Applying for External Funding

Research and Innovation (R&I) is the research development and commercialisation department within the University of Aberdeen.

R&I provides help and advice to University of Aberdeen's researchers to maximise their research income from the funding opportunities available and commercialise the output from their research.

Role of Business Development Officers in Research & Innovation

Business Development Officers (BDOs) are part of the R&I Business Development Team. By assigning BDOs to particular Colleges, it allows them to build up an excellent understanding of the research strengths and interests of academic staff within the College. The general role of BDOs are:

• Promoting the University's research capabilities and seeking new opportunities to maintain and enhance research income.
• Developing strong relationship with key customers and maintaining up to date contacts and awareness.
• Working closely with the Head of College, Research Director, College Office Team, and academic staff to develop tailored support programmes to assist the College in winning more research income.
• Supporting academic staff in completing research applications to increase the number, value and success rate in terms of awards.
• Identifying new sources of research funding for both project based and long term strategy.
• Providing support and guidance in the negotiation and drafting of contractual terms and conditions for research and other income generating activities.
• Providing advice on the management of research and development projects within the College.
• Collaborating with other members of R&I in the identification, assessment and exploitation of commercial development opportunities.
• Assisting in the monitoring of intellectual property arising from research and development projects and to work with internal and external groups to assess IP for commercial development.

Specific BDO Roles in Grant Applications

Before receiving the proposal/application form, BDOs will:

• Talk to academic staff to provide advice and support on funding opportunities and the internal approval process;
• Answer general queries relating to a wide range of funding bodies and funding schemes;
• Liaise with Research Financial Services (RFS) and other university sections to provide information needed in application forms and tenders e.g. quality control procedures, health and safety policies, audited financial reports, VAT information, insurance certificates, university support letters, ethics approval etc;
• Providing support and guidance in the negotiation and drafting of contractual terms and conditions;
• Liaise with external parties to negotiate terms and conditions;
• Provide institutional signatures for grant applications, awards, tenders and agreements relating to research.

After receiving the proposal/application form, BDO's will:

• Check the proposals against funding guidelines and scheme notes from funding bodies.
• Undertake a final check of the proposal before submission to ensure that the proposals have complied with the guidelines and meet the requirements of the funding bodies.

Business Development Officers

Dr Jenifer Scott
Research and Innovation
Tel: 01224 273739
Email: j.scott@abdn.ac.uk

For EU projects:

Kerry Kidd/Helena Rogers
Research and Innovation
Tel: 01224 272663/273682
Email: europe-rg@abdn.ac.uk