[Academic] Encompass scheme - funding to work with Scottish SMEs

Paul McKenna paul.mckenna at strath.ac.uk
Wed Sep 25 12:07:59 BST 2013


Dear all,

This message is to draw your attention to the Encompass scheme which 
RKES is running to provide funding to work with Scottish SMEs - 
typically £5k, with potentially an additional £5k underwritten by the 
EPSRC Impact Accelerator Account if the proposed project stems from work 
funded by an EPSRC research grant (active or expired).

The funding can cover staff, consumables or facility access (including, 
for example, the Archie-West HPC). Once the final report is signed off 
the funds will be transferred to your nominated/agreed finance account 
within the department (e.g. your group account).

There is about £20K left in the Encompass account at present and as 
there is no application deadline, I encourage you to apply early.

You will find more details on the scheme below and the application form 
and guidelines are attached.

Best wishes,

Paul


*About Encompass*

Encompass isa £2.7m Knowledge Transfer project led Glasgow University 
with the University partners of Strathclyde and Aberdeen. The project is 
funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Scottish 
Enterprise (SE), the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and contributions 
from the University partners.

The objective of Encompass is to encourage innovation by supporting 
Scottish SMEs to access expert knowledge from one or more of the 
University project partners where the engagement supports the 
development of new products, processes or services where there are clear 
commercial and economy-wide benefits.

To support an academic-SME collaboration take the first steps in 
building a relationship funding of £5,000 (exceptionally up to £10,000) 
can be applied for from the internal Encompass pathway (underwritten by 
the EPSRC Impact Accelerator Account) or via the Scottish Enterprise 
pathway (company partner must be VAT registered to reclaim VAT from the 
invoice process, £5,000 maximum via SE).

By engaging with Encompass Scottish SMEs  have access to support from 
Encompass project partners; can receive notifications about 
events/workshops, be part of a Scottish SME and; academic community to 
help inform ways which the partner Universities can provide relevant 
support to the Scottish SME base.

*Applying to Encompass for funding*

Applying to Encompass is a competitive process and applications are 
reviewed by an internal review panel.

For applications via Scottish Enterprise an external panel- involving 
the Encompass project manager at Glasgow University and Scottish 
Enterprise- review the applications.

If you have identified the potential for a project with an SME partner 
and would like to apply for funding to support get your project off the 
ground, please read through this process guide, and/or contact Michelle 
Ierna <mailto:michelle.ierna at strath.ac.uk>.

***Applications to Encompass*

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Once an 
SME-academic partnership agree a project objective, scope, resource 
required and realistic timeline, the application is submitted to the 
review panel. Applicants are advised to allow for up to 20 days before 
feedback or a decision is reached from the panel.

Here are the application form: 
</research/resportal/ke/Shared%20Documents/Encompass-%20Project%20Application%20Form_Internal%20Pathway.docx>
https://moss.strath.ac.uk/research/resportal/ke/Shared%20Documents/Encompass-%20Project%20Application%20Form_Internal%20Pathway.docx 
</research/resportal/ke/Shared%20Documents/Encompass-%20Project%20Application%20Form_Internal%20Pathway.docx>, 
Encompass process guide 
</research/resportal/ke/Shared%20Documents/Encompass%20Process%20Guide.pdf>and 
costing form 
</research/resportal/ke/Shared%20Documents/fEC_Costing_Form_Apr_12_Encompass.xlsx>. 


**

*Application Criteria*

Criteria for applications:

·Minimum of two partners (one must be a Scottish SME)

·Company partner is VAT registered (for SE applications only).

·Extent to which the research to be exploited has origins attributable 
to EPSRC research funding (for internal applications only).

·Extent to which exploitation of the research is aligned to company 
needs and has the potential to generate new products, processes or 
services with benefits to the business, the University and the Scottish 
Economy.

·Will the identified business benefits/(enhanced staff skills; new 
markets entered, new customers, increased turnover/profit) /be increased 
or happen quicker as a result of the collaboration?

·Extent to which the company has the means to take forward a larger 
project and the ability to absorb the outputs/impacts of the project.

·Extent to which the proposal demonstrates the potential to lead into a 
longer term engagement with the partner organisation for the mutual 
benefit of both partners e.g KTPs, Follow on opportunities etc.

·Demonstration that the project necessitates academic support.

·Quality of work proposed and value for money.

*Application procedure:*

1.Initial meeting with academic, SME contact and Encompass contact to 
scope out the potential project and the objectives.

