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The Centre for Particle Characterisation and Analysis (CPCA) |
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| • Kind of funding: | Advice/Consultancy |
The CPCA at The University of Paisley offers a comprehensive range of scientific analysis, R&D problem-solving, training and scientific consultancy. The CPCA is particularly sensitive to the requirements of smaller businesses and start-up entrepreneurs with an emphasis on utilising the University's scientific expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to provide practical solutions to customers at affordable costs. Ultimately it is hoped that through the establishment of academic/industrial links, local industry can gain competitive advantages though innovation, increased technical awareness and environmental competitiveness.
With significant funding from the European Regional Development Fund through the Strathclyde European Partnership and additional funding from The SME Initiative Operational Programme for Lowland Scotland, the CPCA provides a low-cost route to state-of-the-art scientific facilities for companies throughout Scotland, providing technological support for business sustainability and growth.
In its four years of operation, the CPCA has had a significant impact on the local industrial community, providing services to a wide range of companies from small businesses through to major enterprises. This has involved companies from industrial sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, metals production, food and drink, textiles, surface coatings, electronics, plastics and waste treatment. In short, practically all manufacturing companies can benefit from the CPCA scientific services (even some non-manufacturing businesses have used the CPCA, including a museum and a football club).
CONTACT
Mr Del Stark
Paisley University
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Paisley PA1 2BE
Tel: 0141 848 3241
Fax: 0141 848 3204
E-mail: starch0@paisley.ac.uk
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Competitiveness of the Oil and Gas Supplies Sector |
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• Kind of funding: Grant
The aim of the Programme is to help companies supplying goods or services to the upstream oil and gas industry to improve their competitiveness. The Programme provides funding towards the cost of projects, usually collaborative in nature, providing benefit to the offshore supplies industry. Projects may well involve financial and expertise input from a number of companies such as oil companies, companies in the offshore supplies sector or other businesses with an interest in the improvement of the sector's competitiveness including the development and commercialisation of the products and services.
Eligible businesses include companies, intermediaries, consultants and organisations such as universities with the technical and financial resources to carry out the project. In the limited number of cases where product development is supported, to be eligible for assistance the projects must involve significant technological risk and innovation, require Government support in order to be able to go ahead and be commercially well conceived.
CONTACT
David Rodger
DTI
IEP4
3rd Floor Atholl House
86-88 Guild Street
Aberdeen AB11 6AR
Tel: 01224 254016
Fax: 01224 212521
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Connect |
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Energy Programmes of the European Community |
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Non-nuclear Energy
• Kind of funding: Grant
The strategic goal of this part of the programme is to develop sustainable energy systems and services for Europe and contribute to a more sustainable development world-wide, leading to increased security and diversity of supply, the provision of high-quality, low-cost energy services, improved industrial competitiveness and reduced environmental impact.
The RTD and demonstration projects will concentrate through two key actions on tackling the issues of cleaner energy systems including renewable energies and economical and efficient energy for a competitive Europe, as well as generic activities concerning the socio-economic aspects of energy within the perspective of sustainable development (the impact on society, the economy and employment).
Eligible businesses
Any organisation that can contribute to the programme objectives.
Scheme conditions
The fifth Framework Programme runs from 1998-2002. Details
were not complete at the time of writing.
CONTACT
Mr M Brook
International Energy Technology
Department of Trade and Industry
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Tel: 0171 215 2813
Fax: 0171 828 7969
E-mail: mike.brook@hend.dti.gov.uk
| EUREKA |
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| • Size of business: |  |
| • Kind of funding: | Grant/Advice |
The aim of EUREKA is to improve European competitiveness in world markets. The programme encourages industrial relations within Europe -- the UK office of EUREKA can assist in the identification of suitable project partners.
Eligible businesses
All business sectors.
Scheme conditions
Project must:
- relate to products, processes and services in information technology, robotics, telecommunications, materials, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, marine technology, lasers, environmental protection and transport technologies
- involve participation from more than one EUREKA country
- be innovative, viable and involve advanced technology with the aim of securing significant technological advance
- be carried out in a country within the EUREKA programme and the results be beneficial to the EUREKA countries
CONTACT
EUREKA Enquiry Point
Tel: 0171 215 1618
Fax: 0171 215 1700
E-mail: linda.prosper@tidv.dti.gov.uk
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European Community Research Programmes |
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| • Size of business: | |
| • Kind of funding: | Grant |
The European Community Research Programmes provide funding to meet part of the costs of collaborative research and development programmes which involve academic and commercial partners in several EC countries. The aim of the Programmes is to encourage the transfer of technology from the academic to the business community.
