Are you working with a small business or organisation on an idea that could use a financial boost?

If so, you are invited to apply for a Business Innovation Grant from our new competitive fund.

University-led projects can apply for up to £5,000 to be spent on staff time, materials and other project expenses, with the ultimate aim of furthering collaboration and progressing promising ideas. £5,000 equates to approximately 8-14 days of staff time (depending on your seniority) and could offer you the ring-fenced time you need to make real progress.

Suggestions for activity include:

• Developing a proof of concept
• Completing initial research that will inform how the concept will develop
• Market research
• Progressing a concept so you’re ready to apply for larger funding, such as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership
• Solidifying a working relationship so that it leads to further consultancy, research or student placements
• Supporting REF and research outcomes – could this project lead to a new research output or provide evidence for an ongoing impact case study?

Successful projects will need to have their funding spent by the 31st July. This is an internal competitive application process and all applications will be scored against a clear matrix.  You can download the application form here. 

The application deadline for Business Innovation Grants is Tuesday 14th May.

For any questions about the Business Innovation Grants, please email Research and Innovation Funding Support.

In addition to the above, we are excited to announce a Strategic BIG Ideas Fund, with larger grants available to projects that involve wider strategic collaborations with multiple links across the business environment to widen our engagement as a University across Northamptonshire.  Applications to this fund are limited and if you are interested then please contact Charlotte Patrick for an initial discussion.