Working Together

To facilitate working partnerships between companies and academia a number of funding mechanisms have been established by Government and within the Scottish universities physics departments themselves; such funds as those administered by SUPA. Brief details of just a selection of these are provided below, but we are pleased to discuss alternate funding arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

SUPA KT: The Photonics Innovation Centre and St Andrews School of Physics & Astronomy are active partners in the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) Knowledge Exchange programme. PIC hosts one of the SUPA KT Technologists and can offer access to their time free of charge on collaborative programmes, typically of up to six months duration. Additionally, SUPA KT operates the SUPA START programme. SUPA START feasibility study awards (up to £5k) are aimed at building relationships between Scottish based SMEs and Physics departments and academics in Scotland, and at stimulating collaborative work that will lead to new products, processes or routes to markets that will hopefully benefit both the enterprises and the institutions involved.

For further information: www.supa.ac.uk/Knowledge_Transfer/index

Technology Strategy Board Collaborative R&D: The TSB funded Collaborative Research & Development programme provides assistance for industry and academia to work together on R&D programmes within priority areas of science, technology and engineering across a range of market sectors. PIC has a successful track record in securing funding for innovative projects aimed at bringing about new product, processes and services based around our photonic technologies. Government contribution to the industrial partner costs will typically be in the range 30-40%, for programmes often of 1 to 3 years duration.

For further information: www.innovateuk.org/

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships: TSB sponsored Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) are a tried and tested means of enterprise working in collaboration with an academic partner to improve the effectiveness of their business; be it through enhanced competitiveness, productivity or performance. The knowledge exchange process is effected by the recruitment of an appropriately qualified project Associate into the company to work specifically on the project (or projects) and forming a Partnership between your business and the knowledge base institution; enabling you to access skills and expertise to help your business develop. KTPs can vary in length from 1 to 3 years (classic KTP) and now from 10-40 weeks (through the shorter KTP), depending on the needs of the business and the desired outcomes. Company contribution to the cost of the KTP will be typically around 30% of the project costs for an SME. In return the company will not only benefit from the work of the associate, but also have access to the academic expertise of the supervisor within the partner institution and in longer term projects guidance from a KTP Adviser.

For further information: www.ktponline.org.uk/strategy

Industrial Doctorate Centre for Optics and Photonics Technologies: The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is a 4 year PhD-level doctorate degree where the emphasis is placed on R&D activities carried out within a commercial environment. During the Research Engineers studies, it is anticipated they will spend a large majority of their time working within the company, with 75% of the time being spent on research and 25% taught coursework. R&D activity is expected to be focused on the needs of the company and may comprise a single large project or may comprise a portfolio of smaller projects. Close collaboration with the academic supervisor is encouraged, providing the company and Research Engineer with additional access to academic based expertise and broader knowledge base. Company contribution to the cost of an EngD Research Engineer is around £7k per annum plus other project costs. The Industrial Doctorate Centre contributes about £100k over the course of the degree.

For further information: www.engd.hw.ac.uk/

logosPromoting the successful exploitation of emerging photonic technologies, through engagement in focussed knowledge exchange programmes that deliver collaborative research and subsequent prototype development, fabrication and end-user assessment opportunity.