Innovation Voucher Scheme - Scottish Funding Council
General Information:
The Innovation Voucher Scheme, launched in Feb 2009, is in now in its 3rd successful year with a new call for applications opening in August 2011. Each HEI has an initial allocation of up to £20k for innovation voucher applications and it is advised that they are submitted prior to January 13th 2012. The remaining funds will be distributed throughout the year based on demand. There is follow on funding also available to existing partnerships that were previously awarded an innovation voucher. Please follow this link for more information. Please note this year the scheme has been enhanced following a successful application for European Structural Funds, which has led to some changes to the scheme and is reflected in the revised forms (application and final report) and guidelines which are available for download via the below weblinks. About the SFC Innovation Vouchers: The scheme is aimed at building relationships between SMEs (Small to Medium sized Enterprises) and HEIs (Higher Education Institutes) in Scotland. The proposed collaborative project should lead to new products, services and processes that will benefit the business, the institution and the Scottish economy. The awards are specifically intended to encourage new partnerships that have not previously collaborated or jointly received funding from any source previously so as to build links between Scotland’s Higher Education Institutes and small businesses. In particular the vouchers should encourage a longer, sustained relationship between companies and HEIs rather than just offset the costs of the business purchasing a service from a HEI. The scheme is broad in nature and encompasses all disciplines of academia from science, engineering and technology to arts, creative industries, humanities and social sciences. Likewise the range of company sectors can be from social enterprises to technology based companies so long as the eligibility criteria (below) are adhered to. Support provided to eligible companies will include a contribution from European Structural Funds. However funds may not be used to cover the costs of: - standard training courses
- software purchases
- aid that would promote/ subsidise the cost of exports
- internships for students of knowledge institutions
- design and production of advertising materials including websites and mobile applications
- sales and marketing activities
Eligible costs include academic staff time, access to equipment and consumables to undertake the activities to be delivered during the project. A breakdown of the costs including staff costs for the actual work completed and other associated costs will be submitted with the final report and invoice. Eligible expenditure should be for activity explicitly set out in the approved application. The award (for an individual project) is for up to £5000, with a minimum of £1000, and will be paid upon submission (and sign off) of an invoice and final report by the academic institution to info@interface-online.org.uk and approval by the Scottish Funding Council to offset the costs of the collaborative project. The company contribution is expected to match the grant contribution from the Scheme either through cash or in kind (staff time materials, access to facilities etc). All expenditure must be clearly accounted for in a final report. In ensuring maximum value for the scheme to benefit a wide range of institutions and businesses, both company and academic partners are encouraged to include some cash contributions from the company in the proposal. Bids should display that they are value for money, and not all be at the £5000 level. Related Case Studies Other case examples can be found by visiting this link.
How to Apply:
Please contact the Interface team if you would like further information or use our Contact us page. Download a copy of the Guidance Notes here Download a copy of the Application Form here Download a copy of the Project Change Request Form here
Eligibility:
All small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland (ie. those with a registration commencing SC) are eligible to partner with a HEI under the scheme. SME are organisations that are registered companies, employ between 1- 250 employees and have an annual turnover of less than £35 million.
Visit this Website:
For further information please see Scottish Funding Council website
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