innovation partnerships

Building relationships, partnerships and trust between industry and academia is of utmost importance to NUI Galway TTO and one which can be of mutual benefit to both parties especially when it can lead to commercial successes. Examples of this outreach activity can be seen in the TTO involvement in the Innovation Partnership Programme. If you are interested in learning more about this programme and engaging with NUI Galway as a collaborative partner please contact the Ignite TTO and we will be happy to assist you.

The Innovation Partnership Programme is one framework available to support collaborative research and partnerships between Industry and the third level research institutions. This initiative offers, through funding agencies, financial support to companies who engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities and Institutes of Technology. Enterprise Ireland provides grants of up to 80% towards eligible costs of such research projects.

The TTO promotes this collaborative research scheme to both academics and industry and will assist both parties to find the right expertise internally to carry out the research or externally to secure the right partner for the project.

The advantages for a business engaging in the Innovation partnership scheme;

1. Increase the development potential of the business 
2. Give the company access to hot technologies developed in the Irish third-level sector
3. Provide a cost-effective approach to innovative product and process development

The advantages for the college engaging in the Innovation partnership scheme;

1. Developing industrial links as a mechanism for commercial output of new or novel technology development
2. Getting to see the needs of industry first hand
3. Increase research income generated for the college

The Innovation partnership process

• Industry and academia must review the Innovation partnership guidelines and fill out the necessary paperwork
• An outline proposal form must be submitted to EI to obtain a project approval code, before completing a proposal for submission.
• There is a monthly submission date which must be adhered to.
• The TTO will review the project proposals and provide feedback on the proposal to the academic who is responsible for completing the application, with support from the industrial partner.
• Before the approvals board meeting the submission will also go through a technical review and the company will go through a business review. A positive outcome from the reviews means the project can be submitted to the approvals board.
• EU guidelines are very important in relation to IP and the college and the industrial party must put a heads of agreement and research agreement in place in relation to the ownership of IP and the exploitation process if the project is successfully funded.

In summary as a result of the NUI Galway projects

• Industry has seen an increase in the development potential of their business
• R & D teams have secured access to technologies which have been developed by research centres in the third level institutions.
• Development of a relationship between research experts and industry and as a result created cost-effective approaches to innovative products and process development.
• This model allows industry the freedom to concentrate on more strategic tasks in product development.
• Opportunity for researchers to test their research in an industrial environment.
• Engagement with companies who are closer to the customer and market.
  
  

For more information please contact:
Fiona Neary, Business Development Manager
Tel 091 492400, E-mail fiona.nearynuigalway.ie

or Niamh Corcoran
Tel 091 495677, E-mail niamh.corcorannuigalway.ie

or Michelle Bradley, Tel 091 495090, E-mail michelle.bradleynuigalway.ie

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