
Description
Funding is available from the Energy Challenge Fund for short-term collaborative energy projects between º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Energy researchers and industry.
Expertise, funding and facilities are available to help progress your business ideas with the Energy Innovation Team. Here are some more details:
- Grants are available up to £5000
- Project lengths typically between 1-6 months
- Projects are delivered in collaboration with a public-sector organisation or company and º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½
- The Challenge fund will cover academic project costs and is paid directly to º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½
- Projects can involve multiple º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ academic partners
- Preference will be given to companies which have a contribution in cash or in-kind (e.g., staff time, materials)
View some of our Challenge Fund case studies here.
Aims
- Address business and social enterprise-led challenges that can be tackled through accessing university expertise across different sectors.
- Enable enhanced engagement between the university and innovative local companies.
- Encourage projects that involve collaboration across the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ partnership.

Uses
The Challenge fund can be used for the following types of activity:
- To undertake market / information gathering visits to client or proposed development site / facility, to understand the context and business opportunity prior to proposal development.
- To undertake subject / sector reviews, preliminary scoping or research feasibility including meetings with potential partners, funding bodies etc. leading to a KE / innovation proposal.
- To scope out the needs of translational research projects involving multiple partners leading to large collaborative proposal to new funding calls.
- To develop a new concept via workshop / round table or focus group on novel / emerging science areas to obtain perspectives from diverse stakeholders on way forward.
- To prepare or adapt existing products and services (e.g., models, methods, decision tools, etc.) for discussions with a new potential client / business.
A successful º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Energy Challenge Fund Application will be one that is ultimately beneficial to commercially relevant energy activities at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, and have ongoing, or follow-on potential, whether that be of an academic or entrepreneurial nature.
Next Steps
If you have a project idea please contact the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Energy Innovation Team who can identify suitable partners within the University.
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Staff are welcome to propose projects and if you have a project idea in mind please contact the Energy Innovation team who can try and connect you to an industry partner.