RESEARCH NEWS
New innovation path with DigiSpin WM
Coventry University , in collaboration with Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton ( in the UK ), has secured significant funding from UKRI Research England to launch an initiative that could redefine how universities translate research into thriving businesses .
Known as DigiSpin WM , it will focus specifically on the advanced manufacturing and digital innovation sectors within the West Midlands Investment Zone . Another initiative of the West Midlands Combined Universities ( WMCU ) collaboration , it will see the universities work together to drive economic growth and innovation across the region .
“ This six-month pilot programme , launched in November 2024 , will look to create a dynamic ecosystem where innovation flourishes and spin-out companies thrive . DigiSpin WM is poised to become a national blueprint , empowering universities across the UK to accelerate the commercialisation of their research and drive economic growth ,” commented Coventry University .
One example would be of a researcher developing a revolutionary new advanced manufacturing process with the potential to transform an industry . DigiSpin WM aims to provide access to the expert guidance , streamlined processes and crucial resources needed to turn their idea into a thriving business , creating jobs and boosting the regional economy .
DigiSpin WM will focus on tackling the common challenges that hinder university spinouts head-on , including :
■ Fast-track to market : Streamlining the process of turning research into a commercial product or service .
■ Intellectual property protection : Expert guidance on securing and managing intellectual property rights .
■ Investor-ready : Developing strong business plans and attracting investment .
■ Collaboration power : Connecting with industry partners and sharing knowledge to boost innovation .
A collaborative focus
It is hoped that the impact of DigiSpin WM will extend far beyond the individual researcher ; its aim is to create a ripple effect that benefits the entire region and the UK . Goals will be more spin-outs ( helping researchers to launch successful businesses based on their discoveries ) plus an economic boost ( creating new jobs and driving growth ). Other goals include stronger networks ( connecting universities and industry to boost innovation ) and attracting investment .
This Research England-funded pilot programme seeks to answer a critical question : Can technology transfer offices ( TTOs ) be effectively shared across universities ? DigiSpin WM will explore this question by building on the existing WMCU collaboration and establishing a collaborative model for Coventry University , Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton .
Professor Dame Jessica Corner , Executive Chair of Research England , added : “ We received an exciting range of proposals to our Connecting Capability Fund ( CCF ) programme call for pilots of diverse , innovative models of sharing . These pilots will provide valuefor-money insights , helping us deliver on the economic growth agenda and address financial sustainability pressures on higher education .”
Over the next six months , the pilot will not only investigate the feasibility of a shared TTO model but also explore its potential to create a scalable and replicable framework for universities across the UK .
This collaborative approach seeks to empower universities to maximise their impact and contribute to economic growth through successful spin-out creation . n
New development grants offered by SSF
There is now a new opportunity to apply for the ‘ Instrument , technology and method development ’ call by the SSF ( Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research ). The grants can be applied for by research engineers , non-faculty researchers , researchers , PhDs and postdocs for the development of new tools and methods , while promoting the grantees ’ own career paths .
“ Instrument , technology and method development is a necessary factor for competitive research and innovation . Yet direct public funding is largely lacking in this somewhat neglected area . In 2017 , our first call for proposals to strengthen the business branch came out , and now the second is coming ,” said SSF .
The proposed projects must enable scientific or technical breakthroughs by developing new instrument and / or method
development and / or techniques , focused on important application problems . The projects must enable future research , innovations or services around which industry and / or the public sector can grow .
SSF encourages collaborations and utilisation of project results during the project period . The call is not aimed at projects that are primarily about using ( new ) methods and instruments in research . The project should also not constitute a minor part of an existing research and development project .
Each project can apply for six to ten million kroner , which will be paid out over a threeyear period . After the first year , an evaluation is made which is decisive for the continued payment of the grant . SSF encourages high-risk projects that can lead to important innovation .
The call is mainly aimed at researchers and research engineers and not at professors , lecturers and people on a tenure track . The application deadline is 25 March 2025 at 2pm . The project start is 1 January 2026 . For further information , please email Research Secretary , Mattias Lundberg , on mattias . lundberg @ strategiska . se n
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