2.Relevant application form sections to be completed by both the 
academic and by the SME, with Encompass staff support. Internal project 
cost form to be complete.

3.During the application process it is beneficial if:

I.The partnership have discussed the IP position and considered if any 
new IP may be generated as a result of the project and discussed how 
this is to be treated in terms of ownership.

II.Both parties have reviewed the template agreement.

III.Both parties have agreed realistic start and end dates for the 
proposed project and delivery dates for the agreed project deliverables. 
Projects should be complete within three months of funding approval

4.Application is submitted for review via the Encompass point of 
contact. Please allow up to 20 working days (maximum) from date of 
application submission when considering start dates.

I.For internal applications your internal point of contact will feedback 
the outcome of the review panel.

II.For applications to SE, SE will advise the company directly regarding 
the outcome of the application and issue a contract to be sent to the 
company. This contract is to be agreed with SE, signed and returned to SE.

5.For internal applications if awarded -

I.Project cost form is signed by Department HoD or Faculty Dean.

II.Accounts/process agreed between academic and HoD for the end of 
project process.

III.Template collaboration agreement to be agreed by the SME and the 
University, thereafter the paper copies of the collaboration agreement 
will be generated and signed by the company and the University.

6.During your project:

I.Project monitoring- Your Encompass contact will be in contact with the 
collaboration throughout the project to ensure deliverables are on track 
as per the agreed application.

II.Project change request-If for any reason there is a change to your 
project along the way please let your point of contact know at the 
earliest convenience.

III.For the academic delivery team-

i.Please keep records of time on the project using a University 
timesheet. By ERDF rules, only Mon-Fri 9-5pm can be recorded in the 
timesheet.

ii.For all other expenditures please keep supporting evidence.

7.At the end of your project:

I.A project close out meeting should be organised with all parties to be 
present and potential follow on opportunities considered.

II.A final report to be completed by both parties and signed will be 
complete and sent to the review panel to sign off. This should be 
complete *4 weeks* after the completion of the project and will detail 
the impacts, outputs and potential lessons for future projects.

III.For internal applications- once the final report is signed off your 
point of contact will submit your claims (timesheets and other 
supporting evidence) to Finance who will then transfer the funds, once 
received at the University to the account(s) as agreed with your HoD.

IV.For SE applications the University will raise an invoice for the work 
at the price agreed at the start of the project. Once the invoice is 
paid the company can send a copy of the invoice (stating that it has 
been paid) to SE along with a copy of their bank statement showing the 
payment has been made. The company also include an invoice to SE to 
reclaim the costs of the project. SE will not pay VAT charged by the 
University, but are able to reclaim this through the quarterly VAT return.

8.Once the project is complete and the relevant financial arrangements 
finalised Encompass may wish to promote the outcome of the project by 
means of a case study or via the Encompass web page/ Strathclyde web pages.

*Eligible Project Costs*

As these awards are funded by ERDF they can be used to support academic 
time(academic; researcher; technician), with a small proportion eligible 
to recoup any travel/consumables. University lab time/equipment 
use/instrument time, or the purchase of any equipment are *not 
*considered eligible costs via Encompass.

Actual costs are calculated by the Finance Department at the end of the 
project. To help cost up the application form a guidance cost form has 
been created and can be downloaded from the R&KE portal (via the 
Encompass Page), or by contacting your point of contact.

*Please note*

Please note it is the academic PI's responsibility to ensure internal 
resources (human and physical) are available for the project and 
relevant University processes followed (for example with HR or Finance).

*Encompass Contacts*

The University of Strathclyde

Michelle IernaEmail:michelle.ierna at strath.ac.uk 
<mailto:michelle.ierna at strath.ac.uk>Tel:0141-548-4341

The University of Glasgow

Marion AndersonEmail: marion.anderson at gla 
<mailto:marion.anderson at glasgow.ac.uk>sgow.ac.uk 
<mailto:marion.anderson at glasgow.ac.uk> Tel:0141-330 8671



-- 
---------------------------------------------
Prof. Paul McKenna,
Professor of Laser-Plasma Physics and EPSRC Leadership Fellow.
Department of Physics,
University of Strathclyde,
107 Rottenrow,
Glasgow G4 0NG
U.K.
Tel: +44 141 548 5712
Mobile: +44 7854 355740
Fax: +44 141 552 2891
Email: paul.mckenna at strath.ac.uk

Times Higher Education Awards 2012 - UK University of the Year
The Department of Physics is a member of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA).
The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263.
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