Research Courses with Industry Scheme
Innovation support for West Yorkshire organisations developing health and health-tech solutions
Research Courses with Industry (RCI) helps West Yorkshire organisations develop innovative health and health-tech products, services and solutions through collaborative research opportunities supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) HealthTech Investment Zone.
The scheme is open to organisations from a wide range of sectors where the proposed project has a clear health or health-tech focus. Whether you're an engineering company developing a new medical device, a technology business exploring digital health solutions, or an organisation seeking to improve healthcare services or outcomes, RCI could help you access the expertise needed to move your ideas forward.
Eligible organisations contribute 50% of project costs, with the remaining 50% supported through the programme, making it a cost-effective way to access specialist expertise, dedicated research support and future talent. Projects are matched to the university and academic team best placed to support the organisation's needs.
Why get involved with the scheme?
Research Courses with Industry supports 50% of eligible project costs, helping organisations access specialist expertise and research capability while reducing the financial barriers often associated with innovation projects.
Organisations can access the relevant expertise from one the programme's partner universities.
Collaborate on projects that address real-world challenges and support the development of new products, services, technologies and ways of working.
Work with highly skilled research students who can bring fresh perspectives, specialist knowledge and dedicated time to projects that matter to your organisation. Or submit a suitable current employee to develop themselves further by undertaking postgraduate study.
Develop relationships with academic experts and research communities that can support future innovation, growth and skills development.
Ways to collaborate
Research Courses with Industry offers a range of opportunities for organisations to engage with research, innovation and future talent.
Research Degree Projects
Collaborate on Master's or PhD-level research projects aligned to a challenge, opportunity or area of strategic importance within your organisation.
Research Student Placements
Host current research students and benefit from their specialist skills, knowledge and research expertise while providing valuable industry experience.
Why Research Courses with Industry?
Research Courses with Industry is designed to make it easier for organisations to access research expertise, innovation support and future talent.
Every organisation is different, and so is every project. Rather than directing organisations towards a particular institution, RCI focuses on identifying the expertise, research environment and collaboration opportunity best suited to your needs.
Whether you're developing a new product, exploring a new market opportunity, improving a process or addressing a specific challenge, RCI can help you move from idea to implementation.
By combining access to partner university expertise, research talent and 50% funding support, the programme helps organisations explore opportunities that might otherwise be difficult to pursue. Our aim is to connect organisations with the right expertise, regardless of where it sits within the partnership.
About the West Yorkshire Investment Zone
The West Yorkshire Investment Zone is a programme of targeted support to develop the innovation infrastructure and businesses in our region. West Yorkshire is already a centre for health innovation. The Investment Zone guarantees £160 million in central government funding over 10 years to build on that strength. It will keep our research facilities at the cutting edge, create new jobs, increase our productivity as a region and attract up to a quarter of a billion pounds in private sector investment.
This programme will establish West Yorkshire as one of the UK’s most influential hubs for health-tech. Anchored by key sites in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield, it brings together public, private and third-sector organisations to create jobs, boost productivity and attract significant private investment. It will attract entrepreneurs and investors to integrate talent, research and infrastructure. It will accelerate innovation and development, improve health outcomes and export our intellectual property across the globe.
Contact us
Please email izrci@hud.ac.uk if you have any queries or request further information.
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