The Standard Innovation Voucher scheme encourages new collaborations between a Scottish organisation and a university or college.

It aims to make collaborative work accessible to all Small to Medium-sized Enterprise’s (SME’s), sole traders, social enterprises and third sector organisations and is open to applications from all industry sectors.

Delivered in partnership with the Scottish Funding Council, the voucher offers between £1,000 and up to £7,500 to cover the academic project costs and is paid directly to the university or college. The organisation must contribute a matching in kind value, such as staff time, materials, equipment or a combination of both.

There are two types of Standard Innovation Voucher:

• Product/Process/Service Innovation Voucher: to support the development of a new product, process, or service for their company.
• Workplace Innovation Voucher: to develop the company’s internal workforce, including new or enhanced workplace processes, innovative workplace practices, or innovative business expertise. This does not include staff CPD or to finance any external training courses.

How to Apply

The application form must be completed by both the academic and SME partners. All applications must be completed through the Interface Partner Portal which is managed by your university or college partner. Contact us if you do not have an academic partner or if you have any questions on the scheme: info@interface-online.org.uk

Please read this overview of the Standard Innovation Voucher process: Standard Innovation Voucher Supporting Information

Further Information

• Glossary of Terms – Description of terminology used within the form.
• Interface Partner Portal Guide – A simple guide on how to use the Interface Partner Portal
• Standard Innovation Voucher Legal Agreement – The template legal agreement used by the collaborative organisation and university or college. Please note this is a condition of accepting the voucher award and the terms of this agreement are not subject to any amendment.
  – Standard Innovation Voucher Legal Agreement (in-kind only)
  – Standard Innovation Voucher Legal Agreement (in cash & in-kind)

Forms

• Staff Costs: Sample Timesheet – Document that may be used by the academic as an aide-memoir to record their Project Costs. Does not require to be submitted to the panel.
• Pre-Submission Information – Please complete if you have a query over eligibility i.e., Sole Traders/Partnerships/Companies with English registration etc

• Example Application Form – An example of the Standard Innovation Voucher application form

The Student Placement Voucher scheme, delivered in partnership with the Scottish Funding Council, has been developed to build on existing relationships between Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Scotland.

Before you can apply for a Student Placement Voucher you must have completed a Standard Innovation Voucher. The Student Placement Voucher will build upon the relationship you developed with the HEI team. Your project will be led by the same academic team and should offer valuable business skills and experience to a PhD or Masters Student.

If your application for a Student Placement Voucher is successful you will receive a grant between £1,000 and up to £7,500 which will be used to cover the academic project. The organisation must contribute a matching in kind value, such as staff time, materials, equipment, or a combination of both. The organisation participating must have suitable premises to host the student.

How to Apply

The application form must be completed by both the academic and SME partners. All applications must be completed through the Interface Partner Portal which is managed by your university or college partner. Contact us if you do not have an academic partner or if you have any questions on the scheme. info@interface-online.org.uk

Please read this overview of the Student Innovation Voucher process: Student Innovation Voucher Supporting Information

Access the Interface Partner Portal

Further Information:

• Interface Partner Portal Guide – A simple guide on how to use the Interface Partner Portal

The Advanced Innovation Voucher (AIV) fosters enduring partnerships between Scottish organisations and a university or college. We welcome applications from small and medium-sized companies (SMEs),  sole traders, social enterprises and third sector organisations. (Pre-submission may be required).

It aims to make collaborative work accessible to organisations and is open to applications from all industry sectors. The projects supported by this scheme should lead to the development of new products, services, and processes, benefiting your organisation, the academic institution you collaborate with, and the Scottish economy.

The Advanced Innovation Vouchers, delivered in partnership with our funding partner Scottish Enterprise, are offered on a sliding scale basis with a matched grant of up to £20,000. To determine the value of your voucher, the business and academic team should establish the project scope and milestones which then determine the overall costings for the project. The company cash contributions can then be determined from the overall project value.

How to Apply

Your proposed project must focus on innovation and demonstrate the potential to lead to new products, services, or processes. If you work for an SME with fewer than 250 employees, and a turnover of less than £50million you’re eligible to apply for an Advanced Innovation Voucher.

The application form must be completed by both the academic and SME partners. All applications must be completed through the Interface Partner Portal which is managed by your university or college partner. Please get in touch via applications@interface-online.org.uk if you have any queries or need help in identifying an academic partner.

