Global cooperation feasibility studies

The aim of this competition is to support innovative UK small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to carry out short international cooperation feasibility studies. These studies should build new international business networks. This can enable commercial research and innovation partnerships, and future collaboration.

Innovate UK are looking to increase the international engagement of innovative UK SMEs. The competition will focus on supporting companies that have strong innovative ideas

The proposed activities or studies should show the development potential of an idea. They should also show the opportunities available from international partnerships and access to new markets. The feasibility studies can focus on any global market.

You must explain the reasons for pursuing a specific market. Applications should also detail the potential impacts and follow-on activities envisaged.

Innovate UK will fund SMEs to support the costs for their involvement in activities such as:

• meetings with partners in the UK or other countries
• travel and subsistence, including travelling abroad to meet partners, attend brokerage or exhibition events and gain a better understanding of market opportunities and user/customer needs
• due diligence work on partners and markets
• staff time for proof of market or concept work
• sub-contracting services (limited to up to 10% of costs)

The purpose of these studies is not to implement projects. It is to enable innovative UK SMEs to collaborate with other businesses, organisations and stakeholders (such as customers and/or end users).

This will involve spending time abroad to develop ideas and explore market opportunities. Collaboration will help speed up the commercialisation of innovative ideas in fast-growing global markets.

There can be a link between the studies and market-focused innovation projects with private or public funding. For example, European programmes or Innovate UK’s Newton/Official Development Assistance funding activities, focused on funding new solutions to major global challenges.