The Low Carbon KEEP (Knowledge-East of England-Partners) programme aims to support East of England businesses to innovate and grow through University partnerships and knowledge transfer. By improving internal capabilities and implementing a low carbon approach to business through academic guidance, companies can increase profitability and competitiveness. Typical Low Carbon KEEP projects run for 4-18 months however the benefits of such collaborations far outlast the length of the project.
Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Low Carbon KEEP grant will cover 40% of eligible project costs as well as fund up to 40% of the costs of purchasing capital items, such as essential equipment or software, which are fundamental to the success of a Low Carbon KEEP project. The average contribution expected from the participating business varies from project to project, but on average amounts to £20,000-£24,000 per year.
The project is managed and delivered by an experienced graduate, working either full or part-time within a business. The graduate acts as a conduit between an academic expert and a company, ensuring that the latest research and expertise is available to the business.
Key Benefits
Some of the key benefits resulting from a Low Carbon KEEP project as reported by SMEs who have participated in the programme are:
•Substantial cost savings •Increased profitability
•Product and service improvements
•Development of new products and IP
•Staff up-skilling
Key Statistics
As of December 2012 the Low Carbon KEEP programme has funded over 35 projects. Some key statistics include:
•Total value of investment so far – £1,696,644
•Total ERDF grant allocated so far – £678,658
•Total SME match attracted so far – £870,607
•Total amount of knowledge transfer financed so far – 37 years equivalent
Are we eligible?
The Low Carbon KEEP Programme is open to small and medium sized companies (SMEs) registered in the six East of England counties (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk). Most business sectors are eligible including charities and not for profit organisations, although the coal, agricultural and fisheries sectors are excluded due to European funding regulations.
In order to be successful when applying, a business will need to cover the following eligibility criteria:
•is based in Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
•employs less than 249 people
•has an annual turnover of less than 50m euro
•has total assets equivalent to less than 43m euro
•is not more than 25% owned by a parent company
•has not received more than 200,000 euro state aid in the last three fiscal years
What is the capital grant scheme?
The Low Carbon KEEP capital grant scheme allows SMEs to recoup 40% of the cost of purchasing capital items, such as essential equipment or software, which are fundamental to the success of a Low Carbon KEEP project. The capital grant funding can be used to purchase more than one item on more than one occasion. All capital items purchased utilising Low Carbon KEEP capital grant funding will remain in the ownership of the SME partner. Should the Low Carbon KEEP project come to a premature conclusion, the amount of the capital grant awarded will be proportionally reduced. If you decide not to apply for capital funding at the beginning of your Low Carbon KEEP project, but change your mind afterwards, you can still apply at a later date, provided your project has not come to an end.
What are the project timings?
•Project length is at the discretion of the company, in consultation with the participating academic partner, and can be between 4 and 18 months
•Projects must be completed before December 2014
•The project graduate can work either full or part-time, they can be recruited specifically for the project or already employed by the university or business
How do we hire the graduate?
Graduates are hired by the university partners thus removing the burden of employment liability from the business. The university Human Resources department will have a standard procedure for hiring in staff, though you will be fully engaged in the selection process.
How do I apply?
For an informal chat and a copy of the application form please contact a member of our delivery team. Alternatively please visit the Ask Uni East page. This is not a formal part of the application process, but provides us with the information that we can help to match your project with an appropriate academic partner.
•Carole Randall, Programme Manager carole.randall@anglia.ac.uk 0845 196 4310
•Marla Fuchs, Programme Co-ordinator marla.fuchs@anglia.ac.uk 0845 196 5818
All Low Carbon KEEP project proposals are subject to approval; applications are jointly prepared by the company partner and the knowledge base partner. Approval decisions take typically 3-4 weeks after submission of a proposal.
