Working with external organisations
Working with external organisations can be immensely satisfying, however, the ground rules for engaging with businesses can appear challenging and differs to other research and academic activities. There are a number of different ways in which we engage with external organisations, as summarised below.
Consultancy
There may be opportunities to provide bespoke consultancy within your field. This can be a great starting point for further work such as a larger piece of contract or collaborative research.
Please note that any proposed consultancy should be costed accordingly by the Pre-Award team, via your School BDM and/or Finance Team, if applicable.
Considerations:
- It is assumed this type of activity will be charged at a minimum of 100% full economic cost (fEC) and is subject to 25% University topslice.
- Any IP arising from the Consultancy is owned by the organisation.
- An appropriate agreement should be drawn up and signed before the work is undertaken.
Facilities/Equipment and Testing
The University has a range of resources which may be used for commercial purposes – from room hire to testing. Your School may already have a list of the rates that apply for the use of its resources.
Any service required by a business should be costed appropriately by the Pre-Award team, via your School BDM and/or Finance Team, if applicable.
Considerations:
- It is assumed this type of activity will be charged at a minimum of 100% full economic cost (fEC) and is subject to 25% University topslice.
- An appropriate agreement should be drawn up and signed before the work is undertaken.
Contract research
Contract research is a straightforward route for businesses to engage with the University and the project will be developed with the company’s objectives in mind. In order to be classified as research the University must keep the rights to publish the results.
Please note that any proposed contract research should be costed accordingly by the Pre-Award team, via your School BDM and/or Finance Team, if applicable.
Considerations:
- It is assumed this type of activity will be charged at a minimum of 100% full economic cost (fEC) and is subject to 15% University topslice.
- IP is decided on a case by case basis.
- An appropriate agreement should be drawn up and signed before the work is undertaken.
Short Courses/Bespoke Training
A company may seek the support from the University to deliver a short course or develop a tailored programme. Typically these are non-accredited. Training should be costed accordingly and you may need/want to consider the following:
- Preparation time
- Delivery time
- Guest speaker(s)
- Training materials
- Catering/refreshments
- Room hire
- Administrative support
- Post training evaluation/review
Degrees and Professional Programmes
Many of our undergraduate, postgraduate or post-experience programmes are also accredited by professional bodies and these may be of interest, or relevance, to external organisations. Providing a company has a sufficient cohort, and depending on their timescales, it may be prudent to consider a customised degree programme....
Degree Apprenticeships
The University is currently considering its offering in this area.
Collaborative research
Collaborative research projects are clearly defined, projects involving funding from research councils, or another sources, in which the business is a collaborator. Funds may cover Research Assistants, equipment, travel and subsistence costs and academic buy-out. Such projects are intended to produce innovative research of international standard.
Applications should follow the specific requirements of the funder. All projects should be costed by the Pre-Award team, via your School BDM and/or Finance Team, if applicable. The University has dedicated Research Development Managers, based within R&E but assigned to Schools, to support you with your applications.
Considerations:
- The applied University topslice depends on the funder – some research grant applications are exempt
- IP is decided on a case by case basis.
- An appropriate agreement should be drawn up and signed before the work is undertaken.
For further information please see Funding
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
KTP is a UK-wide programme to help businesses improve their competitiveness, productivity, performance and profitability by utilising expertise from a UK university. Projects cost in the region of £60k per year and are part-funded by Innovate UK. The company pay the balance (approx.£20k to £30k per year).
Each KTP is a three-way partnership between a business, a UK university and a recently qualified graduate/post-graduate. Projects typically last 2-3 years.
The funding covers:
- A full-time graduate/post-graduate
- Academic support for half a day a week
- Training and development support for the graduate
- Travel and subsistence budget
- Consumables budget
For further information please contact your School BDM or Laura Forester-Green, R&E Central BDM (l.forester-green2@hud.ac.uk / 01484 472356) or visit http://ktp.innovateuk.org/
Student projects
There may be opportunities to work with businesses within the context of certain modules or degree programmes e.g. through briefs for individual/group projects, dissertations or coursework. These are usually managed by the course or module leader.
ICE is a wider-University initiative that run interdisciplinary challenges, for groups of students, set by business. To find out more please see https://www.hud.ac.uk/schools/artdesignandarchitecture/placementsandenterprise/honeypotandice/
Student placements/Sandwich degrees
Many of our degree programmes include a placement element where the student will spend time in industry to gain experience and enhance their employability. The duration of the placement and other requirements vary depending on the School and subject area. For more information please contact your School Placement Manager:
School of Applied Sciences
Linda Ellis
01484 473867
School of Art, Design and Architecture
Linda Whiteley
01484 471091
Business School
Andrew Stainton
01484 472216
School of Computing and Engineering
Fran Rimmer
01484 472782
School of Education and Professional Development
Allison Gurney
01484 478220
School of Human and Health Sciences
Cath Hayes
01484 473495
School of Music, Humanities and Media
Stephanie Bower
01484 471872
Graduate recruitment
If a business is looking to appoint a recent graduate the Careers Service can help by advertising opportunities. It may also be relevant for a company to promote their organisation and its graduate positions at the Careers Fair, or other organised events, and the Careers Service will facilitate this.
Internships
Internships are a great way for a company to fulfil a short-term need, or project, whilst identifying future talent. The University facilitates 10-week internships as part of the Santander Work Placements Scheme. For more information contact Cerys Jones, Internship Coordinator (c.jones@hud.ac.uk / 01484 473884).
