Tag: Innovation

UWE Bristol awarded ICA Mentorship Scheme by the National Institute for Health Research

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

UWE Bristol has been awarded the opportunity to deliver the ICA Mentorship Scheme from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The ICA Mentorship Scheme offers individuals holding doctoral or post-doctoral ICA awards the opportunity for free one-to-one clinical academic career mentorship by an appropriate mentor.

The scheme is positively received and recognised as providing a crucial layer of support to aspirant clinical academic awardees. As a result, and following agreements between HEE, NIHR and Versus Arthritis (a merger of Arthritis Care and Arthritis Research UK) mentorship through the scheme is also available to approved NIHR Fellowship awardees and nominated Versus Arthritis fellows.

UWE Bristol is in a unique position to be able to offer the ICA mentorship scheme through the combination of the UWE Bristol Business School (BBS), which offers accredited training in ‘Coaching and Mentorship’, and the multidisciplinary team of clinical academics that are hosted by the Centre for Health and Clinical Research (CHCR). The partnership across faculties within the university will provide an excellent opportunity to enhance and develop the existing ICA mentorship scheme.

The award commences 01 November 2021 and runs to October 2023, with the possibility to extend.

Fiona Cramp, Director of the Centre for Health & Clinical Research and Professor in Long Term Conditions, commented:

“We are delighted that UWE Bristol has been selected to deliver the mentorship programme for the ICA awardees; mentoring is an incredibly valuable aspect of the individual’s journey and will optimise their development during and after the funding period.  We look forward to bringing together a cadre of clinical academic mentors from throughout the UK to work with us in delivering this exciting programme.”

Lynda Williams, Associate Director Stakeholder Engagement Bristol Business School and Bristol Law School, commented

“The Business School is delighted to work with our colleagues from CHCR in delivering the mentorship programme for the ICA awardees. We feel that our individual areas of expertise will complement each other well to provide an excellent partnership and learning opportunity for ICA awardees.”

Find out more about the scheme.

Information from the partners:

Health Education England (HEE) was established on 28 June 2012, working as a shadow Special Health Authority from 1 October 2012. It took on its full operational responsibilities from1 April 2013. It has five national functions:

  • providing national leadership on planning and developing the healthcare and public health workforce;
  • promoting high quality education and training that is responsive to the changing needs of patients and local communities, including responsibility for ensuring the effective delivery of important national functions such as medical trainee recruitment;
  • ensuring security of supply of the health and public health workforce;
  • appointing and supporting the development of LETBs; and
  • allocating and accounting for NHS education and training resources and the outcomes achieved.

For more information on HEE visit our website or follow us on Twitter– or Facebook.

The mission of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

  • Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
  • Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
  • Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
  • Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
  • Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
  • Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.

Digital Skills short courses and bootcamps

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

In our fast-evolving digital world, digital skills are vital. For businesses and individuals alike, a strong set of digital skills can help to navigate through the constantly changing digital environment.

At UWE Bristol, we want to support individuals and businesses on their digital journey. We have a range of skills short courses to suit a wide variety of needs including cyber security, data science and artificial intelligence; and games development.

Some of our skills courses are fully funded or have discounts available to those eligible. Find out about how we can support your business or individual needs below.

The future is digital. The future is now.

Commercial Games Development

This bootcamp introduces games development and how to create immersive, entertainment experiences in context of what makes game products engaging and commercially successful. The first half of the course is designed to build professional skills and software competency. The second half specialises in the development of a “vertical slice” game demo for prospective employers from commercial studios as a portfolio piece, or to form the basis of a portfolio ahead of self-employment. There is also the opportunity to learn about the application of games technology for commercial purposes other than those solely for entertainment.

This 16-week programme will provide you with an overview of how games are developed, towards a goal of polished, engaging entertainment products across a range of sectors. Central to your experience will be training in Unity; a game engine and real-time development platform with many applications both inside and outside the entertainment industry.

Find out more here.

Games Technology

The industrial application of games technology bootcamp has been developed through collaboration between senior academics with professional games industry experience and a rich array of serious games, immersive learning and visualisation/simulation projects behind them, in conjunction with small and medium Bristol-based game companies and start-ups and the Foundry Technology Affinity Space at UWE Bristol.

This bootcamp introduces games development and how games technology can be used to create engaging, immersive, games and non-game experiences for industry and the workplace.

