project of between one and three years, during which time a recently qualified person is recruited to work in your business on the project

Who can take part?

Businesses of all sizes in most industries and commercial sectors can take part, though some limitations apply. To find out if your business is eligible, read about the KTP scheme on the KTP website- Opens in a new window.

How to apply

Start your search for a potential partner – find a KTP adviser or locate your nearest office on the KTP website- Opens in a new window.

Once you have found a KTP adviser, they will help you identify a partner organisation. You and your partner organisation will then complete a grant application and a partnership proposal form together.

The KTP scheme is led by the Technology Strategy Board, an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, and funded by 15 government organisations. All applications must get final approval from the Technology Strategy Board before proceeding.

Shorter KTPs

A new shorter KTP of ten to 40 weeks was introduced in 2009. The shorter KTP is designed to be flexible and can act as a stepping-stone for those businesses that may not have worked with higher or further education institutions before.

Find contact details for the KTP Programme Office on the KTP website- Opens in a new window.

Read KTP information on the Technology Strategy Board website- Opens in a new window.

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Knowledge Transfer Networks

Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) are national networks set up for specific areas of technology or business. They bring people together from various organisations, businesses and universities to promote innovation in research and development (R&D) and knowledge sharing. They also offer invaluable opportunities to make contacts and exchange information with organisations in completely different sectors where ideas can be reapplied. There are 15 KTNs covering a wide range of technology areas. See our guide on the Technology Strategy Board.

KTNs are hosted on a powerful collaboration platform known as ‘_connect’. Networking, the exchange of ideas and research collaboration all take place within _connect.

Through _connect, KTNs offer business advantages that include:

• advice and information on funding opportunities through the Technology Strategy Board, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Framework Programme 7, EUREKA or venture capital
• networking opportunities with other businesses and academics through events, meetings and special interest groups
• free access to online reports, newsletters, events diaries, and tools such as webinars, e-training, e-conferencing and collaboration tools
• the opportunity to influence regulations and policies in the UK and the European Union

Find out about joining _connect on the Technology Strategy Board website- Opens in a new window.

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University Innovation Centres

University Innovation Centres (UICs) are intended to provide a model for effective co-operation between businesses and higher education establishments. They were set up in five regions to focus on existing strengths in skills, innovation and enterprise.

UICs’ aims include:

• improving knowledge transfer between industry and higher education institutes
• encouraging small businesses to participate in the generation and exploitation of knowledge
• stimulating private sector research and development (R&D)
• being at the heart of regional cluster development
• helping universities to play a central role as catalysts of growth

Each UIC focuses on a sector of strategic importance to the region it’s based in and is open to both industrial and academic users.

North East UIC – nanotechnology and microsystems

There are five universities in the North East working with industrial partners through the UIC to stimulate the growth of new industrial clusters. The UIC is also a key part of the Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology, Micro and Photonic Systems.

North East Finance is an early stage venture finance company, set up to maximise the benefits of the UIC, along with wider entrepreneurial activity in the North East, through proof of concept and co-investment funds. You can find out about North East Finance on the North East Finance website- Opens in a new window.

North West UIC – organic materials

The North West UIC – the Organic Materials Innovation Centre (OMIC) – is led by the North West Chemical Initiative and the University of Manchester, with collaboration from the University of Liverpool.

OMIC aims to establish a world class centre to co-ordinate, develop and exploit the North West’s existing strength in organic materials and polymer chemistry. University research focuses on the region’s chemical industry, helping to establish new product lines and foster innovation in existing firms, and creating new start-ups.

You can find out about the work and services of the OMIC on the OMIC website- Opens in a new window.

South West UIC – communications, computing and content technologies

The Greater Bristol area has one of Europe’s largest concentrations of high technology industry, including computers, communications, digital media, and e-commerce. The South West UIC at the University of Bristol aims to unite the key industrial and academic research already taking place in the region. The university also provides incubation space, entrepreneurship support and technical facilities for businesses emerging from the centre.

Read information on collaborative research in the South West on the 3C Research website- Opens in a new window.

West Midlands UIC – business to business (B2B) e-commerce

Warwick Manufacturing Group established the National B2B Centre, which includes demonstration, incubation and R&D facilities. The centre has been designed so that small to medium-sized enterprises can explore, create and test drive e-business solutions for their business needs where this would not be cost effective to carry out in a ‘live’ business environment.

You can read about the work and services of the National B2B Centre on the National B2B Centre website- Opens in a new window.

