The Integrated Products Manufacturing Knowledge Transfer Network SPARK award scheme aims to kick-start a relationship between small companies and University groups that have not previously collaborated. Funding is a fixed sum of £5,000 awarded in annual competition, with applications being made by partnerships of an SME together with a University.
SPARK Award Scheme 2008
SPARK Awards of a fixed value of £5,000 each will be awarded to the relevant HEI to tackle a problem of direct relevance to the SME. In effect, these grants will not only help the SME tackle a problem they are currently facing, but will also lead to longer-term relationships between the educational institutes and the business community.
Applications are actively encouraged in the areas of design, development and manufacture of complex products with integrated electronic and mechanical function.
The application process for the SPARK award scheme involves a minimum of red tape, in keeping with the value of the grant. The online application form is brief and simple. The completed form must be received by midnight Friday 21 November 2008.
Timescale
Normally the grants should be completed within 12 months of the award date.
Number of awards
There are currently four awards of £5000 available. Sponsorship of additional awards is welcomed for either the current call or future calls.
Eligibility
The awards are open only to companies and academics based in the UK.
The applicants must be a member of an SME and an HEI, and have never formally worked together before. University spin-out companies are welcome to apply, but if proposing a project with the parent institution, they should verify their eligibility by contacting Paul Palmer, Director of the Integrated Products Manufacturing KTN (contact details below).
Application process
Applications may only be submitted using the on-line application form. This is essential to maintain the low administrative overhead. You will be sent an acknowledgement of your application by email.
Download application form.
Applications must be made by named pairs of individuals from an HEI and an SME. All applications will be circulated to the scheme stakeholders.
Assessment
The grants will be ranked by an independent panel.
Successful applicants will be offered a grant of £5000 subject to terms and conditions.
There will be no obligation for panel members to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Contact
For more information, please contact Paul Palmer.
Sign up for announcements
If you would like to receive announcements about future SPARK Awards in advance by email, you can sign up for e-alerts by logging in (if you are not already logged in) and editing your registration details. Simply tick the 'SPARK Awards' tick box in the interests section of the registration form and finish by clicking the 'submit' button.
If you haven't already registered, you will need to do so before you can sign up for e-alerts. Register online.
All announcements from the Integrated Products Manufacturing KTN relating to SPARK awards are also posted on our news RSS feed.
Links to reports from past SPARK projects.
Optical-key concept (Optilock & St Andrews University SPARK award)
Novel fuel-cell accumulator (Davison Chemographics & Brunel University SPARK award)