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Technology Gateway Programme Guidelines 2018-2022 1st August 2017

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Technology Gateway Programme

Guidelines 2018-2022

Contact
Mark Whelan
4500 Atlantic Avenue
Westpark
Shannon, Co. Clare
Email

Note:

These guidelines may be updated periodically at the discretion of the Enterprise Ireland Programme Management Team to reflect necessary changes to the operation of the programme. Where relevant, updates will be notified to the Institutions by the Programme Management Team.

Table of Contents

1.0Introduction to the Technology Gateway Programme

1.1Background

1.2 Mission of a Technology Gateway

1.3Industry Engagement

1.4Technology Gateways Network

1.5 Technology Gateway Clusters

2.0Eligibility for Programme

2.1Eligible Applicants

2.2Eligible Activities

2.3Eligible Funding

3.0Selection Process for Technology Gateway

3.1Outline

3.2Stage 1:Industry needs Assessment

3.2.1 Stage 1 Application

3.2.2 Stage 1 Assessment

3.2.3 Existing Gateways

3.3Stage 2:FullTechnology Gateway Application Process

3.3.1 Stage 2 Application

3.3.2 Stage 2 Assessment

3.4 Network Cluster Application Process

4.0Conditions of Funding

4.1Naming of Gateway

4.2Progress Reports & Performance Metrics

4.3 Mid Term Review

4.4 Location of Gateway

4.5Acknowledgement of Funding Agencies

4.6Confidentiality

4.7Standard Grant Agreement

4.8Payment of Grant

4.9Technical / Financial Audit

4.10Time Sheets

5.0Management Structure for Technology Gateway

5.1Industry Led Steering Committee

5.2Project Management

5.3Role of Gateway Manager

5.4Role of Gateway Staff

5.5Role of Academic Director(s)

5.6 Provision of Resources for Network Cluster

6.0 Institutional Commitment

6.1 Role of the Institute

6.2 Human Resource Policies

6.3 Hiring of Staff

6.4 Operations Committee

1.0Introduction to theTechnology Gateway Programme

1.1 Background

The Technology Gateways Programme has successful delivered over 1800 projects with industry since 2013. There are currently 15 Gateways based in 11 Institutes of Technology delivering projects for the benefit of local and national industry. The aim of this call is to continue funding the Technology Gateway programme for the five-year period 2018-2022.

1.2Mission of a Technology Gateway

Under this Programme, the mission of a funded Technology Gateway (a “Gateway”) involves:

  • Grow the number of scale of interactions with Irish based industry through the development of market led products & services and competitiveness / process improvements
  • Using its technological expertise to generate solutions for the close-to-market needs of Irish industry, as identified by a clearly defined industry client base.
  • Forming partnerships with industry to work on challenging problems and facilitate technology transfer to companies.
  • Providing an open access point to industry for the provision of applied research and technical expertise.
  • Serving as a portal for companies to wider expertise on a national level through a Network of Technology Gateways.
  • Engaging its industry support base strongly in its ongoing strategic development to ensure the continued relevance of the Gateway to evolving industry requirements.
  • Contributing to greater R&D and innovation activities in indigenous and foreign-owned industry in Ireland.

Successful Gateways will leverage Enterprise Ireland programmes such as Innovation Vouchers and Innovation Partnerships and undertake 100% funded innovation projects with industry to deliver technology solutions for industry for the development of new products, processes and services. They will undertake appropriate activities to maintain and develop their technology expertise and where relevant the needs of their client base;may engage in applied research projects funded from state sources (such as Enterprise Ireland or other agencies) or other sources such as EU.In addition, the Gateways will seek to build on the number of industrial projects undertaken and the number and scaleof other applied research funding sources including EU programmes, which are aligned with the Gateway’s industry work programme.

