The USW Partnership & Engagement Programme, funded by HEFCW, is a simple-to-access scheme providing funded scoping and feasibility support from University of South Wales' experts. The programme aims to enhance and grow sustainable partnerships and collaborations with the University of South Wales by fully-funding early-stage collaborative activity.
To discuss an application or request a guidance pack, simply call 01443 48 22 66 or email uswexchange@southwales.ac.uk.
There are 4 key strands of activity for which funded support can be accessed. These are: Economic Growth & Prosperity; Enhancing Workforce Skills; Establishing Industry-Academic Partnerships, and Civic Prosperity & Engagement. Each strand makes available up to £500 worth of support from USW, the equivalent of 8 hours of expert intervention.
By undertaking a funded skills audit/training needs assessment, leading to the design of tailored CPD or training intervention that addresses skills gaps.
By undertaking strategic relationship mapping; facilitated technical facility tours; expertise-led showcase events, resulting in scoping paper or partnership proposal.
By connecting to expertise to support scoping & feasibility of new products, processes or innovations; identifying next steps e.g. further research funding or consultancy.
By working to understand regional challenges, seeking to develop proposals for interventions to strengthen communities and their economic resilience.
The aim of this programme is to increase industry-academic collaboration and partnerships, whilst supporting the delivery of positive economic impacts for Wales.
Initial early-stage activity such as scoping, feasibility and diagnostic is fully funded & explored alongside our team of experts. Following this activity, our dedicated Engagement Managers will support you to take this further by developing a pathway for further ongoing engagement. This may include:
Applications can request funding for between 1 to 3 strands (i.e between £500 to £1,500 funded support), where organisations clearly articulate how the proposed collaboration will deliver outcomes across each of the strand themes they are applying to.
Each strand of work will result in a scoping/feasibility paper, or CPD/skills development plan, or proposal for continued collaboration and next steps.
As part of the University’s strategy to support businesses through the economic recovery period, businesses will not be required to provide 'match funding' during year one of this programme (Aug 20 - July 21).
Our aim is to support as many businesses as possible to benefit from the Partnership and Engagement Programme. With this in mind, the process is as simple as possible, and paperwork is kept to a minimum. If you'd like to discuss suitability of your proposal for the programme first, our team can be contacted here.
You can submit your application directly to USW Exchange, or our engagement team can support you in developing the application.
Your application is reviewed within 14 days and assessed based on the criteria laid out in the provided guidance document.
Once approved, we'll connect you with our experts to begin undertaking the collaborative work as outlined in your application.
Following this support we'll ask you to complete a second short form considering further opportunities to build on this work.
Find the most commonly asked questions about the Partnership and Engagement Programme below. Have a question we haven't covered? Simply drop us an email or give us a call on 01443 482266 to speak with a member of our business engagement team.
To request an application form & guidance pack and to discuss a proposal for the Partnership and Engagement Programme contact the USW Exchange team now on uswexchange@southwales.ac.uk or by calling 01443 482266.
USW Exchange,
Llantwit Road,
Treforest,
Pontypridd CF37 1DL
USW Exchange,
Usk Way,
Newport,
NP20 2BP
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