Great KTP10 conference organised by Geoff Archer and his colleagues. Really enjoyed it.
20 years in KTP/TCS and this was my first KTP conference. Well done Geoff!!!
Funders of the KTP Programme have provided the following clarifications regarding Societal Benefit:
- As for any KTP proposal, funders are looking for the following:
- A credible link between benefits and the KTP project – ability to demonstrate a credible link from the direct outcomes of the KTP and its plans for exploitation, to the benefits proposed
- High levels of innovation and challenge – the need for academic involvement, with a view to delivering transformational change both for the host organisation but also for the impacted population
- Impact should be defined in terms of both reach (size of the population impacted) and the significance of the impact. Level of impact will be considered as a balance between the two – so a project which only impacts on a relatively small population would need to demonstrate the likelihood of significant, transformative impact. (Funders would also be looking for this impact to be leveraged to a wider audience, through further exploitation/dissemination plans etc.)
- Categories of Societal Benefit (indicative rather than exhaustive)
- Health
- Societal wellbeing
- Cultural & Creative Outcomes
- Education
- Environment/Energy
- Safety
- Job creation
- Depending on the type of societal benefit, there may or may not be the opportunity to link it to a quantifiable economic case – but this should be done where appropriate (both to demonstrate impact and to increase the number of funders who may be willing to support the project).
- Timescales – timescales for delivery of societal benefits may be more flexible than for the economic case but funders are looking for early delivery of benefits wherever possible, and need to see indicators and milestones within the lifetime of the KTP that demonstrate progress to delivery of the full benefits identified in the proposal. It would be expected that projects would include a pilot or similar with defined key performance indicators to measure success both at the end of the project and ongoing, plus clear dissemination plans where appropriate to maximise the impact.
KTP Management Board – January 2013
“Knowledge is a transient commodity that is a gift for our use, and our responsibility to evolve.”
Polkinghorne 2013
Announcement of £50m Hefce Catalyst fund
Hefce have just issued a call for expressions of interest towards their Catalyst fund. £50m funding is available for Higher Education Institutions and Further Education Colleges. This funding will be used to support developments that stimulate the capabilities of HE teaching and research to deliver sustainable economic impact across the nation. Collaboration across institutions is encouraged.
Please note that the closing date for expressions of interest is noon on Thursday 24 January 2013. The call document can be found at the link below:
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/year/2012/cl312012/
We have worked with Hefce in developing the call and the text below is included that specifically highlights working with TSB:
In its approach to economic growth HEFCE is working closely in partnership with other funders, particularly the Technology Strategy Board. The Technology Strategy Board will be involved in the assessment of proposals relevant to its remit. We would be interested in proposals that meet joint HEFCE-Technology Strategy Board objectives. These might include:
a. Collaborative arrangements that enable deeper engagement between institutions and business, and promote activities that align with the Technology Strategy Board’s national priorities.
b. Innovative approaches for collaborations between institutions to work within the aims and objectives of Technology Strategy Board Catapult Centres.
c. Innovative approaches that align institutional innovation voucher schemes with the Technology Strategy Board’s national programme.
CBI Conference 2012 – Extract from Vince Cable’s Speech
“We have noted the criticisms of the CBI that the valuable Smart Awards and Knowledge Transfer Partnership have been squeezed”
Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) launched the 1st phase of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund scheme on 23 August 2012. This is a competitive funding scheme to support the development and demonstration of innovative, new technologies, products and processes in the areas of:
•Energy efficiency and building technologies
•Power generation and storage
The scheme seeks the best ideas, irrespective of source, in these areas from the public and private sector. However, the scheme particularly aims to assist small and medium sized enterprises, including start-ups, and those companies that are selected can receive additional funding for incubation support.
This initial call is the first phase of the Entrepreneurs Fund. The second phase of the scheme building on the first phase is expected to be launched in early 2013 on an open call basis.
The first phase of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund has up to £16m available for funding and during the application process applicants will be expected to demonstrate a robust evidence based case for funding, that will include but not be limited to:
•the potential impact of the innovation on 2020 and/or 2050 low carbon targets or security of supply
•the size and nature of the business opportunity
•the technical viability of their innovation and coherent development plan that will commercially progress the innovation
•value for money proposition
The 1st phase of the scheme will close on 31 Oct 2012. During this period there will be two assessment deadlines.
For more info: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/funding/funding_ops/innovation/innov_fund/eefs/eefs.aspx
METRC Innovation Awards will support new research and innovation projects between universities and companies in the fields of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering.
Any company is able to apply but preference will be given to SMEs.
Call 2 will is now open and will close on 3rd November 2012
Call 3 will open in February 2013 and close in April 2013
Call 4 will open in September 2013 and Call 5 will open in February 2014, subject to funds still being available.
for more info: http://www.metrc.co.uk/fundingcalls/fundingavailability.aspx
Small UK businesses will be able to obtain Government funding to help them develop and grow with the launch this month of a new and easily accessible Innovation Voucher scheme.
Opening on 24 September 2012 the scheme – to be managed by the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board (www.innovateuk.org) – will enable start-up, micro, small and medium-sized businesses to access up to £5,000 worth of advice and expertise from universities, research organisations or other private sector knowledge suppliers.
Initially, Innovation Vouchers will be available to businesses that are working on ideas relevant to the agrifood and built environment sectors. The vouchers, available from 24 September, will have a value up to £5,000 and will enable businesses to work with an external expert for the first time by paying towards the cost of their services.
In addition to these sectors, a number of vouchers valued at up to £8,000 will be available to businesses working on ideas in the space sector, in association with the International Space Innovation Centre.
The Technology Strategy Board will monitor the scheme’s progress and consider extending it to other sectors in future.
Innovation Vouchers will enable businesses to access knowledge for all types of innovation, such as:
– Ideas for new or improved products, processes and services;
– Using design to improve ideas;
– Managing intellectual property.
Business can use their Innovation Vouchers to work with knowledge suppliers such as:
– Universities and further education colleges;
– Research and technology organisations;
– Technical consultancies;
– Catapult centres;
– Design advisers;
– Intellectual property advisers.
Applications should be made via the Technology Strategy Board’s website at http://www.innovateuk.org/competitions
NEW: This ESRC scheme provides the opportunity to apply for funding for knowledge exchange activities at any stage of the research lifecycle, and is aimed at maximising the impact of social science research outside academia.
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/collaboration/knowledge-exchange/opportunities/index.aspx
The Natural Environment Research Council has launched a call for internships, inviting existing researchers to apply for projects of up to four months, based in businesses, policy or third sector organisations to explore and demonstrate how business, policy or third sector partners in the area of Marine Renewable Energy can make use of scientific knowledge, data, models or other tools to understand and manage their impacts and/or dependencies on the environment.
The internships offer appointees an excellent opportunity for extending their research experience into business, policy or other settings.
There is potential for successful business internships to progress into Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in 2013/14, through the forthcoming TSB call in Marine Renewable Energy.
Applications to the NERC internships will be accepted on a rolling basis, until the funding has been allocated or by 5pm on
26 October 2012. More information: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/business/ao-business-internship.asp”
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