1.3Industry Engagement

1.3.1Industry Support Base

Each Gatewaywill be founded on a defined and actively engaged industry support base.This industry support base will be deeply integrated into the ongoing development of a Gateway’s technology strategy.At the first stage ofthe application process Gateways must be able to demonstrate a strong industry support base that is distributed and identified across the following levels of engagement:

Level /
  • Level of engagement of the company with proposed Gateway

1 /
  • A level 1 company is aware of the proposed Gateway’s expertise and facilities and potentially would benefit from further engagement
  • It has had consultations or meetings with the proposed Gateway team or has attended an Industry Consultation Day
  • It has intermittent contact with the proposed Gateway, for example, to obtain answers to technical queries, or in the form of short project engagement with the Gateway (e.g.small consultancy project or Innovation Voucher)

2 /
  • A Level 2 company has engaged the proposed Gateway frequently as a source of technical knowledge
  • It has completed 2-3 small projects (e.g. Innovation Vouchers or Direct Funded Projects by Industry)
  • It has attended the Industry Consultation Day & contributed to the Gateway’sapplied research and technology themes

3 /
  • A Level 3 company has a deep relationship with the proposed Gateway
  • It has completed a substantial amount of project work (e.g. 3-5 small projects such as Innovation Vouchers and/or 1-2 large projects such as Innovation Partnerships) and continues this level of engagement with the Gateway
  • It has been actively involved in defining the Gateway’s applied research and technology themes

The Gateway willbe directed by an Industry-led Steering Committee that will be chaired by an independent industry person. The Committee will have a majority industry membership to ensure focus on economic impact andthe needs of the industry support base. This committee will also contain representatives from the host Institute and from EnterpriseIreland.

1.3.2Industry Consultation

Prior to submitting theStage 1 Industry Needs Assessment which forms the first part of the programme application process (ref. section 3), the applicant will have undertaken a comprehensive consultation process with its industry support base. The purpose of this is for the applicant to ensure that there is sufficient industry relevance and supportunderpinning the proposed Gateway and to ensure that the proposed applied research and technology themes are aligned with needs identified by the companies themselves.

The consultation process will comprise three elements:

A.Industry Consultation Day(s): this will essentially be one or more workshops that will identify suitable (i.e. desired by industry) applied research & technology themes for the proposed Gateway and assess the level of industry interest in them.

B.Bilateral company-Gateway consultation (includingwritten feedback) on the proposed themes and how they map onto specific company needs.

C.A strategy with constituent technology themes that is guided and endorsed by the industry support base andagreed by the Industry Steering Committee.

For existing Gateways, the Stage 1 process will be replaced by the provision of a Strategic Plan for the next 5 years of the Gateway. This will contain the same information as the Industry Needs Assessment and shall be developed in collaboration with the Industry Steering committee, who shall endorse it in writing.

1.4Technology Gateways Network

A key objective of this Gateway Programme is to maximise the collective impact of the Gateways on industry in Ireland. Therefore, once the individual Gateways are operational, they will be connected to form a coherent Network in which each will serve as a portal to the wider community of expertise, thereby providing industry with a wider array of solutions and opportunities than previously accessible.

This Network will be branded and promoted on a regional, national and international basis to maximise industry awareness of the collective expertise available.EnterpriseIreland will establish mechanisms to:

-Develop consistent branding,

-Promote the Network to companies,

-Ensure that an effective client management system is in place,

-Monitor the use of effective and coherent proceduresfor knowledge, equipment and best practice exchange between the Gateways. This will include the sharing of project leads and contacts.

Moreover, while Gateways may focus on different technologies, there should be a consistent standard of industry experience across them, in terms of service delivery, communication and follow-up.

In applying to the Technology Gateways Programme, the applicant Institution and Gateway is signing up to full and active participation in this Network (if approved for support).

Successful implementation of this Network will allow:

  • A Gateway to serve as a local access point for companies to national technology resources and to wider community of expertise
  • Mobility of expertise and of potential solutions both within the Gateways network and across the national research landscape
  • The building of scale through cooperation, for example, multi-Gateway projects with industry.
  • Increased industry/business collaborations for each Gateway
  • Larger numbers of project leads transferred between Gateways
  • Increased visibility nationally and internationally.
  • Access for SMEs into a wider community of expertise across the research landscape (e.g.Technology Centres, SFI Centresetc.)in Ireland and beyond

1.5 Technology Gateway Network Clusters

Since 2016 the programme has funded, on a pilot basis, two clusters (Applied Internet of Things, A-IoT and Engineering, Manufacturing and Design, EMD) made up of those Gateways that have an expertise directly relevant to cluster theme.