Find out more here.

Cyber Security Bootcamp

Technology is transforming society; from how we do business to how we socialise, travel and communicate and we are increasingly dependent on the computer systems that drive these processes. This dependency means that we’re vulnerable to cyber-attacks; our personal data can be stolen, and our national institutions, critical infrastructure and the technology that drives our society can be compromised.

The Cyber Security sector is growing, and demand for Cyber Security specialists is growing exponentially across all sectors of the economy including public and private enterprises, both large and small, and critical national infrastructure, such as energy, transport, water and finance.

Find out more.

Zero Carbon Bootcamp

More information to follow. Please complete this short form to be the first to hear about this course.

Data Science & AI

  • Full details to follow
  • Closed cohort of women
  • Cohort aimed at 19-25 year olds but open to all
  • Will learn mathematics and computer programming, data science, software development, machine learning & AI approaches
  • Funded by the West of England Combined Authority

Apply via the website, or directly via the ROI form.

UX Design

  • Full details to follow
  • Closed cohort for those living with health conditions or impairments
  • Learn advanced aspects of UX design for digital platforms, responsive design for smart phones and robots, access ‘Disability confident’ employment and understand UX design trends
  • Funded by the West of England Combined Authority

Apply via the website, or directly via the ROI form.

Cloud-based Skills

  • Full details to follow
  • Delivered by Weston College in Partnership with Microsoft Learn
  • Cohort aimed at 19-25 year olds but open to all
  • Master Microsoft cloud-based apps
  • Understand and use Microsoft Power Platforms
  • Funded by the West of England Combined Authority

Apply via the website, or directly via the ROI form.

Two-day Innovation and bid writing workshop

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

Tues 21 & Wed 22 Sept, 09:00 – 16:30

Develop an innovative business idea and learn how to get funding for your project. This 2 day in-person course (based in Swindon, venue tbc) offered by the Innovation 4 Growth programme (I4G) is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is free to SMEs, start-ups or small charities in the Swindon & Wiltshire region.

This course is aimed at ambitious businesses working on an innovation project. We are looking for SMEs that want to develop their innovative ideas, cultivate their narrative around the project and are working towards further funding and investment.

We are delivering this course while our Innovation 4 Growth grant funding is available and hope that some participants will use the workshop to create, or further progress their project idea to then successfully apply for an I4G grant.

Places are limited to 20 SMEs, and we welcome prestart as well as established businesses, the content will be relevant to all sizes of SME.

Register to book your place now.

Introduction

As markets and conditions recover, investing in innovation is key to helping businesses future proof, grow their markets and adapt to opportunities. This intensive 2-day workshop is for SMEs that are responding to new opportunities and looking to disrupt the market through innovation.

You may already have a great idea that needs developing or you are looking for some headspace to figure it out. This comprehensive course helps you to define your proposition in terms of innovation; familiarise you with the funding landscape, develop your pitch and hone your bid writing skills.

What will you get from this course?

It is a practical workshop with plenty of discussion and interaction, with time allowed to develop your project as we work through each section.

This course is available to SMEs working towards an innovation project.

We will:

  • Introduce you to the fundamentals of bringing innovation into your business.
  • Give you essential innovation tools to help you generate creative ideas, as well as evaluate and test them for your business.
  • Improve your understanding of how innovation projects can be funded and how to write winning bids.
  • Provide you with the confidence, practical skills and techniques to pitch your idea.
  • Support your application for our Innovation 4 Growth grant fund and create a foundation for future applications.

As places are limited, we request that you commit to the full two-day programme. We expect participants to work in small collaborative groups and engage in peer-to-peer learning.

Is this course for you?

This course is designed to be relevant for SMEs or small charities that are developing innovative ideas and wish to turn these ideas into successful new products or services. We will help you to articulate your innovation projects and take them to the next stage.

This in-person course is funded by the ERDF and is free to SMEs in the Swindon & Wiltshire region. We have limited spaces as the sessions are designed to be interactive. Apply here stating your business, area of interest and why you should be selected for the programme.

Timings

Doors open at 9:00 for coffee and networking. Lunch will be provided at 12:30pm-13:30pm.

