“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” - Benjamin Franklin Learn Engage Create Module : Preparation This project has been funded with support from the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Programme. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Preparation There are no barriers that you cannot overcome with correct preparation. Learn how to identify potential Public Research Organisations (PROs) to collaborate with Offer guidelines on selecting PROs to work with Provide you with good practice guidelines for collaboration activities Outline the range of EU and National funding available, so that you can initially assess their suitability; and provide contact details for you to explore the option more fully 2 Our aims for this session

"Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you've fed him for a lifetime.“ - Confucius 3

Identifying Good Partners 4

Exercise For one of the businesses or projects in the class, in groups, come up with ten ways to identify potential HEI partners for this business/project (5 mins.) 5

Sources Your Own Communication Channels: website, newsletters University Research Portal sites e.g. University Technology Offer sites e.g. Scientific/Academic Publications Patents Scientific Conferences Seminars and other form of direct interaction Projects within the EU Framework Programme Intermediaries - local Intermediaries - EU Internal Company Contacts – your staff! Professional Social Networks e.g. LinkedIn For CCI especially: – clients, current cooperation partners and end consumers 6

So, what makes a good partnership? 7 Just getting along?

Research shows a Good Partnership = Good outcomes are a result of demonstrated commitment 8 TRUST STABILITY

Our Advice for Good Partnership Start small (especially for first time SMEs) Recognise the differing motivations Availability of funding Treat collaboration strategically Align interests Organize for lasting relationships Provide the right professional skills Establish clear intent Use standard practices (next session) and communicate regularly Achieve effective management of intellectual property Provide relevant training 9

Small Scale Collaborations - In a Nutshell 10

Preparation Meeting of University Professor & Senior Management Objectives of project collaboratively defined Discreet and not complex Define the project tasks Agree intermediate milestones Aim is to solve the company’s organisational or technical problem 11

Some case studies… – See, especially in reference to CCIs, 12 There are lots of case studies, search google video with the term “innovation voucher” If you know the business make-up prior to course, identify some similar type business case studies

More video case studies … 13 The University perspective (Waterford IT) Shasta Baby Products – Innovation Voucher

Large-scale Collaboration 14

Guiding principles Publish without delay Prioritise training new graduates Competent use of available knowledge Effective steps to secure commercialization 15

How to achieve Positive Outcomes Overcome common difficulties such as diverging cultures, volatile relationships Address human tendency to “keep things close to the chest.” Understand and respect what is important to others as well as to yourself 16

Keys to success Eliminate problems early Negotiate IP management Agree ownership of results Decide on exclusivity of use Provide for equitable compensation Ensure fair returns in the event of successful commercialisation 17

Collaborative Research Agreement What is a collaborative research agreement? In groups outline what you think might should be included in a CRA – What would be the key considerations for an SME? – What will be the key considerations for an HEI? 18

What is included in a CRA? Definitions, identification of parties, objectives and partner selection Confidential information Scope Resources Funding and pricing Governance and coordination Reporting 19

Identifying Funding Horizon 2020 National Sources 20

What is the Horizon 2020 Programme? 21

Horizon 2020 in a nutshell… Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) It promises more breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market Horizon 2020 is open to everyone, with a simple structure that reduces red tape and time so participants can focus on what is really important Horizon 2020 stimulates SME participation across the whole programme, yet with a particular focus on close-to-market support 22

Local Sources of Funding - NI Invest NI Knowledge Transfer Programme Innovation Vouchers Intertrade Ireland 23

Invest NI support for Innovation Collaboration Technical Advisory Unit (TAU) Technical Development Incentive (TDI) Scheme Innovation Vouchers 24

TAU - What do they do? Guidance & support on a wide range of technical issues: – Technical information and problem solving – Advice and information on technical and legislative issues – Intellectual Property advice – Management Systems (quality, environmental, safety etc) – Technical Compliance Issues eg CE Marking Financial support: – Technical Development Incentive (TDI) Scheme – Innovation Vouchers 25

Technical Development Incentive TDI is financial support to SMEs to address technical and quality related issues such as: New technologies or processes Product & process problem resolution Product approval/ type testing Intellectual Property Improved product design & performance Quality/Integrated management systems Max grant of £5,000 (at up to 50% of project costs) – Projects costing between £500 and £15,000 Further information – Kieran McGuinness

Innovation Vouchers £4000 voucher to encourage small registered enterprises to engage with a Knowledge Provider to develop an innovative solution to a business issue Companies can apply for up to 3 vouchers for different projects but may only have 1 ‘live’ voucher at a time Pooled voucher option for collaborative projects (up to 10 companies) Around 700 vouchers issued to date 27

Knowledge Providers 41 Knowledge Providers throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland Universities, Colleges, Institutes of Technology and other research bodies More information at The company chooses which Knowledge Provider to use 28

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is Europe’s leading programme helping businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base. 29

KTP Essential Features 30 Credits: KTP Office at Queen’s University Belfast

Some KTP Specifics Project length months At least 1 Graduate (KTP Associate) Associates recruited jointly and employed by the University Project located on company premises with joint company and academic supervisor Academic Supervisor spends ~ ½ day per week on the project Funded by Government grant and the company partner 31

KTP Costs - 1 Associate for 1 Year + Graduate salary available (company decides) - £27k + Associate Development – circa £6k + Travel and Subsistence + Equipment and Consumables + University Expertise - circa £10k Total package - circa £43k Cost to SME per year ~£17k Cost to Large Company ~£26k 32

KTP Use by Company Size 33

34 KTP Use by Domain

Intertrade Ireland Fusion Similar to a KTP but on a Cross Border basis FUSION, support packages worth up to £29,500/€33,150 are available for you to undertake a 12 month innovation project – Partnered with a third-level institution with the specialist expertise you need and a high calibre science, engineering or technology graduate – A graduate is employed by you and is based in your company throughout the project with mentoring from the academic partner and InterTradeIreland FUSION consultant 35

References to Pearltrees Pearltrees is a visual and collaborative curation tool which will provide you with much more in-depth information on this module’s topic. Specifically please visit:

Any questions whatsoever? 37

Thank you for your attention! 38 Further extensive material, case studies, exercises, links and more can be found on This project has been funded with support from the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Programme. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.