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 

Submission deadline is 5pm on Friday 7th November 2025.

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