UHI innovation voucher scheme

Standard innovation vouchers

Standard innovation vouchers are aimed at new, first-time partnerships between a Scottish company and a university or college.

The value of a standard innovation voucher is between £1,000 and £5,000 which covers the academic project costs and is paid directly to the university/college.

The company contributes an equal value in cash or in-kind (e.g., staff time, materials, or equipment) or a combination of both. A company may only receive one standard innovation voucher with a university/college.

Following the completion of a standard voucher, there are other types of innovation vouchers available to continue the relationship.

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Student placement vouchers

Student placement vouchers are aimed at building on existing relationships between a Scottish company and a university or college. For example, following the completion of a standard innovation voucher there is the possibility of applying for a student placement voucher to continue the project.

Therefore, only small and medium-sized enterprises that have had a successful standard innovation voucher are eligible to apply.

The value of a student innovation voucher is between £1,000 and £5,000 which covers the academic project costs and is paid directly to the university or college. The company contributes an equal value in cash or in-kind (things like staff time, materials or equipment) or a combination of both.

The company must have suitable premises to host a student for the duration of the project and be able to identify a clearly defined issue or opportunity that will benefit from PhD/masters student interaction within their business, as well as offering skills and talent development for the postgraduate student.

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Advanced innovation vouchers

Advanced innovation vouchers are aimed at building sustained relationships between small and medium-sized companies and universities or colleges in Scotland who may have previously collaborated together, or for those companies who are beginning their collaborative journey with a university/college.

Unlike a standard or student placement voucher, the advanced innovation voucher offers a matched grant of up to the value of £20,000 on a sliding scale basis with a minimum cash contribution required from the company. The minimum grant for this type of voucher is £5,000.

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Criteria and more information

Projects under the innovation voucher scheme must be innovative (a novel/pioneering idea) and lead to new products, services or processes that will benefit the company, the academic institution, and the Scottish economy.

The standard and student placement innovation vouchers have rolling deadlines while the advanced innovation vouchers have set deadlines (to be confirmed for 2023).

A company may only receive one standard innovation voucher with a university or college, but the relationship may continue via a student placement or advanced voucher.

Innovation voucher projects cover all business sectors.

Benefits of an innovation voucher for business:

• Initial collaborations can develop into a long-lasting relationship with UHI
• Access to facilities, equipment, and off-the-shelf technologies
• Ability to access cutting edge research
• Proof of concept/prototype
• Project feasibility
• Increased credibility and competitiveness
• Help to boost local economies

Get in touch or apply

For more information, or to apply for an innovation voucher, please contact Interface in the first instance by emailing: info@interface-online.org.uk

Testimonials

EPIT Group

EPIT provides specialist training and assessment services for engineers working in hazardous and industrial environments.

“EPIT’s experience of working on an innovation voucher project has been a very positive one. We have found UHI Moray to be a highly skilled and knowledgeable partner.

“A standard innovation voucher was used to develop a proof-of-concept for the high voltage power generation and synchronisation simulator.

“The next stage for us was an advanced innovation voucher to enable EPIT and UHI Moray to continue working together in development of the product that will be used commercially by EPIT, in the UK and internationally, to deliver safety training.”

Martin Constable, Operations Director at EPIT Group

Mesomorphic Ltd

Mesomorphic creates bespoke software for small and medium sized enterprises and entrepreneurs using modern development methodologies.

“Working with UHI Moray on an innovation voucher project through the pandemic raised quite a few challenges on our timeline and resources however, UHI Moray went above and beyond to support the project.

“Working together has strengthened our relationship with UHI and as a result of this project we have made new contacts within the institution. This has opened new doors for joint projects in the future and as a company we look forward to further collaboration and supporting more UHI students in the future”.

Maria Bell, Managing Director at Mesomorphic Ltd

SwimWild

SwimWild offer coaching for swimmers of all ages and abilities across the Highlands and Islands.

“Working with UHI Moray on an innovation voucher project has been a rewarding adventure for SwimWild. It has opened up the possibilities of developing an app to help people find swimming groups and service providers around Scotland. The proof-of-concept developed so far is a great prototype and we look forward to working with UHI Moray on the next stage”.

Alice Goodridge, Founder of SwimWild