Access university expertise

9th July 2010

If you haven’t sought the advice of a university expert before, two new voucher schemes make it easier to access university expertise.

The Consultancy Voucher Scheme (ECIF) offers small to medium-sized companies (SMEs) a “voucher” of up to a maximum of £4,000 which will purchase approximately 8 days’ worth of time on a specific programme of consultancy work. SEEDA will be awarding at least 20 vouchers in the first instance, with a limit of one voucher per company.

Eligible companies must have:

■ fewer than 250 employees

■an annual turnover of less than 50 million euros

■at least 75% of their ownership not owned or controlled by a company that is not an SME

Priority will be given to companies that:

■have not previously received consultancy or contract research services from  Oxford Brookes University

■are based within 60 miles of Oxford Brookes University

Sustainability-themed Innovation Vouchers (SEEDA)

In addition to the above, Innovation Vouchers specifically on the theme of sustainability are available, also for a value of up to £4,000 and funded by SEEDA. The sustainability-themed vouchers are available for consultancy work undertaken on the themes of Construction, Energy and Waste. For these vouchers, the consultancy work is not exclusive to Oxford Brookes and can be undertaken with any university/Knowledge Base Partner in the United Kingdom, provided the applicant is based within the South East Economic Region (excluding London). Applicants must not have had significant prior interaction with the Knowledge Base Partner.

For more information visit the Oxford Brookes University website