Business Funding

Enabling Growth

Growing your business is not always straightforward and financial constraints can hinder innovation and expansion. Working with the University of Lincoln can enable you to access a specialist service, expertise or capability that may not have otherwise been available to you. It can also support innovative partnerships between your business, the University and public and third sector organisations.

Within the Research and Enterprise team, we have a broad range of expertise in the development of collaborative funding proposals. This is designed to support innovative partnerships between the University and private, public and third sector organisations. We will work with you to identify appropriate funding mechanisms, then support you through proposal development and submission as well as managing IP and contract negotiations. We aim to support you throughout the life-cycle of your project.

There are a range of funding opportunities available for new and established businesses and working with a university can enhance and strengthen your application. Current opportunities include European funding, Research Councils UK, Innovate UK and a range of charities.

Productivity Programme for Greater Lincolnshire

The Productivity Programme for Greater Lincolnshire is funded by the ERDF and is delivered by the University of Lincoln. It is designed to enable SMEs to advance and develop their innovation and productivity ambitions through a programme of grant funding, events, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and support. Collaboration with the academic capacity of the University delivers technical knowledge and expertise, while a dedicated internship programme seeks to provide businesses with graduate-level skills.

For more information email productivity@lincoln.ac.uk.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. They drive productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base. Working in collaboration with research funding councils, business, and academia, Innovate UK provides grants to UK companies of all sizes to stimulate business led-innovation.

The government has set an ambition for the UK to become the most innovative country in the world, and as part of the modern Industrial Strategy, has committed to raise investment in research and development (R&D) to 2.4% of GDP by 2027.

For more information about how the University of Lincoln can support your business growth with Innovate UK funding, email enterprise@lincoln.ac.uk or call 0800 915 5278.

Grants and Funding

Funding your business can sometimes be quite daunting but Sparkhouse can offer support with developing your business plan and financial forecast. These are vital to secure funding from banks, angel networks or investors. Sparkhouse also offers a range of workshops that outline what investors/banks are looking for. Visit the Sparkhouse website for more information or contact the Sparkhouse team on 01522 837200 or at sparkhouse@lincoln.ac.uk.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

The University of Lincoln has a wealth of experience with part-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership schemes. It has conducted more than 60 projects with with organisations of many different sizes from a range of sectors. If you would like to find out how your business could benefit from a KTP, contact the Research and Enterprise team on 0800 915 5278 or email enterprise@lincoln.ac.uk. Further information on the scheme can also be found on our KTP webpage.

 

Graduate Internship Scheme

The University is pleased to be able to offer our highly-successful Graduate Internship Scheme. The scheme allows us to offer businesses a £1,000 bursary to recruit one of our talented graduates for a minimum three-month period. If you have never recruited a graduate, this is an ideal scheme to explore their potential, with minimal risk for you as an employer. To find out more contact a member of the Careers team on 01522 837828 or email careers@lincoln.ac.uk