Tuesday 21 Sept – Day 1 :

  • 9:30 – 10:30: Intrapreneurship – creating an intrapreneurial mindset for growth with Shane Moore
  • 10:30 – 14:30 (including an hour break for lunch): Innovation and Ideation: how to solve your challenges with Aimee Skinner
  • 14:30 – 16:30: The Innovation Narrative: Pitching your idea with Lucy Paine

Wednesday 22 Sept – Day 2:

  • 9:30 – 12:30: Introduction to Funding & Investment with Mark Corderoy
  • 13:30 – 16:30: How to write an innovation funding bid with Alan Gould

Terms

Available for SMEs in the Swindon & Wiltshire LEP Region.
Places are limited to 20 SMEs. Get in touch if you have any questions innovation4growth@uwe.ac.uk.

Click here to register your interest in this workshop.

Notes:

This event is delivered by the Innovation 4 Growth programme and funded by the ERDF for the benefit of SMEs in the Swindon & Wiltshire Region. Your attendance at this event will count towards State Aid and by participating you are agreeing to ERDF business support and the accompanying documentation.

European Regional Development Fund:
The project will receive funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.

Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit here.

UWE Bristol’s Launch Space open for applications

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

UWE Bristol’s Launch Space Incubator is now open for applications from aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage businesses. Based within the University Enterprise Zone (UEZ), Launch Space is home to high-tech, innovative start-ups with a strong focus on research and development. Applications are now open for the free business support, incubation, and acceleration services we provide for graduate entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses.

The Launch Space incubator and accelerator could be the place for you if:

  • you have a business idea you’d like to put into action
  • you’re a recent graduate, or in the early stages of developing your idea
  • you need support to validate and develop your business further.

With access to communal networking areas, use of professional meeting rooms, and on-site hot-desks, you can get ready to launch your business. Launch Space is home to existing graduate-led businesses at various stages on the start-up journey, so you’ll be working alongside others who have a common goal of making their vision a success.

Launch Space is open to graduate-led, or early stage, businesses with high-growth potential. We’re looking for those that are working on products and services across key themes:

  • Health and life science
  • Advanced engineering
  • Digital futures
  • Sustainability and climate change

Our new Launch Space programme will kick off with an exciting Induction day onsite in early October. Meet your peers, say hi to our Innovation team, and get your first glimpse of the science and tech community in our University Enterprise Zone.

A weekly programme of pitch events, boardroom advisor sessions and coaching sessions will kick start your start-up journey and help bring your idea to life.

If you’re a graduate entrepreneur, you may also be able to benefit from a £6,000 bursary to support you, while you focus on your new business.

Interested businesses will need to complete a short application form before being invited to an interview. Find out more about the application process here.

Mark Corderoy, Entrepreneur in Residence UEZ, commented:

“We are excited to be able to accept new applications to Launch Space. Launch Space gives those starting out or recent graduates with a business idea the support to be able to really focus on their start-up. The 1-on-1 support and access to expertise and facilities is invaluable for any new business”.

Find out more here.

UWE Bristol and Future Space listed as top Innovators in region

Author rachelpyke | Posted on

TechSPARK recently produced their list of top entrepreneurs, techies and innovators who they have named the Top Innovators in the region.

TechSPARK is a not-for-profit network dedicated to connecting, educating and strengthening the digi-tech cluster in the West. They work with tech and digital businesses from Startups to Scaleups, SME’s to Global Corporations based in the region to help them to grow.

In 2019 TechSPARK compiled a list of top innovators from across the region to celebrate and recognise their achievements. We were delighted that the 2021 list featured Aimee Skinner, Innovation Manager at Future Space and Mark Corderoy, Entrepreneur in Residence at UWE Bristol.

Aimee said:

“I am thrilled to have been named as one of the region’s top 75 innovators. The list is brimming with innovative thinkers, future leaders, and entrepreneurs, and I am proud to be considered amongst them.”

Aimee has background in Environmental Science and a decade of continuous improvement experience in regulated industries. She is currently Innovation Manager at Future Space, as well as co-managing Bristol Innovators’ Group. Future Space is part of the University Enterprise Zone, based on UWE Bristol Frenchay campus, and managed by Oxford Innovation. In her role she actively supports the growth of start-ups and SMEs within the South West, providing a range of business support and advisory services, as well as running University engagement opportunities, such as a dedicated Internship programme for resident businesses.

Mark said:

“It’s really pleasing that our work in the University Enterprise Zone is being recognised. Launching a start-up is an ambitious venture for anyone, and we are always trying to find new ways to help these companies succeed.”

