We’re delighted to announce that Innovation Voucher funding has received a boost! Standard & Student Innovation Vouchers now offer a value of up to £7.5k.

Interface manages the Innovation Voucher Funding on behalf of the Scottish Funding Council, and since 2009 almost 1,900 Innovation Vouchers have been issued with a value of over £9.5m. Learn more here: Funding boost for collaborative innovation

Student Projects

This is an update to advise of fully funded student projects & placements that we have coming up over the next few months.  If you are interested in any of these please email Lorna ASAP as they are extremely popular and can sometimes be oversubscribed.

Topics include:

• Electronics & Electrical Engineering
  

  Closes 16th February
  Project types include machine learning and deep learning, technology for medicine, efficiency in transportation, safety monitoring systems, surveillance, entertainment, wireless communications, manufacturing and computing, renewable energy generation. 

• Business School
  

  Closes 30th January
  The project involves students being set a business challenge/project/ research topic. Previous topics include, how to improve the sustainability of a fulfilment centre, what role should XXX play in supporting a transition to net zero? How to reduce scope 3 emissions from a complex global supply chain? How to commercialise the benefits of being a sustainable company? Projects also include internationalisation, analytics, fintech, branding, business operations and Human Resources. 

• Design, Manufacturing and Engineering

  Closes 25th February
  These students have expertise in engineering management and mechatronics and automations. Topics include computer aided engineering design, mechatronic product development, computer modelling, system integration, rapid prototyping and computer visualisation.

Student Placements

Looking for industry clients that would be happy providing work experience for students whether it be a 2 week internship or a project to last a full semester.  Please note some of these may be paid placements, please check on enquiry.

• Applied Health Sciences – Closes end of February. Runs May-August ’24
• Industrial Biotechnology – Closes 31^st January. Runs for 12 weeks starting May ’24
• The Data Lab – Closes 31^st March. Runs 8-12 weeks
• Physics & Astronomy – Closes 9^th February. Runs for 8 weeks June-August ’24
• Computing Placements – Starting June ’24
• Hospitality & Tourism – Closes 14^th February. Runs for 6 months until August ’24
• Business Analytics –Runs for 4 weeks in March and summer months.
• Creative & Digital Marketing – Runs for 4 weeks in March and summer months
• Fashion Management – Runs for 4 weeks in March and summer months
• Housing Studies – Closes 30^th April. Runs for 50 days until September ‘24

Funding

This month we were delighted to announce that our Innovation Voucher funding received a boost in value! Both Standard & Student Innovation Vouchers now offer a value of up to £7.5k.

– Up to £7.5k Standard Innovation Voucher

These vouchers are to encourage new first-time collaboration between SMEs and a Scottish University or College. There are two types of Standard Innovation Vouchers:

• Product/Process/Service Innovation Voucher
• Workforce Innovation Voucher

– Up to £7.5k Student Placement Innovation Voucher

These are an opportunity to build on existing relationships between SMEs and a Scottish University or College to continue the development of a Standard Innovation Voucher award.

Depending on the nature of your proposed project we can also look at funding external to Interface such as SMART grants, Innovate UK etc.

Events

Chamber of Commerce Event DACC123

13 Feb 2024

Join Lorna at this this Chamber event which is open to non-members if you contact the Chamber of Commerce here: events@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk

An opportunity connect with businesses from across the region. The DACC123s offer the ideal chance to network with other members while taking advantage of a local company’s hospitality. You may network and form new relationships with business people across Dundee & Angus over lunch.

Please note that this event is usually open to members only. If you are not a member of Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce but are interested in how your business can get involved with the Dundee Loves Local campaign, please email events@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk and we’ll register you for this event!

Should you be interested in raising your profile across Dundee & Angus please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team to find out how your local Chamber can support you and your business membership@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk ⭐

Interface’s Impact in Tayside & Forth Valley

Highland Boundary 

Highland Boundary is a craft distillery based in Alyth, near Blairgowrie founded by Marian Bruce and Simon Montador who identified a gap in the market for Scandinavian-inspired spirits with the botanicals sourced from local woodlands.

Challenge

Although both Marian and Simon have significant experience in scientific research and business, they were keen to tap into academic expertise to support the development of their new products.

Solution

Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling expressed an interest in working with the company and Lorna, Interface’s Business Engagement Executive for the Tayside region, introduced the teams.