Looking to develop a new idea in your business?

The Programme is here to help with short, sharp high-impact interventions at no cost to your local SME business, giving you access to the cutting edge research, knowledge, techniques or technology that can help to drive your business forward. Our experienced, specialist team ensures projects are individually tailored to fit the needs of your business.

The closing date to apply for the Research & Innovation Support programme is Friday 12 May 2023.

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Re-imagining your business

The extraordinary changes we’ve experienced in recent years have forced businesses to transform and adapt to new challenges. We can help support, analyse and evaluate for options in:

• New markets
• Channels and supply chains
• Working practices
• Policy and procedure
• Strategy, alliances and partnerships

Get in touch with our team

Support areas

Key support areas

We categorise our menu of support under four key areas, more information about each of these offers can be found below

If you're still not sure on how we can support your business please get in touch with our team.

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Dedicated Resources

Working with you to get to the heart of the problem, and help to unlock it, by giving you fully-funded access to:

  • A dedicated business-facing team including a Business Engagement Manager and Innovation Advisor
  • Skilled student or graduate consultant working in your business as a Research, Development and Innovation Associate
  • Additional academic expertise to ensure the project reaches its full potential

Get in touch

Kelly Tanks discuss the benefits of Keele's Research & Innovation Support Programme.

FAQs

The programme is open to small- to medium-sized UK businesses in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire area that have an innovative idea that has the potential to grow the business.

The only cost to participate is your time. The programme is fully-funded until 2023, and applications are open all year round.

The Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme is delivered through the Keele University Science & Innovation Park Smart Innovation Hub (Project reference 32R17P01691). This programme is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the England 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme.

Businesses aren’t the only ones who benefit from the programme – it provides a fantastic opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in a real workplace project. Details of the opportunities available through the programme are listed on our student Internship vacancies page

Apply today

 Please fill in this form, selecting business support, and one of our team will be in touch to discuss further.

ERDF landscape logo The Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme is delivered through the Keele University Science & Innovation Park Smart Innovation Hub (Project reference 32R17P01691). This programme is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the England 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme.