Fast-Track Research Projects

Our new initiative for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) provides an opportunity to:

Boost your research and development capacity
Stimulate new research activity in your business
Help undertake the fundamental research needed to launch new products and services.

Sponsor a postgraduate student for a year-long project developing an idea, product and/or piece of research to fulfil your unique business challenges and needs. The student will have full access to the University's world-class scientific facilities and the dedicated supervision of a Hertfordshire expert to deliver your chosen project.

Who can we work with?

Your project is within the pharmaceutical, clinical and life sciences or agri-tech and emerging technologies in food, farming and the environment
You qualify as an SME and have a registered business address in England
Your project is scoped to be completed within 12 months

Our funding allows us to work with small-to-medium-sized enterprises, and especially companies with the potential to grow. We are particularly interested in supporting Hertfordshire-based companies, but are keen to hear from any SMEs that can support a project that could be at least partly-located at the University of Hertfordshire.

What research can we support?

Your project qualifies as Research and Development Project under the European Commission Research and Development and Innovation Framework
Projects must include research to acquire new, underlying knowledge that would support the development of a new product or service
The project work must be suitable for write-up as an academic report

Our collaborative partner, the University of Hertfordshire understands the challenges facing the biotech and pharma market and clearly has the expertise in this area. Although the project is still at its early stages, the initial results have already generated increased interest.

Sandor Kantor

Scientific Lead, Transpharmation

Why work with Herts

Significant cost reduction
A project such as this is valued between £38-£40,000. Your contribution is a significantly subsidised rate for a comprehensive piece of unique research that you get to direct. Companies are required to contribute £10,000 towards the cost of the project (just 25% of the total project cost).
Access our team of experts
You will have a dedicated team of academic and professional staff throughout the duration of the project, including at application stage to help with scoping your project. You will have access to the University of Hertfordshire’s state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories and network of experts working in your sector to support the delivery of the project.
A dedicated postgraduate researcher
You will be involved in the recruitment of the postgraduate on the project, so you have full oversight of the process. The postgraduate receives a Masters by Research at the conclusion of the project in order to ensure the academic rigour of the research undertaken and after one year, you will have access to a postgraduate uniquely exposed to the operations of your business and ready for employment.

If you are interested, please complete the form below and one of our team will be in touch. Places are unfortunately limited and so the process will be selective.

Expressions of interest close on 30 April 2021.

Get in touch to see how we can help