Business growth through collaboration

Northern Ireland businesses can access advice, mentoring and funding to collaborate with other companies, universities or research bodies. This support can help businesses strengthen operations, raise profiles and open up new opportunities within and outside Northern Ireland.

Key support programmes for collaboration

Check current programme status and deadlines before applying, as availability can change.

Cluster Acceleration Programme

Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) supports clustering and collaboration in Northern Ireland with funding and advisory initiatives, including the Cluster Acceleration Programme. The programme opens for applications periodically throughout the year. Contact Invest NI to discuss opportunities or express interest in their Cluster Acceleration Programme.

Innovation Vouchers

Invest NI also provide Innovation Vouchers, offering up to £5,000 for businesses to partner with universities or colleges to resolve business challenges and develop innovative solutions. Typically, Innovation Vouchers open for applications up to four times per year.  Contact Invest NI to discuss opportunities or express interest in their Innovation Vouchers programme.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK funds research and innovation, often for collaborations. Search the Innovation Funding Service tool to find live Innovate UK competitions.

Innovate UK Business Growth

Formerly Innovate UK EDGE, this programme supports UK businesses with advice, partner matching, research and development funding, and market expansion. In Northern Ireland, the regional team operates through Invest NI, offering tailored support for ambitious SMEs aiming to scale. Find out about Innovate UK support in Northern Ireland.

Innovate UK Business Connect

Formerly Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network, this programme connects businesses, researchers and innovators across the UK to pursue new opportunities beyond their existing thinking. Read about the work of Innovate UK Business Connect.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

KTPs support subsidised three-way collaborations between businesses, academic institutions and qualified graduates. Projects typically last 12 to 36 months and match business needs with graduate skills (technical or management) and academic expertise. In Northern Ireland, KTP projects are funded by Innovate UK and Invest NI - find out about the KTP scheme.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU's flagship funding programme for research and innovation. Northern Ireland businesses can fully participate on equal terms with EU companies, because of the UK association. Advice on opportunities and partner matching is available from the Horizon Europe NI Contact Point support network or Invest NI. Invest NI may also offer financial support for Horizon Europe project planning to eligible businesses. 

Catapult centres

These are not-for-profit technology and innovation centres that connect businesses with research expertise and facilities to develop products and services on a commercial scale. Each focuses on a key sector (eg digital, energy, manufacturing). SMEs can access labs, testbeds, funding advice and collaboration partners. Find out more about Catapults.

Competence centres

Competence centres bring together universities, research institutes and businesses for strategic, industry-focused collaborative research. Any NI-based business can join applied projects – active centres that currently operate in Northern Ireland include connected health, sustainable energy, advanced manufacturing and engineering, artificial intelligence, and agri-food.

Innovation Boost programme

This InterTradeIreland programme funds a science, engineering or technology graduate to work in your business. It pairs you with a third-level institution for expertise, with the graduate based on-site, supported by academic mentors and InterTradeIreland consultants. Find out more about the Innovation Boost programme.

Synergy programme

Another InterTradeIreland programme, Synergy boosts SME participation in innovative networks of entrepreneurs, academics, policy makers, corporates and third sector groups. It scales cross-border collaboration for economic benefits across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Find out more about Synergy.