Applications are now closed. Sign up to the Interface newsletter to stay up to date with our latest funding updates.

Further Information

• Advanced Innovation Voucher Supporting Information – An overview of the AIV process.
• Interface Partner Portal Guide – A simple guide on how to use the Interface Partner Portal
• Glossary of Terms – Description of terminology used within the form.
• Advanced Innovation Voucher Legal Agreement – The template legal agreement used by the collaborative organisation and university or college. Please note this is a condition of accepting the voucher award and the terms of this agreement are not subject to any amendment.

Forms

• Sample Advanced Innovation Voucher Application Form – Document that can be used as a reference when completing an application.
• Staff Costs – Sample Timesheet – Document that may be used by the academic as an aide-memoir to record their project costs. Does not require to be submitted to the panel.
• Pre-Submission Information – To be completed if you have a query over eligibility i.e., Sole Traders/Partnerships/Companies with English registration etc.

Background

The Inward Investment Catalyst Fund has been developed by Interface and the Scottish Government to attract and support businesses, not yet located in Scotland but with an interest in developing a presence here. The fund is aligned with Scotland’s Inward Investment Plan and Scottish Government’s values centred around a fair, sustainable and inclusive low carbon future.

As well as funding the project, it provides an opportunity for the company to develop relationships and give insight into other aspects of the Scottish ecosystem, such as further investment opportunities, supply chains and the skills base to strengthen the case for investing in Scotland.

Funding awards of up to £10,000 can be applied for to pay for input from a Scottish academic partner into projects with businesses. The fund can support the costs of an initial collaboration such as but not limited to; feasibility study (e.g. for a joint R&D centre); roadmap to leverage investment for joint R&D; early-stage proof of concept; supporting talent and skills for R&D.

Businesses will need to demonstrate their aspiration and intent to use the fund, the outcomes from the project and relationships with academia to potentially develop a pathway towards setting up a presence in Scotland i.e. research & development or manufacturing operations. 

Projects should align with at least one of the nine key opportunity areas where Scotland’s strengths match global investment flows:

• Energy Transition 

• Decarbonisation of Transport 

• Software and IT  

• Digital Financial Services  

• Digital Business Services  

• Space 

• Healthtech  

• Transformation of Chemical Industries 

• Food & Drink Innovation 

The deadline for applications has now passed. Sign up to our newsletter to found out about latest funding calls.

Eligibility

The Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund is open to businesses of any size currently engaged or looking to engage with a Scottish University, College, Research Institute, Innovation Centre or Research Pool but without an existing base of operations in Scotland.   For any business at start up, early stage or sole trader status, we will require a pre-submission form to be completed in order to confirm eligibility and suitability for the Fund.

Innovation Centres and Research Pools can apply via their host academic institution partner and Interface can direct you to the relevant KE personnel who can support the application.   

The Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund will work on the same principles as the Scottish Funding Council’s Innovation Voucher programme with some additional allowances:

• Businesses who have previously collaborated with academia or have an existing relationship will still be eligible for consideration.
• Multi partner applications will be considered if there is a defined lead business and lead academic partner.
• An independent panel of experts will assess and approve applications.
• Previously unsuccessful applicants are eligible to apply again.
• Innovation Centres and Research Pools are eligible to apply through their lead / host university.

For any questions on eligibility or any other queries please contact: applications@interface-online.org.uk

Contact us if you do not have an academic partner or if you have any questions on the scheme: info@interface-online.org.uk.  Interface has connections into all Scottish academic institutions and established and efficient processes that can support and speed up finding and accessing the most appropriate academic expertise and facilities.

Eligible Costs

Funding awards up to £10,000 in value, which will cover the Scottish University, College, Research Institute or Innovation Centre’s project costs (e.g. time, facilities and consumables) in order to carry out the project and disseminate the project findings to the company and wider industry (if appropriate). Companies will need to contribute an equal value in kind i.e. staff time, materials, equipment and data supplied / collated or cash. The award will be paid to the lead academic partner’s institution.

Documents & Forms

Application Form  – The application form must be completed by both the academic and industry and then submitted by the academic institution.

Pre-submission Information – To be completed if the company or academic institution is uncertain of its eligibility.  We expect a pre-submission if the company is a start-up / pre-trading / sole trader / partnership if there is no track record / trading history or registered status to carry out due diligence with.

