JISC

JISC invites institutions to submit funding proposals for projects that will demonstrate good practice in access to resources for external parties (Strand 1) and open innovation (Strand II), as part of its Business and Community Engagement Programme.

Strand 1 – Access to Resources

Demonstrator projects of locally-based and collaborative integrated service models, which will provide information and knowledge services to external business and community parties.

Total funds: £450,000. Up to 5 projects will be funded. Maximum funding for any one project is £100,000.

Strand II – Open Innovation

Pilot projects in online open innovation, which will open up institutional ideas and services for co-development with collaborating business and community external user groups.

Total funds: £350,000. Up to 4 projects will be funded. Maximum funding for any one project is £100,000.

The call has a dual purpose to:

• enhance the institutional role in facilitating and generating innovation, by exploiting online media and extending institutions’ business and community engagement services through innovative partnership and collaborative models.
• improve access to information and knowledge resources, and development opportunities, for external parties.

Projects in both strands should start by the end of June 2010 and run for 12 months.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is 12 noon UK time on 19 April 2010.

Eligibility:  Proposals may be submitted by HE institutions funded via HEFCE, SFC, HEFCW and DEL Northern Ireland, and by FE institutions funded via SFC, DCELLS Wales and DEL Northern Ireland.  FE institutions in England that teach HE to more than 400 FTEs are also eligible to bid provided proposals demonstrate how the work supports the HE in FE agenda.

Institutions can only bid for either Strand I access to resources demonstrators, or Strand II open innovation pilots. They must not submit more than one bid. This is intended to maximise the success of the projects and the institutional focus of commitment.