Jisc case studies wiki Case studies / Pathfinder funding at the University of Leeds
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Pathfinder funding at the University of Leeds

By Emma Nolan, previously at the University of Leeds

 

For example the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) at the University of Leeds identified a small pot of money (low tens of £k) which was ring-fenced to pay consultants from their community (in the order of £2-£3k), to work up applications for Research Council Follow-on Funding and similar Proof of Concept (PoC) style funds (such as Collaboration Fund). A particularly useful intermediary funding source was the Research Council Pathfinder awards, which allowed them to leverage further resource from the community to then go on to develop more detailed and full follow-on funding applications. This allowed them to preserve and spread the small initial stake more widely.

 

They then put a number of relevant opportunities out to the Leeds Innovation Network and other networks such as the Knowledge Vine to attract consultants with expertise in their relevant markets/fields. In the first round of this they attracted the support of two new consultants, one of whom agreed to work up a pathfinder award for a small amount of upfront payment. The second was willing to work on a pro bono basis to assist in a full follow-on fund application, which if successful, will enable the University to draw down the monies to fund their further involvement.

 

In summary, if the consultants have a little cash to start engaging, a clear line of sight along the next steps in the funding pathway, and enough incentive to keep climbing those steps, much can be achieved for a very low initial stake.

 

Achieving the balance of give and take

 

So cash and trade is critical to a functioning market. And this will motivate the most hungry and entrepreneurial consultants, but as alluded to above, much can be achieved without any (individual) project outlay. At the Universities of Leeds and York the process starts with the poll, requesting interested consultants to rank opportunities in terms of viability and interest.

 

This provides a very important initial screen for the KTO for free. However, in wanting to keep the market/community dynamic healthy it's important not to ask too much for free from the consultants - even at the wisdom of the crowds stage. The participants need to get something back from participating in the community, and the promise of more, otherwise they may become turned off by feeling they are contributing without getting anything in return.