With a background in engineering and technology in a variety of commercial settings, Mark is an experienced Technologist and Mentor. He has been at UWE Bristol for last four years as Incubation Manager for the Bristol Robotics Laboratory the leading and largest academic centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research in the UK and also Incubation Manager for Launch Space, a programme that provides business support and space to start-up businesses in UWE Bristol’s Enterprise Zone.

To contact Aimee email ASkinner@oxin.co.uk and to contact Mark email Mark.Corderoy@uwe.ac.uk .



Innovative SMEs gather to develop their digital innovation business ideas

Author rachelpyke | Posted on

On the 7 and 8 July 2021, UWE Bristol hosted an in person innovation workshop for SMEs in the region. The workshop was funded as part of UWE Bristol’s Digital Innovation Fund, which was is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Innovation leads came together to deliver interactive creative workshops to SMEs. The sessions provided much needed time for small business owners to get away from their desks or kitchen table. For most this was the first time since early 2020 that they had been in a workshop or networking environment. The attendees worked on innovative ideas with like-minded people and got their mindset and innovative concepts ready for funding. The delivery team included Thanh Quan-Nicholls (Digital Innovation), Aimee Skinner (Future Space), Mark Corderoy (Launch Space), Lucy Paine (Innovation for Growth) and Alan Gould (Lightholm Consulting).

The workshops were held at at Future Space, part of the University Enterprise Zone.

Businesses learnt techniques for ideation, honed their pitching skills, learnt about investment and funding, and fine-tuned their bid-writing skills. Businesses also had to rapidly solve problems, pitched for chocolate and became bid reviewers. Future Space transformed their networking space into a spacious and safe area for businesses to gather and it was wonderful to see the space so lively!

Thanh Quan-Nicholls, Digital Innovation Lead UWE says:

“So much has changed over this last year and as the markets recover it is important for SMEs to dedicate time for innovation as this will be the key to their future competitiveness and growth.

It was great after so long to see businesses working together in person – at these events, businesses also learn from each other and this is the part that is hardest to recreate remotely. Businesses told us they find meeting other innovative businesses empowering and motivating. The warm and inspiring cohort reminded us of best of the region’s spirit of collaboration and diversity.”

The businesses sectors were very wide-ranging, including creative technologies, visitor economy, edtech, legaltech, not-for-profits, engineering, software and marketing. They included new start-ups right through to established businesses.

Businesses attending get to bid over the next few weeks for micro grants of up to £5000 to implement their ideas. This forms part of UWE’s commitment to providing a supportive and accessible business infrastructure.

Tracey John, Director of RBI says:

“Putting time into upskilling disruptive businesses and helping them access new opportunities is a key part of ensuring diversity and economic growth. We are creating a pipeline of innovative and ambitious businesses for the future.”

Find out more about the Digital Innovation Fund here.

UWE Bristol launches new funding scheme to support SMEs with research and development projects in Swindon & Wiltshire

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

UWE Bristol are launching a new round of Innovation 4 Growth, a funding programme that supports SMEs in Swindon & Wiltshire undertaking innovative research and development (R&D) projects. 

SMEs can apply for grants of £10,000 to £40,000 to help their projects, with the programme covering 35% of project costs. 

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and delivered by UWE Bristol, Innovation 4 Growth is open to projects from all sectors,creating new products, new services and new jobs in the region. Applicants must be small or medium sized enterprises and based in Swindon & Wiltshire. 

Businesses can access dedicated support from a team of experts at UWE Bristol to help businesses develop project ideas and submit grant applications.

Register your interest for an application form and one to one support at www.innovation4growth.co.uk. 

The programme is also hosting a series of free training workshops, starting on 11 May 2021, for SMEs in Swindon & Wiltshire to support them to develop innovative products, processes, technologies, and services. The workshops will be suitable for SMEs at any stage that want to innovate and grow their businesses. Register your interest for more information and an invite to sign up at www.innovation4growth.co.uk.

Professor Martin Boddy, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at UWE Bristol, said: “UWE Bristol is proud to be supporting SMEs in Swindon & Wiltshire. This programme aims to support companies to realise their potential through innovation and R&D. The Innovation 4 Growth programme in the West of England has supported hundreds of companies, giving out £1.5m of grants and created 130 jobs. We are excited to be able to bring Innovation 4 Growth to Swindon & Wiltshire and look forward to working with the region’s SMEs.”

