Update on the arrangements for the SFC’s Innovation Voucher scheme AY2011-12:
- 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 Scotland’s small businesses.
- St Andrews has an initial allocation of £20k for innovation voucher applications provided that these meet the criteria outlined in the guidelines and are submitted prior to January 13th 2012. Additional innovation vouchers are available beyond this first allocation.
- An individual project award is capped at a 50% contribution through the IV, and each voucher is for up to £5000, with a minimum of £1000
- The research and development activities to be carried out under the award must be completed by 30th May 2012.
The call for submissions is now open and further information and application forms can be downloaded from http://www.interface-online.org.uk/innovation
These Innovation Vouchers help take some of the sting out of project costs for Scotland’s small businesses wanting to work with an HEI, and the company’s contribution can be in-kind or cash. The most common use of the vouchers are to support University consultancy and short duration service and/or analysis projects.
In the first instance please contact the KT Centre: ktcdesk@st-andrews.ac.uk with any queries; however any costings, agreements or required contracts will be provided by your Schools Research, Business Development & Contracts contact in the Research Funding Office.
Also please note that the KT Centre has access to innovation vouchers to support Scottish businesses working with St Andrews separate from this SFC opportunity, so we would be happy to hear from you if you have a potential project with a Scottish company that needs a little financial help to get off the ground.