Terms & Conditions – Terms and Conditions of the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund

Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund Legal Agreement – The template legal agreement used by the collaborative organisation and university or college. Please note this is a condition of accepting the voucher award and the terms of this agreement are not subject to any amendment.

Case Studies

Past recipients of the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund have reaped significant benefits from this opportunity. Discover our case studies to explore the success stories of previous winners, including Serene Health Ltd, Smartify, Evolve Hydrogen and Ecomar Propulsion.

Download IICF Flyer here

The Interface team can discuss a number of different funding opportunities with you so please contact us or, for further information on general funding visit business.scotland.gov.uk/funding.

Discover a range of funding opportunities currently available:

National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) Innovation Voucher Scheme
The scheme has been developed to foster connections between NBIC academic research partners and regional companies by offering vouchers to subsidise the costs of collaborative projects which make use of the partner universities’ facilities and researchers.

Academic-industry partners can apply for up to £10,000 to support projects aligned with NBIC’s strategic themes to Prevent, Detect, Manage and Engineer biofilms. These projects should be focused on developing new products or services which help the industry partner innovate and grow as a business. Interface have supported in the development of this scheme and have integrated the application process into their Partner Portal.

TalEntEd Programme
Are you a business or third-sector organisation located in either Orkney, Shetland or the Outer Hebrides?

Are you working on emerging innovation that could lead to a new or improved product, service or process?

Are you interested in collaborating with Heriot-Watt University, the University of the Highlands & Islands or Robert Gordon University to advance your innovation?

If your answers to the above questions are ‘yes’, the TalEntEd – Innovation & Commercialisation project may be able to assist you by providing academic, financial and business development support to allow your innovation to take the next step towards adoption.

The Glasgow City Region Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF)
Glasgow City Region has announced a major £25 million funding call to accelerate the next wave of world-leading innovation, backing high-potential projects that can turn breakthrough research into real-world impact and drive growth across the region’s rapidly expanding health and life sciences sector.

The landmark ‘open call’ invites proposals that can turn breakthrough research into real-world impact – whether through commercialisation, product development, prototyping, tech transfer or patents. The initiative is designed to give high-potential innovators the support they need to scale faster and bring new technologies to market.

UKRI Translation: Proof of Concept (Pre-announcement)

Apply for funding for research commercialisation activities to develop new products, processes, and services via future venture creation, licensing or other commercialisation routes. Applications are welcomed from any discipline. The programme will not fund discovery or curiosity-driven research.

You must be based in a UK research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.

Innovation Seed Funding (SULSA)

This funding aims to foster new collaborative projects across the academic and industrial sector and drive novel and exciting research and innovation. Applications must focus on a topic that belongs to or is for the benefit of life and health sciences with a strong data or digital element.

Interface also work with a number of other organisations that offer funding to stimulate innovation. These include:

• Knowledge Transfer Partnership – accelerate business innovation by supporting knowledge exchange with academic institutions. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/knowledge-transfer-partnerships-what-they-are-and-how-to-apply
• SMART: SCOTLAND available pan Scotland – provides grants to Small / Medium Enterprises (SMEs) based in Scotland. The grant helps you undertake technical feasibility studies and research and development (R&D) projects that have a commercial endpoint: http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/develop-new-products-and-services/smart-scotland/overview
• Innovate UK Innovation grants for business – businesses and research organisations can apply to funding competitions to help them develop their innovations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/innovation-grants-for-business-apply-for-funding
• Intellectual asset protection – free, impartial advice to help your business identify, manage and exploit intellectual property assets – protecting your brand and ideas in overseas markets. (Any enquiries on IP for the South of Scotland should be directed to South of Scotland Enterprise.) For more information visit https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/support-for-businesses/develop-products-and-services/innovation-support
• Research and development (R&D) tax relief for SME’s – Corporation Tax relief for costs on research and development (R&D) if you’re a small or medium-sized enterprise. Learn More: Research and Development tax relief for small and medium-sized enterprises – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• R&D Grants: Discover further grant opportunities for research and development via Find Business Support: Find business support in Scotland – Find Business Support
• Converge Challenges: Designed to support university staff, students and recent graduates from across Scotland, our programme provides the knowledge, expertise and connections you need to develop and grow a thriving, sustainable business. Applications are currently closed.

Please note Interface do not manage any of the above funding streams. If you have specific enquires about them, please visit the associated websites and contact them directly. If you would like to discuss academic involvement with any of the funding opportunities please contact us.