Yorkshire Forward invests £2.2 million in sixty five fellowships in Yorkshire and Humber

13/05/2009

Yorkshire Forward has invested £2.2 million in 65 Fellowships across Yorkshire and Humber through the Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship Programme designed to assist cutting edge innovation in the region by helping university researchers create businesses based on their research.

Due to the high number of applications received and the quality of the proposals put forward, Yorkshire Forward has provided extra funding to award an additional five Fellowships in addition to the original 60 Fellowships which have all now been awarded.
 
Fellowships have been awarded to applicants from universities across the region working within the three key disciplines; bioscience, chemicals and healthcare technologies. Successful applicants will benefit from funding support of up to £10,000 to develop their science and assistance is available to find investors and signpost other funding sources.

In addition to the financial help, Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship Programme offers a unique package of support to Fellows for one year. They have access to a support scheme with specialist commercial expertise, project management facilities and a tailored science and business development programme.

Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship, which builds on the highly successful Bioscience Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship scheme launched in 2004, began awarding Fellowships in March 2008 and the programme of support will run for 30 months. When the scheme ends it’s hoped a host of new businesses will have been established, providing everything from medical devices to new drugs.

Jim Farmery, Assistant Director of Business at Yorkshire Forward said:
“Yorkshire Forward encourages innovation and entrepreneurship at all levels across the region. The Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship is designed to ease the route to commercial success for young scientists by providing them with an opportunity to change their bright ideas into marketable products.”

Notes to editors:

Yorkshire Forward
• Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.
• Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objective One and Two programmes.
• For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact Laura Scholey, Press Manager on 0113 3949540 or email laura.scholey@yorkshire-forward.com