Collaborative and sponsored research & innovation

UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering welcomes industry and external organisations worldwide to collaborate with us on research, innovation projects and the delivery of real-world impact.

A leading institution for research and knowledge exchange


UCL EEE, as part of UCL's Faculty of Engineering Sciences and UCL at large, has been recognised as a leader in research and knowledge exchange. Many of our academics are considered leaders in their respective fields with multiple accolades and awards found within our faculty.

UCL's Engineering research 4th overall in the UK for the percentage of REF submissions rated 4* ("world leading")

97% of UCL's Engineering research rated “world leading” (4*) or “internationally excellent” (3*)

Highest possible band for 'Research Partnerships', 'Public and Community Engagement' and 'Intellectual Property and Commercialisation', as assessd by KEF 22

Jump to:

Industry-sponsored studentships | Sponsored Research | Sponsored Innovation | Collaborative proposals | Consultancy    

Industry-sponsored studentships

PhD students undertake a 3 or 4-year programme of study dedicated to research on a specific topic. Many students undertake their projects in collaboration with an industry partner where the research outputs can have a significant impact on the partner's business and/or product development.

Industry-sponsored projects can either be fully funded or part-funded (e.g. via EPSRC CASE awards).

Centres of Doctoral Training

Electronic and Electrical Engineering is affiliated with 5 EPSRC-funded Centres of Doctoral Training (CDT). Students funded within these centres benefit from being part of a cohort of students undertaking research in the same domain, along with wrap-around training provided with domain context. The CDTs welcome industry-sponsored studentships to support students within their cohort. Such sponsored students would usually undertake an industry project designed collaboratively with the industry sponsor.

EEE Affiliated Centres of Doctoral Training

  • EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in the Advanced Characterisation of Materials
  • EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing
  • EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems
  • EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Delivering Quantum Technologies

    Sponsored Research

    Sponsoring research allows industrial partners to work with the world-leading expertise and facilities found in UCL EEE. Research projects can range in resource requirement and length, and work best where there is clear synergy that helps meet the Industry Partner's objective and advance the academic mission of the research team.

    When you collaborate and sponsor research within the Department you are leveraging the culmination of knowledge that goes back to the Department's inception in 1885, and more recently competencies and facilities that have been built up over many years and are backed by multi-millions of pounds of investment. The cost of sponsored research is based on the full cost of delivering the research, and where access to resulting IP is required a specialist team at UCL is available to enable agreement of IPR terms.
    For more information on how UCL defines sponsored research please visit this page.

    No research project is the same and therefore it is always best to start with a conversation, do not hesitate to contact us.

    Sponsored Innovation

    Sponsored research must align with the Frascati Definition of Research and adhere to HESA obligations to be supported by UCL's procedures and processes. As of November 2022, UCL has developed new processes to support Sponsored Innovation.

    Sponsored Innovation projects must support academic publication within a reasonable timeframe and allow the use of results for academic purposes, Sponsored Innovation projects must also demonstrate public benefit which is more than incidental.

    As with Sponsored Research, Sponsored Innovation projects will be most successful when they align with partner objectives and the academic progression of research teams.

    Collaborative Research & Innovation proposals

    UCL welcomes opportunities to partner on Industry-led Research & Innovation proposals, as well as industrial partners who wish to support UCL led research proposals.

    The UK funding landscape offers several opportunities for industry to lead research & innovation proposals, the most regular calls for such funding come from Innovate UK.

    UCL also offers several funding schemes which can support projects between UCL and external organisations. Such projects may explore the application of research in industry, outward and incoming secondments and other knowledge exchange activities.

    Consultancy

    Where your project does not fit within the above schemes we may be able to support the activity via consultancy. UCL Consultants (UCLC) is one of the UK’s leading providers of academic consultancy services. UCLC works with you and our academic experts to solve problems, create new opportunities and develop capabilities to better understand complex issues. UCLC provides the professional services and legal frameworks that allow our academics and researchers to engage in consultancy with you.

    Find out more about UCL Consultants (UCLC) on their website.

    Contact

    Thank you for your interest in collaborating with EEE. If you would like to discuss any of the approaches detailed in this page, please contact:

    Dr Robert Thompson

    Strategic Alliance Director
    Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
    E: robert.j.thompson@ucl.ac.uk
    T: +44 (0)20 3108 6258