Fundraising as an integrated part of your PhD

– hands on experiences from access2innovationJacob Ravn, Dept. of Development and Planning

Agenda:•Introduction to access2innovation

•Recommendations

Why access2innovation

Why access2innovation

Ver. 1.0 Target group: Red Cross; UN DanChurchAid, Oxfam

FN( 18.7 billlion. $);NGO sector (DK 934 millioner. DKr. / 6,7% af samlet bistand). EU 3,2 billion Euro; Demining 475 millioner. $. pr.year.)

Ver. 3.0 Target group: End user

Needs: Millennium Development Goals

• Food

• Energy

• Health

• Education

Ver. 2.0 Target group: NGO’s in developing countries

Trend in product development targeting developing countries

Introduction: what is access2innovation

Access2innovation is a network combining knowledge, expertise and resources from end users / NGO’s, companies and researchers so as to meet the evident demands in developing countries

Access2innovation was launched in 2007 by DanChurchAid Aid,Aalborg University, North and South Denmark EU Officeand Confederation of Danish Industries.

NGO / Civil Society Universities

Regional / local , expertise and

networks

Technical knowhow, production capacity,

marketing etc.

State-of the art knowledge

Companies

Access2innovation: the approach

Expected output:• NGO’s get better tools for operational activities in relief and development work• Universities get access to new knowledge and research areas • Companies gain access to

• New knowledge • Networks• Positioning• New markets End users get better products / services

Mapping of needs

Identification of possible solutions

Joint development

Commercialization

The presumed process:

Energy efficient demining

Bio gas plants in Bangladesh

Ganesha India

www.Biogasafrica.org

Grameen Shatki

India to Gether

Funding of activities

NGO / Civil Society Universities

Regional / local , expertise and

networks

Technical knowhow, production capacity,

marketing etc.

State-of the art knowledge

Companies

Bio gas Ministry of Foreign Affairs -BoP / IPD program(4. Mio. Kr.)

Green generatorEBST – Program for user driven innovation(5.6 Mio. Kr)

Sky Watch / View WorldICI – Network based business innovation (7.2 Mio. Kr.)

Project funding Network funding

2 grants of 250.000 kr. from VækstForum Nord

1 grant of 7.1 Mio. Kr. primarily research on the topic through action research / new partnerships

1 grant of 18. Mio. Kr. focusing on company / network development

Funding strategy

Dead line for application

Call is open

Funding strategy

Develop your concept / project idea

Dead line for application

Call is open

Map out potential funding opportunities

Prepare your application

Recommendations

1. Develop a conceptual strategy for your research group out lining different sub project of interest including:-PhD / Post doc-Private/ public sector involvement etc.

2. Ask AAU Innovation to participate in developing a funding strategy where you match potential regional / national / EU programs of interest and prioritize your options (max 2-3 applications pr. Year).

3. Get support form management

4. Develop 1-2 page concept notes on your idea to be used for eventual contact to stakeholders (companies / public institutions / other researchers / AAU Innovation etc.)

5. Start identifying / building up your project / partnership well beyond dead line

6. If you all ready god pilot cases / research that provides the platform for coming applications think about press / stake holder management (who would support your work)

Recommendations

7. Select the program(s) that matches your idea and go through documentation carefully:- Guidelines- Previous support project- Government policies on the areas This to see if your project fits the overall objectives of the program and not the least to get ideas on how to “pitch” your application (usually there is a lot of buzz words).

8. If possible initiate contact to the person in charge of the program before call is open to:-Shortly present your idea (OBS do not be to technical you are speaking to a bureaucrat) -Ask what the coming program will focus on-If possible setup a meeting to present your project idea

9. Once the call is open-Start developing the application and if need be ask for assistance from AAU Innovation-Get support from the institute on the budgets-Respect all bureaucratic details – to many projects have been neglected due to formalities

Recommendations

- It takes a lot of time to prepare applications – which can influence your work on the PhD / post doc. - Once you got the projects approved the ”game is in play”, meaning administration, project management, start up of work with external partners

Ask for:- Allocation of time and resources from management to develop applications-AAU Innovation to participate in mapping out possible funding opportunities and coordinate if interest from several institutes

NO GO’s-Developing applications in last minute unless you are asked to do so -Developing you project alone (budget / partnership / application / formalities)-Trying to adjust / label your project so that is fits program objectives