Work with UK universities and colleges

Introduction

The commercial exploitation of new ideas is vital to the survival and prosperity of British firms. If they can get new products to the market faster than their rivals, UK industry becomes more competitive. Often new ideas arise from - or are enhanced by - academic research.

Therefore, one way businesses can develop new ideas is to form relationships with universities and other research institutions. Companies benefit commercially from research into processes and technologies relevant to their activities, while universities and colleges gain new sources of funding, and researchers achieve a better understanding of industry needs.

This guide looks at the different ways you can work with universities or colleges. It also looks at key government-sponsored schemes supporting partnership projects.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Research councils and government help
• Innovation Vouchers
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• Knowledge Transfer Networks
• Collaborative Research & Development
• Shell Step
• Here's how I used a Knowledge Transfer Partnership and worked with a university

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