Based on the success of these pilots, the A-IoT and EMD clusters will be funded for the next five years in tandem with the funding of the individual Gateways.

As such, the purpose of this call for proposals is seeking applications from current Gateway host institutions who are interested in hosting either of the Network clusters.

1.5.1Deliverables for A-IoT Cluster

The primary role of the Applied Internet of Things (A-IoT) Cluster is the promotion of the Applied IoT capability of the Technology Gateway Network to companies in the greater Dublin region. As such the role assigned to the A-IoT cluster is that of a Business Development manager.

The A-IoT cluster provides focused access to nearly 300 research professionals in software, hardware, communications/networks, data analytics, control, UI/UX and trialling in five key applied research and technology centres across Ireland via this dedicated portal.

The cluster is currently hosted by the Institute of Technology Tralee via IMaR and works in collaboration with WiSAR (LyIT), TEC (CIT), MSTG (WIT) and COMAND (AIT).

The main responsibilities associate with the post are:

  • Driving industrial engagement, with focus on Enterprise Ireland funding mechanisms
  • Generation of business leads which are actionable by the A-IoT member Gateways
  • Development of Business/Sales plan for the A-IoT cluster
  • Promotion of the A-IoT cluster and raising awareness of the A-IoT cluster with industry in the greater Dublin region
  • Hosting of promotional events and attendance at conferences
  • Engagement with potential clients, as directed by the A-IoT executive committee, for the generation of prospective research projects based on the skillsets offered in the IoT sector
  • Technical evaluation of client requirements
  • Establish and maintain a common Customer Relationship Management system for the A-IoT cluster
  • Regular reporting against a defined set of Key Performance Indicators
  • Creation of branding and promotional material

Given the geographic basis of the post, the A-IoT Business Development Coordinator is currently based at the offices of the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) in Fumbally Square, Dublin 8. It is envisaged that this relationship with THEA will continue for the foreseeable future.

1.5.2 Deliverables for EMD Cluster Marketing Executive

The role associated with the EMD cluster is that of Marketing Executive responsible for the branding and promotion of the cluster as a whole and where necessary the individual members of the cluster. It is envisaged that over time the role of the EMD Marketing Executive will expand to include assisting the other 9 Gateways in their marketing activities as (work load permitting).

Following on from the successful launch of the EMD Ireland brand, the role should continue to include a strong marketing focus, with continued brand building, event creation and management. Where necessary the individual may also engage in relevant business development activities as required, e.g. attendance at relevant events. To date, the EMD cluster consists of the APT, CREST, DESIGN+, MET, PEM and SEAM Gateways.

The EMD Marketing Executive will have 4 distinct roles:

  1. Marketing and Brand awareness of EMD Ireland
  2. Brand Creation and Management of the EMD cluster
  3. Specialised Event Creation (joint and individual)
  4. Partnership Building with external bodies (joint and individual Gateways)

The executive should ideally create an annual plan that will be agreed with the relevant Gateway Managers and the Enterprise Ireland Programme Management Team.

All marketing and branding campaigns will have to adhere to the relevant Enterprise Ireland Corporate Marketing guidelines so the individual will need to develop a strong relationship with the Enterprise Ireland Corporate Marketing Team.

It is envisaged that the EMD Cluster will also be based out the THEA offices in Fumbally Square Dublin 8 and all applicants are required to demonstrate how they will support this relationship.

2.0 Programme Eligibility

2.1Eligible Applicants

  • The Technology Gateways Programme is open to existing Gatewaysand to applied research groups in the Institutes of Technology covered by Institutes of Technology Act 2006, including Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)
  • The Technology Gateway Programme allows for a collaborative applicationwhere the experience and expertise of two or more institutions will bring significant added value through the achievement of an industryimpact by the Gateway that would not otherwise be possible.

