How to win funds and influence people

In an environment where securing grant funding has become a key marker of academic success and a powerful driver for industrial new product development, the ability to systematically maximise your probability of receiving funding is becoming an increasingly valuable skill.

This presentation seeks to deliver an overview of EU and UK based funding schemes. It will raise awareness of the latest funding opportunities offered by the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and the Horizon 2020 programme for Research and Innovation. The presentation will shed light on the evaluation process and aims to present some tips and guidance towards assessing concepts, building consortia and ultimately preparing, a successful proposal.

Dr Ian Gee is the Managing Director and Co-founder of Iconiq Innovation. Iconiq is one of Europe’s most successful grant acquisition consultancies focussing on securing funding for its client’s new product developments. Prior to establishing Iconiq, Ian has held roles as the Managing Director of the Paint Research Association, as Director of Northern Europe for Pera Innovation, as Head of Nanotechnology and with research and development positions at Qinetiq and Rolls-Royce. Ian and the teams that he has worked with have been responsible for securing over €160 million of funding in the last ten years. Ian has a PhD and BSc in Physics.

Ajay Kapadia is the Knowledge Transfer Manager for Advanced Composites and an integral member of the Materials team at the Knowledge Transfer Network. A Mechanical Engineer by training, he also has a Masters in Manufacturing Engineering. Ajay has been working with composite materials for about 25 years across a number of industry sectors, including aerospace, oil and gas, construction and marine. Prior to joining KTN, he specialised in the development of new composite materials and processes. Ajay also established TWI’s Adhesives, Composites and Sealants Group and has a good knowledge of collaborative and contract R&D. At KTN, Ajay supports SMEs in the Materials Sector seeking to innovate mainly by signposting them to funding, organising community events and reviewing funding applications.