Priority 2 - Action Area 1 (AA2-1)

Exploiting the Science & R&D Base of the Region

Funding for projects which build the region’s capacity to produce and exploit commercially valuable R&D relevant to the Northwest business base. Emphasis is on near-market technologies that can: be translated into economically valuable products and processes; generate turnover and market share; create new clients for Northwest businesses; and create new employment opportunities for Northwest residents.

Rationale

The Northwest has a substantial, world-class base of science and research institutions, which have varying degrees of contact with businesses in the region. In some cases, the expertise of these institutions could be aligned more closely to business activities.

There are economic and institutional barriers standing in the way of greater exploitation of these facilities and expertise, for example some parts of the region are remote from the region’s main concentrations of R&D activity.

Eligible Activities

There are five types of project eligible for funding under AA2-1

• Strand 1: Grant for Research & Development (GRAND)
• Strand 2: Science Council Inititatives
• Strand 3: Business & Higher Education/Further Education Collaborative Working
• Strand 4: Knowledge Transfer Partnership +
• Strand 5: Higher Education Institutions Specific Schemes

For more information on each of these strands, download the Investment Framework.

AA2-1 Strand 5 is currently open to new bids. To discuss your project idea please contact Hazel Catt.

Notes

Although the ultimate beneficiaries must be Northwest-based businesses, AA2-1 can support links to R&D activity based outside the region where no existing regional partner is able to deliver.

There is scope for a small number of inter-regional projects in AA2-1, provided the project has developed from the region’s participation in a Fast Track network, or inter-regional or trans-national networks of regional significance. Such projects should influence programme delivery.