Business Engagement and Partnerships (BEP)

Next deadline (Business Engagement Seed Fund) – 12pm, 16 January 2025

Business engagement can take many different forms, including undertaking an industry placement or internship; conducting a research project to address specific industry challenges; testing and analysing business partners’ existing methods; and securing an industrial partner’s support in a research grant bid.

BEP-related funding schemes include:

Business Engagement Seed Fund – next deadline: 12pm, Thursday 16th January 2025
A maximum of £25,000 is available per proposal to fund directly incurred costs (funding covers 100% of direct costs) for building mutually beneficial partnerships with external stakeholders. Funding covers direct costs and can typically include RA time, travel and subsistence, costs for online activity and external consultancy (academic staff time cannot be charged). Projects must finish by 31 July 2025.

ASPECT Social Science Innovation Fellowships - closed as of 3 May 2022
Applicants may apply for up to £12,500 to fund salary or buy-out, depending on contractual circumstances. Funds can also be used for direct costs, including RA time, related to impact or engagement activities. Innovation Fellowships will run until 31 March 2023. 

Aspect Research Commercialisation (ARC) Accelerator - Closed
Provides entrepreneurial skills training and the chance to compete to win £50,000 to support your proposed venture. Open to applications from social sciences researchers across Oxford and its Aspect partners. Contact chris.fellingham@innovation.ox.ac.uk for details.