Paddy Bradley, Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership CEO, said of the scheme: “SMEs are the beating heart of our local economy and we welcome this effective grant funding programme to the area. Targeting innovation through funding research and development programmes will help elevate our region through job creation, skills development and new to market products. I am looking forward to seeing the work that comes out of this exciting programme.”

UWE Bristol are currently running a separate funding scheme for SMEs in Gloucestershire who want to apply for grant funding to scale up. Find out more about Scale Up 4 Growth here. SMEs in the West of England can access free Digital Support from UWE Bristol, find out more here.

Notes to editors

Swindon & Wiltshire Innovation 4 Growth is a business support programme delivered by UWE Bristol and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Swindon & Wiltshire Innovation 4 Growth will receive up to £760,000 of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme 2014-2020.  The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, the ERDF helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, job creation and local community regeneration.

Research, Business and Innovation Director Tracey John named Higher Education Hero from University Alliance

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

Director of Research, Business and Innovation (RBI) at UWE Bristol, Tracey John, has been named a ‘HE Leaders & Heroes’ from the University Alliance as part of their Inspiring Women of the Alliance, as part of their International Women’s Day celebrations.

University Alliance (UA) is the voice of professional and technical universities. They represent large to mid-sized universities working at the heart of their communities. Alliance Universities partner with industry and the professions to deliver the workforce of today and tomorrow through practical, skills-based learning and applied research.

For International Womens Day on Monday 8 March, they celebrated the Inspirational women of the Alliance – those women working in their member universities who have been nominated by their peers and colleagues for their inspirational leadership, outstanding contribution to their field, and work championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Tracey was nominated HE leaders and heroes category and was put forward for her energy, clarity and vision. The category represents the amazing women who are leading the way in Higher Education, forging a path and inspiring students and colleagues with their drive, passion and commitment to the sector.

Find out more here.  

Access to Justice: Open Source LegalTech Hackathon 19, 24 and 31 March

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

How do we use technology better to help those that need it most? 

The Challenge

Bringing the legal industry together with third sector, technologists and innovators, to rapidly design ideas on how we can purposefully use open source technology to ensure access to justice for all. We are calling for SMEs in the West of England to be part of an event that will rapidly prototype solutions for improved legal opportunities and legal service outreach. Together we will build a collaborative community that is focussed on solving problems for all.

Why Access to Justice?

The pandemic is widening the justice gap, with a sharp increase in the problems that many people face at a time when it is harder to get legal support. It has exacerbated many justice issues for those in vulnerable groups and low-income communities who are hardest hit by job or rental insecurity, homelessness and eviction, cybercrime and reduced access to criminal justice systems – now more than ever there are more people needing access to legal advice and help with understanding their rights.

What is a hackathon?

A hackathon is a competition, usually held over the course of a couple of days. It is a collaboration between small teams of business people and software developers to develop a product, service or platform that addresses a specific challenge. It is an opportunity for people with a common goal to come together to harness their ideas and build solutions for the future. We will bring together the growing legaltech community across the West of England area and take this diverse group through a creative design sprint process to rapidly develop and prototype ideas/demonstrators.

The event culminates in a pitching competition before a panel of judges, who score the pitches along the challenge criteria and select a winner. We will run workshops to help participants can learn more about the subject of the challenge and the capabilities of open source – in our case, justice, legal services, lawtech and using open source technologies to enable access to justice.

We are inviting registrations from SMEs across the region who deliver justice, advice, support, technology, business and innovation. Spaces are limited, so register now. Participation in the hackathon is by selection. Registration does not guarantee a place. We will notify the final participants separately by email.

SMEs: Register here

If you are not an SME or you are not based in the West of England but you wish to be part of the LegalTech hackathon delivery or to join the wider network, please contact Thanh Quan-Nicholls Thanh.quan-nicholls@uwe.ac.uk to discuss this further or register here.

How to take part and Key Dates

  • Sign up to the Open Source LegalTech Hackathon here.
  • You will need to commit to all three days plus a minimum of 4 hours working as a remote team on your legaltech solution during that week.
  • You will need a computer or laptop with a camera, internet access, ability to download meeting apps and file sharing software such as Zoom, MS Teams, Github, Slack etc and somewhere to work where you won’t disturb others.
  • Each team will have a mentor who will help organise, support prototyping and problem solve any issues.
  • Hackathon Days: 19 March, 24 March and 31 March, 9:30am – 1.30pm

View the full hackathon guidance here.

