Productivity through Innovation

ERDF Logo

Productivity through Innovation (PtI) can offer your business fully-funded or part-funded support, which will improve your organisation's productivity and market competitiveness. The programme runs until March 2023 and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It's been developed in partnership with the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University.

What support is on offer?

Light bulb surrounded by vibrant purple and pink colours

Support for your research

Accelerate your company’s R&D with our funding and expertise. We currently have support packages available for 12-month research and innovation projects.

Find out more about how we can support your researchFind out more about how we can support your research
A young man sitting in front of a computer

Funded internships

Boost the capacity or skillset within your team with our funded internships. Take forward innovation projects you wouldn't normally have time to do. We can fully-fund undergraduate interns and part-fund graduate interns.

Find out more about our funded internshipsFind out more about our funded internships
Person sitting at a desk using a laptop.

Business Consultancy Services

Do you have a new idea for your organisation that you would like a different perspective on? Perhaps a business problem that you would like support with? Our consultancy service offers free access to our research and technical experts to help bring innovative new solutions to your organisation.

Find out more about our Business Consultancy ServicesFind out more about our Business Consultancy Services

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the Productivity through Innovation programme, you must be an established small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in the D2N2 area (Derby/Derbyshire, Nottingham/Nottinghamshire). SMEs are defined as:

Beyond that, we will determine your suitability to the programme through a diagnostic. 

You will need to apply to the programme and submit a robust business proposal, explaining the innovative approach you will take and forecasting the impact the project will have on growth and productivity. We are happy to support you with this application. 

If you are unsure whether or not you qualify for support, please contact our Business Enquiry Team at businessgateway@derby.ac.uk.

Find out more

For further information, to discuss potential projects, or apply for the programme, please contact Cara Roberts, ERDF Business Advisor, at c.roberts2@derby.ac.uk.

Case studies

Find out how some SMEs have been benefitting from the PtI programme.

Researching the impact of a medical device

The Productivity through Innovation programme is currently helping to fund a research project with SOE Health, a company that develops medical devices for sufferers of COPD.

Citizens Advice recruit Derby interns

Citizens Advice Mid Mercia has recently recruited two new Derby interns to help with its digital marketing, thanks to support and funding from the Productivity through Innovation programme.  

Innovation funding delivers results for SCITEK

Engineering consultancy SCITEK, used funding and support from our Productivity through Innovation programme to recruit a graduate to deliver an R&D project — Read the story.