Other organisations involved with innovation

Yorkshire Forward’s commitment to innovation reflects a broader, government-driven desire to boost business success as a result of new ideas and fresh thinking—and to create a knowledge-based economy. The following contains links to some of the public organisations which may be able to offer business advice, support or funding.

The Northern Way

The Northern Way was launched in 2004 to establish the North of England as an area of exceptional opportunity, combining a world-class economy with a superb quality of life. It also aims to close the prosperity gap between the northern regions and the UK average. According to the Northern Way, increasing levels of innovation are vital if the North is to solve the economic and social challenges of the 21st century. The economic implications of globalisation, together with the need to tackle environmental and social issues (such as reducing energy use and increasing food production) mean that all types of innovation are essential to ensure our future prosperity and quality of life. Innovation is a key driver of productivity, and increasing levels of business-led innovation in the North are vital to improve economic competitiveness and national progress.

TSB

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is a non-departmental public body established by the government in 2007 and sponsored by DIUS (see above). TSB is supported and funded by DIUS and other government departments, the devolved administrations, regional development agencies and research councils.

NESTA

The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) is an independent body whose mission is to make the UK more innovative. They invest in early-stage companies, inform and shape policy, and deliver practical programmes which inspire others to solve the big challenges of the future.

Research Councils

The primary role of the Research Councils is to fund research. Each year the Research Councils invest around £2.8 billion in research, training and knowledge transfer: £1.3 billion in research in UK universities, around £500 million in their own research institutes, and around £300 million to gain access to international facilities for UK researchers. There are 7 councils:

Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF)

The Higher Education Innovation Fund is a funding programme designed to encourage knowledge transfer in universities and other higher-education institutions in England. It is the core mechanism for supporting knowledge transfer within the English higher-education sector.

DIUS

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) brings together two former departments: innovation and science from the Department of Trade and Industry, and skills and further/higher education from the Department for Education and Skills. In building a dynamic, knowledge-based economy, DIUS’ goal is to bring together the UK’s strengths in colleges, research, science and universities.

BIS

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) exists to encourage business success in an increasingly competitive world, and is the voice for business across government. BIS leads the drive to raise levels of productivity in the UK; to create the conditions for business success; and to strengthen the economic performance of all the regions.

Contact

If you’d like to find out more about these issues, speak to a member of the Yorkshire Forward Innovation Support team:

Holly Jones
Innovation Support Executive
(Holly.Jones@Yorkshire-Forward.com)
Tel: 0113 394 9916

If the contact you're looking for isn’t listed here, please visit our main contact page.