ST ANDREWS INNOVATION FELLOWSHIP
INTRODUCTION
The St Andrews Innovation Fellowship has been designed to encourage entrepreneurial academics and professional services staff to develop their innovative research or commercial ideas, in line with the Entrepreneurial St Andrews strategic pillar. The Innovation Fellowship is a competitive internal opportunity that provides one year of buyout support in the first instance*. Up to four fellowships will be funded by the University per year (1st September to 31st August). The fellowship can also provide an additional budget to the fellow to support expenses related to fellowship activity, for example, business travel. The St Andrews Innovation Fellow would be able to devote their attention to entrepreneurial activity full-time during the term of the fellowship and would be bought out of existing activity, such as teaching and School service roles. It is envisaged that research activity would continue, and the fellowship holder would also be expected to continue to supervise PGR and ECR researchers as appropriate. The Fellow will work closely with the team at St Andrews Innovation (SI), and their wider network, who will support the venture creation activity.
* support beyond Year One at the discretion of the Fellowship panel (the Quaestor and Vice Principal (Research, Collections and Innovation) and dependent upon performance
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
Purpose:
- To translate research and innovative ideas into a commercial venture, generating impact to society and/or the environment, in line with the University’s strategic objectives
Remit:
- Focus will be on further developing novel research or innovative ideas, with application to a problem with a commercial solution.
- An SI Project Manager will provide comprehensive support in developing the venture with the objective of company creation and spinning out.
- Seek to access spinout-targeted funding to fast-track the commercialisation of the research/idea.
Expectations:
- You will be accountable for progress measurement against agreed milestones.
- You will establish communication and operational protocols with your SI Project Manager.
- You will be expected to adapt with the challenges that present themselves, focusing on how to ultimately solve an identified problem using your technology/idea (that may require pivoting and rethinking the solution/product/technology)
ELIGIBILITY
- Applicants need to demonstrate they have completed the Entrepreneurial St Andrews Venture Creation programme.
- Applicants need to demonstrate they have had robust interactions with the Entrepreneurial St Andrews team via a Letter of support required.
If the business/enterprise is not at this stage, potential applicants may wish to engage with the Entrepreneurial St Andrews team to continue to develop until such a stage is reached.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Stage One:
In the first instance an Expression of Interest (EoI) using this online form must be submitted by the proposed Fellow’s Head of School/Professional Services Unit Head. In deciding to apply, the Head of School or Unit must be confident that an appropriate plan could be put in place to support the previous day-to-day activities of the fellow. Staff applying from Professional Services should also ensure that any application is discussed with their direct Line Manager prior to submission by the Head of Unit.
Stage Two:
EoIs that are successful will be invited to submit a full case for support through the online form.
SUPPORT PROVIDED
During the term of the fellowship, costs equivalent to a grade 6 pt 30 post (approx. £49k with on costs in 2024-25) would be returned to the School for them to use flexibly to obtain activity replacement. For Professional Service Units appropriate replacement costs would be considered and should be agreed between the unit and the Quaestor prior to the submission of any second stage application. A maximum additional £20k per annum may also be applied for to support activity during the fellowship. A justification of resources is required for invited applications to the second stage. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Director of Enterprise at [email protected]. There is the potential of extension to a second year should this be required and subject to appropriate aims and objectives having been met to a satisfactory standard. The St Andrews Innovation team will provide additional support above and beyond the explicit Fellowship support outlined above.