2.2 Eligible Activities

All activities supported must have the endorsement of the industry support base. They will include the development of technological solutions to companies’ near-term market needs, e.g. collaborative R&D projects that are directly funded by industry or that are assisted by the Innovation Vouchers and Innovation Partnerships Initiatives. They may involve the provision of specialist training and advice. They may also include activities that build the technology expertise and capability of the Gateway to deliver to industry, and activities thatwill seed future financing for technology themes that are aligned with industry needs, including securing of relevant state or EU funding support.

It is not intended to support standard consultancy services, very low risk technical projects,or where funding for the work should be more appropriately sought from another source.

2.3Eligible Funding

The funding for each Gatewaywill be based on the Gateways’ ability to deliver projects with industry and the resources required to do this effectively and efficiently.

Applicants should identify the funding required to deliver their proposed targets for the 5-year period of the programme. The final approval levels will be at the discretion of the Enterprise Ireland Board; the allocation and release of funding will be agreed between the Institute and the Technology Gateway Programme team and will be based on agreed contractual targets.

Funding for approved Technology Gateways will run for up to five years, commencing on the 1st of January 2018 and finishing no later than the 31st of December 2022. Continuing funding within this five-year period will be contingent upon the applicant institution’s continued achievement of performance metrics as agreed with Enterprise Ireland.

The ‘Guidelines on the Performance Evaluationof Technology Gateways’ will continue to operate and resources may be added or withdrawn in line with the criteria outlined in the Technology Gateway Grant Agreement.

2.3.1 Eligible Costs

Eligible costs will be detailed in the Stage 2 application. Each funded resource identified in the proposed budget must be linked to the Gateway’s industry engagement plan. Personnel for whom funding is being sought must be clearly assigned responsibilities in relation to the management and execution of the Gateway’s industry engagement and applied research themes.

Note: Where a full salary amount is charged to the Gateway programme that person must allocate 100% of their time to Technology Gateway activities. Any allocation less than 100% must be cleared stated in the application or agreed in writing with Enterprise Ireland if changed at a later point.

The evaluation panel will assess the justification for each assigned cost based on its impact on the identified industrial support base and potential impact onthe relevant industrial sector in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland reserves the right to reduce or disallowproposed funded costs, or to schedule some or all costs in stages over the 5-year term of funding.

Only the following costs, subject to Enterprise Ireland approval, are eligible:

Cost category / Maximum funding per category
GatewayManager / €450,000over a maximum of 5 years, (to a max Enterprise Ireland contribution of €90,000 per year inclusive of base salary & 10.75% PRSI)
Business Development Staff
# 1 / €325,000over a maximum of 5 years (to a max Enterprise Irelandcontribution of €65,000 per year inclusive of base salary & 10.75% PRSI)
Business Development Staff
# 2 / €225,000 over a maximum of 5 years (to a maxEnterprise Ireland contribution of €45,000 per year inclusive of base salary & 10.75% PRSI)
Teaching Replacement / €60,000 (over a maximum of 5 years for the cost of providing teaching replacement for the academic researchers.
Domestic Travel / Up to €15,000per Gateway staff over a maximum of 5 years for the cost of travel to Irish based companies (subject to agreement with Enterprise Ireland)
Foreign Travel / To a max of €10,000 (€2,000 per year, for travel within EU for industry focussed events, unless otherwise specified in application and approved by evaluation panel)
Promotional Activities / To a max of €35,000 (€5,000 per year for the promotion of the Gateway’s activities to its industry support base and to wider industry sectors) including, inter alia, awareness events, knowledge transfer seminars, promotional material, consumable materials costs used for promotional samples or small demonstration projects for industry (not cost-recoverable).

Total individual cost categories may vary up to 12%within the overall budget.Actual salaries paid to Gateway staff are the responsibility of the host Institute.

In the case of a collaborative submission from a consortium of IoTs the above costswill be apportioned across the consortium in accordance with the contractual targets agreed with each consortium member.Additional funding sought and agreed for Consortium proposals may be apportioned against the above cost categories except for the Gateway manager category.