Yorkshire UIC – aerospace manufacturing

The University of Sheffield works with Boeing, Hamble and Technicut, and other research organisations and businesses from the aerospace components supply chain. The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre provides a flexible and integrated R&D facility focusing on advanced machining technologies and improving manufacturing methods for the aerospace industry.

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Collaborative Research & Development

Collaborative Research & Development (R&D) is a support product, provided by the Technology Strategy Board. It encourages businesses to team up and work with each other and with those in the research community to develop innovative products, processes and services in specific areas of technology or technology application.

Grants are designed to help cut the cost of bringing research results to market. The level of grant support will vary between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of your R&D costs and those of your business partners.

You can find out about Collaborative R&D on the Technology Strategy Board website- Opens in a new window.

Competitions for collaborative R&D project funding

There are regular competitions for the co-funding of collaborative R&D projects. Held since 2004, the competitions have resulted in over 900 projects and government investment of well over £1 billion.

The Technology Strategy Board oversees these competitions. You can see a list of R&D project funding competitions on the Technology Strategy Board website- Opens in a new window. Alternatively, you can search for competitions with the Technology Strategy Board. Also, see the page on research and development competitions in our guide on the Technology Strategy Board.

Find out about the Technology Strategy Board on the Technology Strategy Board website- Opens in a new window.

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The Step Programme

The Step Programme is a scheme designed to help small businesses develop their potential by using the skills of recent graduates and undergraduates to work on specific business projects. Businesses benefit from fresh ideas and the chance to address problems or opportunities for which time and resources are normally lacking.

The Step Programme is supported by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and run by a specialist team behind one of the country’s most highly regarded work experience programmes for student and graduates.

How it works

Through the programme’s fully managed service, businesses can:

• develop their placement description and candidate profile 
• promote their opportunity to a database of over 25,000 candidates
• receive a shortlist of quality, pre-screened candidates
• gain support for themselves and their candidate through the full recruitment process 

All placement students receive a weekly training allowance, which is tax and NI exempt. The host organisation pays Step who then pays the students, removing the cost and hassle for the host.

Your organisation can take part if:

• it is an SME, community or social enterprise with 250 employees or fewer
• it has a business-related project a student could complete in eight to 12 weeks
• you can commit resources to supervise the project and offer the student an insight into your business

You can find out about the Step Programme on the Step Programme website- Opens in a new window.

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CASE STUDY

Here’s how I used a Knowledge Transfer Partnership and worked with a university

Mustang Marine (Wales) Ltd is a designer and manufacturer of bespoke commercial work boats, based in Pembroke Dock, West Wales. Finance director Lucas Boissevain explains how using a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) allowed the company to successfully research and implement the cutting-edge design technology that has transformed the business.

What I did

Define objectives

“Investigating new technology was part of our business plan. Our strategy was to improve competitiveness by combining the advantages of bespoke boat design with short lead times.

“The solution was to source software that would allow us to design high-quality ‘kits’ that could be built quickly to meet specific requirements. We didn’t have the expertise in-house, so we talked to the Welsh Development Agency about KTPs. We were put in touch with a KTP Officer who guided us through the programme.”

Select a partner

“After discussions with several institutions, we chose the National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR) based at University of Wales Institute Cardiff, because we liked their commercial awareness and ‘can do’ approach. The postgraduate assigned to us, Simon Goodwin, graduated in Naval Architecture, but equally importantly he specialised in computer-aided design.

“Simon’s brief was to research and select a software provider, then test and implement the chosen solution. Initially he worked with us to map our existing processes and put a formal project framework in place, including timescales and deliverables.”

Make it work

“Simon was excellent throughout. He spent three months researching options then drew up a shortlist of four software providers, who we interviewed in conjunction with PDR. We chose a 3D product modelling system called ShipConstructor.

“Because we were partnering a university, we purchased the software licence on an academic platform, which cost a fraction of the fee for a commercial licence.

“Simon co-ordinated the software testing and worked on refinements with the developers. We were into full production and seeing rapid improvements within 18 months before committing to a full commercial software licence.

“Lead times for hull and superstructure fabrication are reduced by 30 per cent, manufacturing costs are down by 20 per cent and quality is enhanced.”

What I’d do differently

Remember academic payback

“We were so pleased with the work Simon was doing, we tended to forget that he also had academic commitments as part of the KTP. You need to build that into your plans to avoid frustration.”

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