Could you benefit from the support of a part funded PhD student to help your research into a new product?

Eligible small and medium businesses (SMEs) can now apply to be supported by a dedicated PhD research student as part of a three-year programme between four North East universities.

Up to 45 SMEs will be supported by the Intensive Industrial Innovation Programme (IIIP) which is a partnership between Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria and Teesside universities. It pairs SMEs with a dedicated PhD student to develop new products and services for the market

The ultimate aim of the IIIP is to encourage a culture of innovation that benefits business, leading to greater export opportunities and increased graduate employment, particularly in science and engineering.

The project is targeted at priority sectors identified in the economic plans of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Sectors include creative, digital, software and technology-based services; healthcare and health innovation; energy; manufacturing and logistics.

The PhD student will work 100% on the SME project and any arising Intellectual Property linked to this research will be owned by the SME.

Eligible SMEs can apply until midday on Monday 30 April 2019 by contacting IIIP.NE@durham.ac.uk. SMEs will be chosen via selection process. More information can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/iiip.