Other Innovation SupportThere is a range of innovation support available for businesses throughout Northern Ireland. Here you get a flavour of the type of programmes which businesses can become involved, many of these are part funded.
Innovation Vouchers
• Are you a registered business with fewer than 50 employees?
• Could you benefit from accessing University/College expertise to solve a business problem?
Businesses in Northern Ireland can apply for Innovation Vouchers worth £4000 from Invest NI to access knowledge and expertise from one of the 38 universities, colleges and other publicly funded research organisations throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in order to develop innovation business solutions to business issues.
To find out more about the Innovation Voucher Initiative go to www.innovationvouchers.com
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are government funded programmes enabling businesses to access knowledge and skills from the UK’s knowledge base. They involve high quality graduates working in the company on the specified project for a 12 – 36 month period with supervision from company staff and academic staff. The project is supported by funding of up to 60% for SMEs.
For more information on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships visit
www.ktponline.org.uk
Grants for R&D
This Invest NI programme supports businesses interested in investing in Research and Development (R&D). Businesses can receive support to define an R&D project or apply to receive funding from Invest NI to undertake an R&D project.
More details on the Grants for R&D programme can be found at
http://www.investni.com/index/grow/research_and_development/grant_for_r_d.htm
Business Innovation Link
Do you have an innovative idea, design or invention that is patentable and has commercial potential?
The Business Innovation Link (BIL) provides Northern Ireland’s inventors or innovators with financial support and assistance for new product ideas. If your idea is of patentable quality and capable of being commercialised with real market potential, then BIL may provide assistance in developing your product.
Visit www.bil-ni.co.uk for more information.
