Innovate UK, previously known as the Technology Strategy Board, provides ways for your business to drive innovation through networking and collaboration. It can help your business through a variety of tools and mechanisms that include the following:

• Knowledge Transfer Networks - networks in specific fields of technology or business application which bring businesses, research facilities, universities, technology and finance organisations together to encourage innovation through knowledge exchange. Read the page in this guide on Knowledge Transfer Networks [3].
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships - businesses can learn new skills or develop technologies by working with a research or technology organisation. Read the page in this guide on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships [4].
• Collaborative research and development - brings businesses together with each other and with research organisations to work in specific fields to develop new products, services and processes. Read the page in this guide on collaborative research and development [5].
• Micro and nanotechnology centres - built on existing business or university knowledge, these facilities address application areas where micro and nanotechnologies are considered vital to future UK industry. Read the page in this guide on research councils and government help [6].
• International programmes - international business opportunities are more important than ever before. Worldwide trends and technology developments also play a role in the competitiveness of UK businesses. Innovate UK provides UK business support - in Eurostars and EUREKA - assistance with getting Framework Programme funding and guidance for European Union activities.

There are seven research councils in the UK. Their role is to fund academic research and training in areas of importance to business, the public sector and government. They aim to help make the UK more competitive, create more effective public services and policy, and to improve quality of life.

Each research council has its own procedure for awarding research and development (R&D) grants. While most funding supports specific research projects based in universities, research councils also aim to promote knowledge transfer between businesses and universities and to turn academic or business ideas into commercial processes and products.

The research councils which may be able to help your business are:

• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [9]
• Economic and Social Research Council [10]
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [11]
• Medical Research Council [12]
• Natural Environment Research Council [13]
• Science and Technologies Facilities Council [14]
• Arts and Humanities Research Council [15]

Innovate UK, previously known as the Technology Strategy Board, also has a leading role in promoting knowledge transfer to increase technology-led innovation, through a number of national schemes. See the pages in this guide on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships [4] and Knowledge Transfer Networks [3]. Also, see our guide on the Innovate UK [16].

If you run a business in Northern Ireland, you can find information on R&D support on the Invest Northern Ireland website [17].

SBRI

SBRI provides funding for innovative products that could help address a specific problem a government department or public sector organisation wants to solve.

Successful applicants receive a development contract for the full cost of demonstrating the feasibility of their technology and the opportunity for subsequent funding for prototype development, whilst retaining the intellectual property.

See the page on SBRI [18] in our guide on Innovate UK [16]. 

Microtechnology and nanotechnology centres

Innovate UK part funds a network of facilities that provide a broad range of services in micro and nanotechnologies.

Read information about micro and nanotechnology facilities on the Innovate UK website [19].

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) scheme operates throughout the UK. It is a three-way partnership between:

• a business
• an academic institution, eg a university or a college
• a qualified graduate

KTPs usually last between six months and three years.

Advantages of KTPs

KTPs aim to:

• help businesses gain knowledge and expertise from universities, colleges or research/technology organisations
• help businesses use knowledge, technology or skills to become more competitive through innovative projects
• make research organisations' work more relevant to businesses
• enhance the career prospects of graduates taking part in the scheme

The KTP process allows you to:

• identify an area where you need to make a strategic change to your business activities
• find a higher education institution, further education college or research organisation with the right expertise
• agree a project of between one and three years, during which time a recently qualified person is recruited to work in your business on the project

Who can take part in a KTP

Businesses of all sizes in most industries and commercial sectors can take part, although some limitations may apply. Find out more about the KTPs in Northern Ireland [7] and read about the support available from the NI regional colleges [21].

You can also read GOV.UK's guidance on KTPs - what they are and how to apply [22].

Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) are national networks set up for specific areas of technology or business. They bring people together from various organisations, businesses and universities to promote innovation in research and development (R&D) and knowledge sharing. They also offer invaluable opportunities to make contacts and exchange information with organisations in completely different sectors where ideas can be reapplied. There are 15 KTNs covering a wide range of technology areas - find a list of KTNs on the Innovate UK website [24]. 

KTNs are hosted on a powerful collaboration platform known as '_connect'. Networking, the exchange of ideas and research collaboration all take place within _connect.

Through _connect, KTNs offer business advantages that include:

• advice and information on funding opportunities through Innovate UK, the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Framework Programme 7, EUREKA or venture capital
• networking opportunities with other businesses and academics through events, meetings and special interest groups
• free access to online reports, newsletters, events diaries, and tools such as webinars, e-training, e-conferencing and collaboration tools
• the opportunity to influence regulations and policies in the UK and the European Union

Find out about joining _connect on the Innovate UK website [25].

The Step Programme is a scheme designed to help small businesses develop their potential by using the skills of recent graduates and undergraduates to work on specific business projects. Businesses benefit from fresh ideas and the chance to address problems or opportunities for which time and resources are normally lacking.

How it works

Through the programme's fully managed service, businesses can:

• develop their placement description and candidate profile
• promote their opportunity to a database of over 25,000 candidates
• receive a shortlist of quality, pre-screened candidates
• gain support for themselves and their candidate through the full recruitment process

All placement students receive a weekly training allowance, which is tax and NI exempt. The host organisation pays Step who then pays the students, removing the cost and hassle for the host.

Your organisation can take part if:

• it is an SME, community or social enterprise with 250 employees or fewer
• it has a business-related project a student could complete in eight to 12 weeks
• you can commit resources to supervise the project and offer the student an insight into your business

You can find out about the Step Programme on the Step Programme website [26].