Examples of support mechanisms

The Open Innovation platform aims to support researchers to build successful relationships with business and commercial partners.  Listed below are examples of engagement mechanisms that the Open Innovation platform could support.  This list is not exhaustive and we are open to any ideas you have for other ways of engaging in research with commercial partners.

PhD Studentships

• The Open Innovation platform could help to jointly fund a PhD studentship with a company partner.  The student spending time working at the premises of the company partner will be particularly encouraged.

Feasibility studies

• Funding can be provided to support short projects aiming to show proof of principle which will then have the potential to lead to bigger research projects.

Industrial Post Docs

• The Open Innovation platform can provide support to cover a post doc salary.  This could be on a short term basis/a few hours a week to carry out some feasibility work to help build a compelling case for large research projects.  Additionally through the Strategic Partnership Fund a longer term position could be funded in collaboration with a strategic partner organisation. 

Joint funded posts/secondments

• The Open Innovation platform could help support a joint funded academic post or could help support company researchers take a secondment into the university.

For the Proof of Concept Fund

• Help with the formation of a spin out
• Develop licensing opportunities
• Collect data to allow PCT filing
• Creating a prototype
• Market research

For the Link Fund

• Holding events
• Travel to meet potential partners

Contact us

For more information please contact OpenInnovation@exeter.ac.uk or telephone Carrie Rye on 01392 725505.