East Midlands Innovation Programme
Businesses across the East Midlands are being offered the opportunity to access specialist expertise and innovation support from the University of Nottingham through a new programme designed to help drive business growth.
The East Midlands Innovation programme funded through the University's Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), which is allocated from Research England, will run from 1 September 2026 until 30 June 2027 and will provide funding and technical support to eligible businesses across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester and Leicestershire.
Two funding opportunities are available:-
Innovation Vouchers of up to £3,000 will enable eligible businesses to access innovation-focused technical support from specialist delivery centres at the University. There is no requirement for businesses to provide match funding, although contributions towards larger projects are welcomed.
Innovation Partnership Awards of up to £10,000 will support more substantial innovation and scale-up projects. These awards require match funding from participating businesses, typically 50% from SMEs and 100% from larger organisations.
Specialist expertise available:-
- Chemistry Innovation Laboratory (CIL): providing analytical and product development support across chemistry and materials using and life sciences businesses.
- Food Innovation Centre (FIC): providing science and technology consultancy, new product or process development support for food and drink focussed businesses.
- Institute of Aerospace Technology (IAT): working across the aerospace supply chain.
- Precision Manufacturing Centre (PMC): providing consultancy on design for manufacturing, manufacture of prototypes or small batches of innovative products, and measurement and inspection services.
- Virtual and Immersive Production Studio (VIP Studio): providing technical research and innovation support for creative and digital businesses and innovation support for tech companies moving into cultural and creative sectors.
- Responsible AI Consultancy (UNRAIC): Providing practical and strategic support for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.
- UNIEI and UNIP: Providing executive and enterprise education and the opportunity to benefit from co-location with university researchers.
The programme will help organisations access university expertise, facilities and specialist knowledge to develop new products, improve processes and explore new opportunities for growth.
Businesses interested in applying should email PC-TalentInnovation@nottingham.ac.uk