Eligible businesses
Sectors which are involved in the relevant research and
development areas: information technology, communications, advanced materials,
industrial technologies, the environment, life sciences, energy and the management
of intellectual resources.
Scheme conditions
Assistance with applications is offered by a number of
bodies including the industrial liaison units of the Scottish Universities and
Scottish Enterprise.
CONTACT
David Cranston
Innovation Relay Centre
EuroInfoCentre Limited
21 Bothwell Street Glasgow G2 6NL
Tel: 0141 221 0999
Fax: 0141 221 6539
or Andrew McConnell
Technology Unit
The Scottish Office Industry Department
Meridian Court
5 Cadogan Street
Glasgow G2 6AT
Tel: 0141 232 5513
Fax: 0141 242 5404
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European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST) |
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COST provides a mechanism for European scientific and technological collaboration which complements the Communities R & D Programmes. COST is a networking, infrastructural activity, thus whilst administrative/secretariat costs may be covered, there is no direct funding in this programme.
Eligible businesses
Past participants have been primarily administrations and
research centres in the public sector. However, an increasing number of projects
involve private sector partners.
Scheme conditions
A wide range of scientific fields and industrial sectors
are covered by COST's networking activities. Its mechanism is primarily suited
to problems of an international nature. Collaboration is formulated through
the establishment of a 'Memorandum of Understanding'. A list of current and
possible future COST projects of interest to companies is available from the
contact.
CONTACT
UK COST Co-Ordination Office
Office of Science and Technology
Department of Trade and Industry
26-28 Old Queen Street
London
SWH 9HP
Tel: 0171 271 2057
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Expert Help Diagnostic & Consultancy Service |
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Graduate into Food Business Programme |
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The International Business Opportunities Service (IBO) |
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International Technology Service |
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• Kind of funding: Grant
In an increasingly global market, UK companies face unprecedented competition. To be competitive, even in home markets, UK companies need to be aware of new technological developments and management practices from all over the world. For this purpose the DTI has developed its International Technology Service which provides help in the following ways:
Global Information on Science and
Technology
Our monthly magazine 'Global Information on Science and
Technology' publishes articles about the latest technological developments and
areas of best practice identified by British Embassies and British Council offices
around the world.
CONTACT
Pera Information
Tel: 01664 501 501 ext 548
Fax: 01664 501 555
International Technology Promoters
The International Technology Promoters (ITPs) cover North
America, Japan, Germany and France. Working with business links, trade associations
and others, they monitor developments overseas to help small and medium-sized
enterprises source technology.
CONTACT
Pera Consulting
Tel: 01664 501 551
Fax: 01664 501 261
Overseas Missions
The overseas missions cover any management discipline and
area of technology or science, but focus on those which offer areas from which
UK businesses can glean best practice and help competitiveness. Mission teams
openly exchange ideas with leading-edge host organisations, promoting greater
awareness among senior industry representatives of advances taking place both
overseas and in the UK. Their objective is to learn from the world's best.
CONTACT
International Technology Service
Tel: 0171 215 3884
Fax: 0171 215 3934
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Know How Fund |
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LEEL Sword |
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| • Size of business: | |
| • Kind of funding: | Advice/Consultancy |
A Programme of workshops aimed at assisting companies in the development of new product or service ideas. Based on SWORD systems that have effectively been used by some of the top companies worldwide over the past 20 years, the SWORD Programme uses proven techniques.
The system has been introduced into over 250 companies throughout the UK in the last seven years. The workshops' ability to broaden the company's horizons through a low-cost, low-risk approach to company growth, without risky investment in plant and machinery, means that small businesses can channel vital resources into maximising profits.
Eligible businesses
All Lothian-based businesses.
CONTACT
Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Limited
Apex House
99 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh EH12 5HD
Freephone: 0800 78 78 78
Tel: 0131 313 4000
Fax: 0131 313 4231
E-mail: info@leel.co.uk
Website: www.leel.co.uk
