Higher education knowledge exchange
Knowledge Exchange is the process through which universities and colleges share their research, expertise, skills and facilities with businesses, public bodies, charities and communities to create economic and social benefits. Knowledge Exchange helps translate research into practical solutions, supports innovation, improves productivity and strengthens collaboration between academia and external partners across Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Higher Education Innovation Fund (NI HEIF)
The Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) is the Department for the Economy's primary mechanism for supporting Knowledge Exchange in Northern Ireland's universities. Through flexible funding provided to Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, HEIF supports the specialist staff, expertise and infrastructure needed to help universities work with business, commercialise research, develop new technologies, support innovation and create economic and societal impact.
This core funding is currently approximately £4m per annum.
For further information, please contact the Department at research.branch@economy-ni.gov.uk.
ConnectED
ConnectED is a collaborative programme involving Northern Ireland's universities and further education colleges. It helps businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), access the knowledge, skills and expertise available across the higher and further education sectors. Through knowledge exchange projects, business engagement activities and innovation support, ConnectED encourages companies to develop new products, services and processes while strengthening links between industry and academia.
For further information, please visit the Connected website or contact the department at research.branch@economy-ni.gov.uk.