Funding mechanisms

It is well recognised that the rate of success of KT activities is often limited by the availability of relatively small amounts of flexible funding.  The KTA has therefore set up a range of flexible support designed to enable researchers to significantly reduce the barriers associated with successful knowledge transfer and exploitation of EPSRC funded research. 

KTA provides five different streams of funding:

• Proof of Concept
• Collaborative Development
• KTA Fellowship
• SPARK Awards
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Drivers for KTA Funding

EPSRC research has huge potential for impact in sectors and applications as wide ranging as electronics, healthcare, energy and defence.  It is therefore important to undertake application specific feasibility and development work to assess the validity of research outcomes in these areas in order to attract the interest of commercial end users.

The funding will focus on projects that address specific problems with clear evidence of demand; have identified a probable source of follow on funding; have end user engagement and support; have potential for closer industry engagement and can demonstrate potential routes to impact including markets.

The overarching aims of the KTA schemes are:

• To support the development of the evidential base required to enable the University or user organisations to commit to application and exploitation.
• To enable the University and user organisations to develop the necessary relationships that will deliver successful exploitation and/or impact.
• To enable partners (or a new company) to plan the implementation and exploitation of technologies developed.
• To overcome the hurdles of accessing the possibility of commercial applications outside of the remit of research grants.
• Generate new application specific intellectual property rights and knowledge 

Proof of Concepts

Proof of Concept projects are designed to support the early stage development of ideas and technologies arising from curiosity driven or strategic research grants.  They should be pre-commercial and designed to demonstrate how the technology may work in specific application areas prior to seeking further funding for development and the development of new high value licenses or spin out companies.

This funding will focus on projects that address industrial/societal problems with clear evidence of demand, have identified potential sources of follow on funding, have end user engagement and support and can demonstrate potential routes to impact and market (i.e. licensing or spin out company formation)

Grants for these projects vary from 1-6 months in duration, depending on the case.  Funding will be expected to cover consumables and access to specialist facilities along with staffing to undertake the work.  Additional support for market assessment and entrepreneurial management will also be available to support projects.

Collaborative Development

Collaborative projects might arise from either innovation workshops or simply through discussions with companies on their specific requirements.  The KTA is able to facilitate these discussions and also to provide initial funding for feasibility or demonstration activities with a view to identifying and preparing external funding applications to support the commercialisation process.  The key part of all our supported activities is that we will ensure they are guided by the specific requirements of the industrial partners and we will ensure sufficient resources are in place to enable dedicate focus on project outputs

Project timescales may vary from 1 to 6 months.

Fellowships

Two types of Technology Development Fellowships are available through the KTA.

1. Funding for a postdoctoral level researcher to progress initially EPSRC funded research with commercialisation potential to a level where it is possible to attract sufficient external interest and confidence for them to commit to the further development of the technologies.  Outputs from this type of project might include collaborative projects with industry, new IP generated and protected, SE Proof of Concept applications, EPSRC follow on fund applications, RSE fellowships, SMART Awards or spin out company formation.
2. It is often the case that fast response times for short term projects are required in order to derive benefit to industry.  However, normal university funding modelling typically do not allow for employment of high quality staff based on short term opportunities.  The KTA will therefore underwrite the employment of Technology Fellows in areas where there is proven demand or opportunity for short term research projects with industry.

Technology Fellowships are expected to be typically 6-12 months in duration for a postdoctoral level researcher, with additional funding available for travel and consumables reviewed on a case by case basis.  In addition, Technology Fellows will be provided with innovation training as required.

SPARK Awards 

SPARK Award projects funded by the University of Glasgow's KTA have been launched in collaboration with the Materials KTN to support the UK community by giving UK based companies help to improve their industrial performance through the increased use of technology for product and process innovation.

Individual awards of up to £5000 are available to work with UK based companies to fund problem solving, proof of concept technology demonstration and other development activities in the field of nanotechnology.

The research work must be carried out by or in collaboration with the University of Glasgow and a fundamental requirement for such an award is that projects reach completion within a maximum of 4 months from the start date of the project.

Although projects are not expected to qualify on all grounds below, priority will be given to proposals which:

• Promise rapid results beyond completion of the work
• Have high leverage of future value for the company
• Have the potential to generate significant future collaborations
• Develop novel and/or innovative products or technologies
• Will deliver value back into the UK nanotechnology community

For full details of the programme and application instructions please see Spark Award Application Form 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

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.  The KTA will support KTP projects where there is an element of developing previously funded EPSRC research outputs into new or improved technology based products/processes within the company partner.  If projects fall outside of the KTA remit then other funders such as Technology Strategy Board or Scottish Government provide matched funding.

For more information on KTP's see www.ktpws.org.uk

Eligibility

Applications are only permitted for projects focused on the exploitation of knowledge or technology generated through EPSRC funded research.  Eligible partners are UK-based businesses (or UK sites of international businesses), UK based charities and UK public sector organisations.  If you have any queries regarding user organisation eligibility please contact the KTA team.

Funding is intended for applications that can demonstrate a clear development pathway should the work be successful.  This pathway might include applications for other development funding or collaborations with industry and end users.  It is expected that collaborative partners provide either cash or in kind contributions to the project.

Applications and Review Process

For more details on project requirements please contact the KTA team.

Project applications are reviewed on a monthly basis.  Please contact the KTA team to discuss your ideas and to find out about the next review meeting.