Universities combine in £3.9m scheme to connect businesses with research

Universities combine in £3.9m scheme to connect businesses with research (3 May 2018) The North East's universities are joining forces under a £3.9m scheme to connect the region's businesses with research to encourage growth and job creation. The Intensive Industrial Innovation Programme (IIIP) will see Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria and Teesside universities work directly with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop new services and products for the market. The three-year programme is being led by Durham University. It has been funded by £2.2m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) , with additional funding coming from the four partner universities. Up to 48 SMEs will each be supported by a dedicated PhD research student, as well as access to senior academic researchers and university research facilities. The project is targeted at priority sectors identified in the economic plans of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Tees Valley Combined Authority. Sectors include creative, digital, software and technology-based services; healthcare and health innovation; energy; manufacturing and logistics.