FAQs for businesses

Organisations interested in working with the University of Warwick should begin by submitting an Expression of Interest through the WISpr application form.

This allows CAMaCS and the Warwick Business Partnerships team to review your challenge, identify relevant academic expertise, and assess alignment with current UK innovation funding opportunities.

If your challenge is still developing, the Business Partnerships team can help refine your idea and guide you through the application process before submission.

No. Many successful collaborations begin with a business challenge rather than a fully developed research project.

The purpose of WISpr is to help shape these challenges into strong research collaborations and funding proposals.

A strong submission clearly describes:

• the business or technical problem your organisation is facing
• why existing solutions may not be sufficient
• where advanced expertise (for example in data science, AI, modelling, or analytics) could contribute
• the potential impact if the challenge is successfully addressed.

Challenges involving complex data, modelling, optimisation, or advanced analytics are particularly well suited to WISpr.

The application form asks organisations to indicate a relevant Innovate UK funding opportunity where possible.

If you are unsure which funding call may be appropriate, the Business Partnerships team can help identify suitable opportunities before you submit your application.

You do not need to know exactly how these techniques would be applied.

Simply outline where you believe advanced analysis, modelling, or data-driven approaches might help address the challenge.

The WISpr team will work with relevant academics to explore the most appropriate technical approaches.

The application form asks organisations to describe the expected benefits of solving the challenge.

This might include:

• improving products or services
• developing new capabilities or technologies
• improving operational efficiency
• addressing regulatory or societal challenges
• creating new market opportunities.

The form asks applicants to indicate how they might prefer to work with the University of Warwick.

Possible routes include:

• collaborative research projects supported by external funding
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)
• contract or sponsored research
• consultancy or specialist technical advice
• student projects or exploratory collaborations.

If you are unsure which route is most appropriate, this can be discussed during the review process.

Once submitted:

• the challenge is reviewed by CAMaCS and Warwick Business Partnerships
• relevant academic experts may be consulted
• the challenge is assessed against suitable funding opportunities.

If there is a good fit, we will work with you to develop a collaborative project proposal or funding application.

Timescales depend on the collaboration route.

Typical examples include:

• Consultancy or contract research: weeks to a few months
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP): approximately 3–6 months for application and approval
• Collaborative grant projects: dependent on funding call schedules
• Student projects: usually aligned with academic terms

IP arrangements depend on the collaboration model.

Where a company funds work at Full Economic Cost (FEC), the company typically owns the foreground IP, while the university retains rights to use the knowledge for teaching and academic research purposes.

For collaborative grant funded projects, IP arrangements are usually determined by the rules of the funding body and agreed between project partners.

Background IP remains with the original owner.

Organisations are encouraged to highlight any red lines or constraints early in discussions, including confidentiality requirements or licensing expectations.

This helps ensure the collaboration structure works for all parties.

As a research institution, the university normally seeks the ability to publish academic findings.

However, publication can usually be delayed to allow protection of intellectual property or confidential information, and the timing can be agreed as part of the project contract.

Yes. Many collaborations begin with smaller exploratory activities such as:

• student consultancy projects
• short feasibility studies
• pilot collaborations.

These can help shape larger research projects or funding proposals.

If a challenge submitted through WISpr is not progressed through the programme, the Business Partnerships team will work with you to explore other potential ways of collaborating with the University of Warwick.

If you already have a clearly defined challenge, we recommend submitting it through the WISpr application form.

If you would like support developing your idea or understanding the process, the Warwick Business Partnerships team can help you prepare your submission and guide you through the WISpr application process.

Business Partnerships acts as a single point of contact, helping organisations connect with the appropriate expertise across the University of Warwick.