Funding announced for business-academic collaborations

A new round of Advanced Innovation Voucher funding, totalling £200,000, has been launched to support businesses seeking to build longer-term partnerships with academic institutions. The funding opportunity opened on Wednesday, 30th July.

Provided by Scottish Enterprise and managed by Interface, this funding aims to encourage collaborative projects that drive the creation of new products, processes, and services. The Advanced Innovation Vouchers specifically target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Scotland, offering financial support on a sliding scale with businesses contributing match funding of up to £20,000.

Since its inception in 2011, the Advanced Innovation Voucher programme has awarded £1.94 million to support 159 projects connecting businesses with academic expertise.

Paul Cross, Innovation Team Leader at Scottish Enterprise, explained the importance of the funding:
“The Advanced Innovation Voucher funding helps unlock deeper collaboration between ambitious businesses and academia, converting cutting-edge research into globally competitive products and services. These businesses have the potential to scale, attract investment, create high-quality jobs across Scotland, and lead their industries in the future. Our funding and support is part of our long-term strategy and missions approach to scale innovation in growth sectors where Scotland excels.”

Laura Goodfellow, Associate Director of Innovation Engagement at Interface, added:
“This funding provides a fantastic opportunity for businesses aiming to scale innovative projects—whether building on a successful partnership or launching a new venture. Interface is here to help businesses connect with the academic expertise that can drive their ideas forward and support them with funding to achieve their research and development ambitions.”

One example of successful collaboration is East Kilbride-based Airglove Medical Ltd. The company accessed the Advanced Innovation Voucher funding through a partnership brokered by Interface with Edinburgh Napier University to develop their medical products further. Scottish Enterprise has also recognised the potential of Airglove Medical’s innovative patient wellbeing products through equity investment.

Sheena Jack, Marketing and Design Director at Airglove Medical Ltd, commented:
“We were delighted to work with Edinburgh Napier University and access funding for the project through the Advanced Innovation Voucher. Their knowledge and expertise, along with their enthusiasm for Airglove, has enabled us to develop prototypes and given us a strong industry/academic relationship. We are looking forward to working with Professor Chan See and his team on the next phase of Airglove.”

Professor Chan Hwang See from the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University highlighted the broader impact of the project:
“The Standard and Advanced Innovation Voucher scheme enabled us to bring together a multidisciplinary research team with expertise in product design, electronics, electrical engineering, and biomedical devices. The project has engaged several students, enhancing their experience and skills in working with industry. Additionally, the knowledge gained will support future funding applications, inform several final-year and MSc student projects, and contribute to teaching materials—helping to equip the next generation of engineers with industry-relevant expertise.”

Businesses interested in applying for the Advanced Innovation Vouchers should note the upcoming application deadlines: 30th September, 31st October, and 28th November 2025.

For further information on application criteria and how to apply, visit:
Advanced Innovation Vouchers | Interface Online