The LCEI project aims to work with businesses in Liverpool City Region to give them access to and assistance from the Universities both in terms of facilities and R&D so that they can improve their environmental performance, address a particular issue or carry out some cutting-edge research and development.
For instance, we are currently offering PhDs for businesses working on low carbon issues. They work like this:
• All the projects are SME led i.e. you bring the idea, issue or problem and the university will match that to academic expertise
• A programme of work is then developed between you and the academic supervisor
• The university will advertise the role and graduates from anywhere can apply. You are encouraged to get involved in the selection process
• The graduate works on your project for 36 months with academic supervision, use of HEI facilities (labs, workshops, libraries etc.)
• You are able to commercially exploit the results of the project free of charge.
The financial model is:
• The project, Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory, pays a graduate £15,000 tax free stipend
• The researcher’s home/EU PhD tuition fees of £4,000 per annum are paid
• There is £2,000 per annum available for consumables/travel etc.
• SME contribution is only £6k per annum
In summary, it is a very cost effective way of running a research project. The SME may even be eligible for R&D tax credits.
Dr Matt Fulton, Project Director, University of Liverpool says, “Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory seeks to build connections with businesses to encourage them to maintain a broader, long-term relationship with the city region’s research base. Although the programme runs up to 2019, the PhD projects have to start in the first year of the project therefore the window of opportunity is running out”.
If you are interested in discussing a potential project with Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory, please email today on ecoinnovatory@liverpool.ac.uk