1. Funding Academic-Business Collaborations
Elwood Vogt
Research Strategy & Innovation Office
University of Glasgow

2. Objectives of KE Funding Programmes
Twin Aims of Innovation and Impact
• UK University‟s mission is “to make an impact on the social
cultural, and intellectual life, as well as the economic
success of the local community, Scotland, and beyond”
• UK University‟s aim is “to be recognised for its innovative
knowledge transfer development”
• Companies (particularly SMEs) can derive significant benefit
from academic expertise
Successful track record from previous KE and economic
development initiatives targeted at Scottish SMEs

3. Industry & University Partnerships Drive Innovation
• Innovation is the introduction of something new or different
• When industry and universities collaborate, innovation can be a
„business changer‟
• For business, innovation can enable:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Expansion into new markets or business opportunities
New product development
New or improved process implementation
Delivery of new or enhanced services
Operational and/or financial improvement
Increase in business knowledge

4. Industry & University Partnerships Create Impact
• Knowledge exchange and impact are increasingly important for
UK Universities → Impact is 20% of REF and other funding
sources (EPSRC, TSB, ERDF, EU, SE) also prioritise impact
• Benefits include:
–
–
–
–
–
Commercial success – business growth, job creation, stimulate economy
Opportunity to influence “real world” problems and challenges
Societal relevance – cultural, life style, health & welfare, policy
Develop new relationships – industrial, public sector, political
Stimulate new research avenues
Aim: Design projects to ensure impact from research outcomes

5. Encompass Programme
First Step Awards (FSA)
Funded by
Scottish Enterprise

6. Encompass Programme
• £1.9 M initiative designed to create a coherent support
structure that removes barriers to innovation and will grow
the number of companies engaging in innovative activities
• 3-year programme which started November 2011
• The programme aims to:
– Raise companies awareness of innovation opportunities
– Assist companies to identify their own innovation needs
– Provide resources and support for companies to address their needs
• Encompass First Step Awards (FSA) fund small projects that
can establish viability for larger follow-on funded projects
• Target market: Scottish SME‟s

7. Why Target SME’s?
• In Scotland, SME‟s represent 99% of all businesses
Yet, only 6% of SME‟s are classified as „high growth‟
• SME‟s account for 50% of GDP
• SME‟s employ 58% of total work force
High growth SME‟s are responsible for 50% of new jobs

8. Encompass Resources
• Collaboration of partners led by University of Glasgow that also
includes Universities of Aberdeen, Strathclyde, and Stirling
• Dedicated team of experienced KE Managers are based at
Glasgow, Strathclyde, and Aberdeen, who provide advice and
assistance to academics and SMEs engaging together
• Marketing budget and staff dedicated for events, web site, and
marketing materials
• First Step Awards to support SME/academic engagement
• Access to sources of follow-on funding for larger projects

9. Encompass First Step Awards (FSA)
• Up to £5,000 cash funding for small projects between partner
Universities and Scottish SMEs
• £100,000 per year is available from Scottish Enterprise
• Build relationships and facilitate collaborative work that can
lead to new commercial opportunities benefiting all of the
participants and the Scottish economy
• Feasibility and PofC studies are strongly encouraged
• Foreground Intellectual Property (IP) developed is generally
the sole and exclusive property of the company
• Best projects deliver outcomes benefiting all parties

10. Acceptable Uses for FSA Funding
• Buy out an academic‟s time to spend on the project
• Either through personal consultancy (CPF) or salary recoup
(PAF) at a maximum rate of £500 per day
• Students may only be used in exceptional circumstances, but
academic supervisor must commit 10% time as a minimum
• Consumables and other costs are allowed up to a maximum
of 20% of project budget
Primary objective of Encompass is to enable Scottish SMEs to
gain access to a University academic‟s time and expertise

11. Company Eligibility
• Must be an SME either registered, or with a base, in Scotland
• Company is expected to make a contribution to the project of
equivalent value, which can be in-kind
• Preferably will be VAT registered, as the University‟s invoice
of the company will include VAT, which Scottish Enterprise
will not reimburse (company can reclaim from HMRC)

12. Applications for First Step Awards
1. Identify a suitable partner and define an innovative project
2. Contact a member of the Encompass team in RSIO
3. Complete and submit the University‟s Application Form
4. Once the project is pre-approved by Scottish Enterprise, a few
more additional forms will be required (nothing onerous):
a. Scottish Enterprise (SE) Application Form
b. Award Agreement with the University
c. Signed PAF (Project Approval Form) / CPF (Consultancy Project Form)
5. Applications can be made by either the company or academic
and can be submitted at any time – turnaround is quick