Connect to Collaborate is an output-focused programme designed for university academics and research staff who want to develop a collaborative R&D project with industry, but don’t have a partner.
Many academics and research staff don’t have the contacts, skills or confidence to engage with industry in a way that leads to collaborative R&D projects. Connect to Collaborate guides participants through a structured process to help them identify, and connect with, potential partners.
"I found the course very informative and enjoyed the opportunity to develop my own project in relation to the course material. I feel I have a template, based on the materials provided and the notes I made to develop a commercialisation opportunity in relation to my reserach"
Dr Andrew Graham
Teesside University
The programme is delivered for a small cohort (maximum 15 participants), through a combination of workshops and group coaching sessions.
Everything is applied to your situation, so you will be actively working on connecting with potential partners. The programme is designed to create outputs that overcome specific challenges academics and researcher staff face in the context of engaging with industry:
The main challenges we approach are:
A lack of relevant industry contacts
Not sure where to start
Unable to connect-the-dots between business need and research
Struggle to translate academic language into business language
A lack of time to dedicate to engaging with industry
Participants will realise a measurable change in their knowledge and confidence in critical areas that correlate to applying the innovation process to:
The main challenges we approach are:
Personal Industry engagement & action plan.
Increased number of industry contacts.
Initial meetings with industry partners.
Increased confidence in your ability to engage with potential partners.
Better understanding of how to move from interest to grant funded project.
How is the programme structured?
The programme is delivered as a series of workshops, coaching sessions and self study. Participants should expect to spend 1-3 hours per week on the programme including actioning what they have taken from each session.
The coaching sessions will involve working with your peers to share activities, learnings and group-problem solve, while the workshops will focus on defining your ideal partner profile, developing a plan for resource-relevant outreach and outlining your next steps and how to access support for the next stage of your journey
Apply for programme
If necessary, applicants will be shortlisted by Innovation Services and the I2Ri team at Sheffield Hallam University based on alignment with R&I plans, availability to attend the sessions and to ensure a balance of applicants.