This event is delivered by the Digital Innovation Fund and funded by the ERDF for the benefit of SMEs in the West of England. We will be guiding SMEs and Social Enterprises through the enterprise innovation and ideation process, creative design sprints and agile working practices to support new product design, improve resource efficiency and R&D activities. Your attendance at this event will count towards to State Aid and by participating, you are agreeing to ERDF business support and accompanying documentation

European Regional Development Fund:

The project will receive funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.  The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.

Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit here.

West of England region: All organisations with a presence in Bristol, Bath, BANES and South Gloucestershire.

Top Tips for Bid Writing for Innovation Funds

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

Thanh Quan-Nicholls, our Digital Innovation Lead says that there has been a meteoric rise in the availability of grants for business innovation but they can be difficult to navigate.  She has spoken to many companies this year because we provided 121 support for companies looking to apply for grants to schemes such as the Digital Innovation Fund.  There are common themes that come up so, here are her top tips:

     1. Make sure you have an innovative idea

For lean disruptive start-ups, embedding innovation is natural, but for others, it requires a change in mindset or culture. Make sure you explore future technologies, new business models and innovative design.  With customer needs changing fast, it’s a great time to be looking at new ways to apply existing technologies, creating new services or products, and developing disruptive business ideas.  Innovation funding provided by the public sector is intended to widen knowledge, further capabilities and bring economic growth. 

     2. Explain your innovation

If you are close to your project, it can be hard to explain why your idea is novel. Get help to apply a critical eye to your application. To be credible, you should become an expert in your field. The bid will be reviewed by industry experts, so there is no shortcut to doing your research: identify competitors and similar products, know your market or sector, understand your technology and why you are breaking new ground. 

     3. Be positive

Remember that this is an exercise in persuasive writing to convince your audience of your great idea.  You want to excite them and get them to support your project.  For grant funding, this is not just about the end user or customer, the funder wants to know that you are delivering wider impacts. There is no room for doubt – be bold, be optimistic and describe your innovation idea in a way that excites your reader. 

     4. Demonstrate your capabilities

To demonstrate that you can deliver, get your financial information ready, have a team with the right skills, and show that you understand your route to market. Gaps here will seriously jeopardise your chances of being funded. Increase your chances of success by assessing your capabilities objectively and mitigate any weaknesses.

     5. Read the guidance & answer the questions

Some people fail to answer the specifics of the questions being asked.  Avoid this pitfall by reading the guidance closely.  Your application will be read and scored by reviewers who are working to an assessment criteria. Targeting your answer will ensure that you will maximise your score.

     6. Give yourself enough time

Quality applications benefit from time and effort. Remember to give yourself enough time to fine tune your bid. Get team members with differing strengths involved at different stages.  

If you don’t understand the jargon or processes, most funders will be happy to talk to you.  It might not be obvious, but funders want to give away their money!  They are keen to get applications that are innovative, exciting, impactful and deliverable.  

     7. Find the right fund for your project

There are many funds out there – nationally and locally.  

The chances of succeeding can vary depending on how many applications are submitted and how high the standards are across the board.  As a rule, there is more competition for national or larger funds than smaller, local funds.  Assess your chances wisely. There is no single list because these funds are short-lived and change constantly. You need to sign up to bulletins and newsletters, and be ready to take advantage of the next opportunity.  

And finally, it’s important to recognise that receiving funding takes time and energy.  In most cases, companies are signing up to a reporting back process beyond the life of their project. But the recipe for success is about matching the right project with the right fund, taking time to prepare a strong application and avoid the common pitfalls.

Win or lose, there are intangible benefits of bid writing – businesses say that going through an application process helps them to clarify their own proposition.  And often companies who get funding once, go on to receive more. Many will use the same skills to attract further investment.

So, if you are thinking about delivering innovative projects, don’t miss out. Have a look at what support you can get – there is plenty out there!

Thanh Quan-Nicholls is lead for UWE Bristol’s Digital Innovation Fund. Round 2 is now open,  closing to applications on 18 November 2020.  For more information and to register for an application pack visit:  www.digitalinnovationfund.co.uk.

Back to top