A portal to help researchers and businesses find funding for knowledge transfer
opportunities has been launched today. Research Councils UK have created a 'one-stop-shop'
which gives details of all seven research councils' knowledge transfer schemes and
activities and how to get involved.
The activities are divided into four areas: Collaborative Research; Collaborative
Training; People Exchange; and Commercialisation and Development. Portal users can
read a brief description of each activity and then click straight through to the
relevant website for further information.
A case studies section provides real life examples of how Research Council knowledge
transfer funding has helped entrepreneurs such as Tim Hart who, inspired by winning
a Biotechnology YES award, set up his own company, Cybersense Biosystems. He now
not only sponsors the "Best Entrepreneur" award at the annual YES competition but
has recently been awarded Industrial CASE funding to support a three-year PhD student
with a local university.
Richard Brown, CEO of the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE), welcomed
the portal. "I am delighted that such a useful tool is being launched", he said.
"The benefit to businesses of having a single point of access for finding out about
knowledge transfer funding schemes is immense. Industry is always looking for exciting
and innovative ways to partner with universities and develop knowledge that can
help them pull out of the recession. This will help them."
Alison Campbell, MD of King's College London Business Ltd, also praised the portal.
"This is a great initiative," she said. "Providing a gateway for business and the
public sector to access the wealth of knowledge and expertise available at research
institutions is essential for the UK as a knowledge economy. The portal will complement
our own services creating significant partnerships to maximise innovation and to
add value to our partners’ business goals and help increase their global effectiveness."
Philip Esler, speaking on behalf of the Research Councils, said: "I warmly welcome
the launch of the Research Councils UK Knowledge Transfer Portal. It is a clear
demonstration of the Research Councils' role in supporting innovation and providing
guidance to the UK research base. We continue to engender a culture in which research
partnerships and the exploitation of research are encouraged, valued and rewarded."
Research Councils UK are also launching the RCUK Knowledge Transfer Consultation
which will remain open until the summer. RCUK hope to gather valuable feedback regarding
their knowledge transfer activities from their stakeholders in knowledge transfer.
This will contribute to the continued improvement of Research Council business and
processes in knowledge transfer. The consultation can be accessed via the KT Portal
homepage.
- ends -
Notes
The RCUK Knowledge Transfer Portal can be found
here.
The RCUK Knowledge Transfer Consultation can be found
here.
About Research Councils UK
The seven Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded
by the Science and Research Budget through the Department of Innovation, Universities
and Skills (DIUS). They are incorporated by Royal Charter and together manage a
research budget of around £3 billion a year.
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's seven Research
Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together to champion the research,
training and innovation they support.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Contact
Chloë Somers
RCUK Press Officer
Tel: 01793 444592