Funding options for businesses wanting to engage with Scotland's academia

Funding

Innovation Voucher Funding

The Scottish Funding Council offer a number of funding programmes, which are administered by Interface, to offset the cost for businesses collaborating with Scotland's universities or further education colleges to support innovation to develop a new product, process or service for the company or to develop the company's workforce. Subject to eligibility of the company this funding could be used to carry out a feasibility study to explore technology opportunities available from Scottish Universities. For information and advice on Intellectual Property Post Brexit please consult this link - Intellectual property after 1 January 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

How It Works

Eligibility

All Scottish Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are eligible for these funding streams. SMEs require an academic partner to apply, if you do not have an academic partner the Interface Business Engagement team can help to identify one, please email info@interface-online.org.uk.

For any eligibility enquiries please submit our pre-submission information or spin-out pre-submission information forms. The Innovation Voucher funding scheme is no longer available for research institutes.

Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund

The Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund will support businesses not yet located in Scotland but seeking to establish stronger ties with academia here. Ultimately with the intention of landing inward investment projects arising or supported by the academic collaborations and relationships formed.

Standard Innovation Vouchers

Up to £5,000 of funding aimed at encouraging first-time partnerships between a company and a university or further education college. The company contributes an equal value in cash or in-kind (such as staff time, materials or equipment) or a combination of both.

Student Placement Innovation Vouchers

Up to £5,000 to fund a PhD or Masters student to work within your organisation on a clearly defined project and continue the development of a Standard Innovation Voucher award. The company must have suitable premises to host a student for the duration of the project.

Advanced Innovation Vouchers

Up to £20,000 of match funding to either encourage sustained relationships with academia and enable existing partnerships to continue the development of a project or for those companies who are beginning their collaborative journey with a HEI / FE college partner. The company must provide a mix of in-kind and cash contributions.

If you have any questions regarding the above Scottish Funding Council funding programmes please email applications@interface-online.org.uk

There are also additional funding streams which the Interface team can help link you into.

More information on Additional Funding Streams