Innovation Partnerships (Smart Grants and thematic funds)

Outside of KTPs, there are many other funding calls available via UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) where we can support academics to collaborate with industry partners.

For example, Innovate UK Smart Grants, are funding for game-changing and disruptive ideas no matter what sector for UK based companies.

Smart Grants offer up to £1m worth of funding to the company, to work with a consortium on a project, which includes:

  • An idea for a completely new product, service or process
  • 12 months, multi-partner
  • A brand-new or unprecedented use for an existing product, service or process
  • High bar for ‘disruption’

UKRI and Innovate UK also frequently launch thematic funding opportunities. These tend to be:

  • Innovate UK specialist funds
  • Targeted, tightly defined funding themes (e.g. net zero or health)
  • Similar make up to Smart Grant calls
  • The company leads the bid
  • Commercial Impact key
  • Typically

Innovate to Elevate Babergh & Mid Suffolk

This scheme is a collaborative partnership between Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils and the University of Essex. 

It offers businesses in Babergh and Mid Suffolk the opportunity to participate in a fully-funded business accelerator programme and work with Essex’s expertise to take the next steps towards innovation.

Businesses and organisations from the region can receive hands-on intervention from an Innovation Manager and access to a team of highly qualified academics and research staff who can offer expertise in the following areas, among many others:

  • Entrepreneurial culture development
  • Accelerate new thinking and processes
  • Innovation proof of concepts
  • Supply chain management
  • Technology adoption
  • Automation
  • Scale digitisation
  • Data and strategy
  • Health and wellbeing in the workplace
  • Employee productivity and incentives
  • Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Robotics
  • Plant sciences including vertical farms and hydroponic growing techniques

As part of the academic team on an Innovate to Elevate project, you will engage in a short term project with the business to understand and implement their innovation goals, with the help of your research. You will get to see the impact of your research in action, gaining industry insight and working with a local business.

Find out more

If you would like to know more about Innovation Partnerships, please get in contact with the Business Engagement Team.