Knowledge Exchange Vouchers

Do you need help to

• find practical solutions to problems that are barriers to your organisation’s performance or
• develop new perspectives on challenges which are holding back progress?

If so a Knowledge Exchange Voucher (KEV) could be right for you and right for your organisation.

The KEV scheme has been launched to encourage organisations which have had no or very little previous interaction with The Open University before to sample what it is like and secure the benefits. The voucher will pay for a certain number of days of OU academic or PhD student time; enough to help you find an answer or explore the options to a particularly pressing question or challenge, or it can be used to help you undertake a small piece of research, conduct a literature review, a study or analyse existing data sets.

“Engagement with academic partners can bring new perspectives to otherwise intractable problems and allow companies the space to explore options in a fresh way”.

Source: CBI report 'Stronger together - businesses and universities in turbulent times'.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by 31st May 2012. Projects have to start and finish within a dedicated timescale. Full terms and conditions will be provided upon registration. Only one application per company will be accepted and all projects are subject to availability and eligibility.

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• possibility of new product/service or a larger project emerging from the work
• quality of technological/service element of project
• possibility of further longer-term engagement with the organisation
• track record/reputation of recipient and provider
• added value in partnership between the organisation and The Open University.

There are a limited number of opportunities, so contact Denise Pasquet on 01908 332893 or email denise.pasquet@open.ac.uk now to find out how KEV can work for you.