St Andrews Innovation Fellowship
Accelerate Your Innovation. Create real-world impact.
INTRODUCTION
A one-year fellowship for academics, researchers, post-docs and professional services staff who are ready to move from idea to venture. Fellows receive buy-out support to focus on venture creation with the goal of reaching spin-out readiness.
KEY DETAILS
- Duration: 12 months
- Buy-out support: Up to £75,000 (relief from teaching/service duties as applicable)
- Eligibility point: Stage-Gate 3 (TRL 6–9) on entry, targeting Stage-Gate 4 (TRL 9) by year-end (company incorporated and initial seed raised)
- Support team: Dedicated SI Project Manager, access to coaching, mentors and investor network
- Research continuity: Fellows continue appropriate research and may supervise PGR/ECRs
Support beyond year one may be available with discretion, based on performance and achievement of milestones.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Develop and validate a scalable business model
- Build the founding team and governance
- Secure initial seed funding (target)
- Prepare for market entry (regulatory, partnerships, pilots)
EXPECTATIONS
- Deliver against agreed milestones; review progress with your SI Project Manager
- Maintain clear communication protocols and adapt to learning (including pivots)
- Attend scheduled coaching sessions and action agreed next steps
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants should demonstrate (checklist):
Commercial Potential
- Evidence of problem–solution fit and market need (e.g. industry reports, interviews, letters of intent)
- A preliminary Business Model Canvas or Lean Canvas
Technology Readiness and IP
Commitment & Fit
- A one-page personal commitment statement covering motivation, willingness to pivot, and intended impact
- Engagement with St Andrews Innovation: preparatory pathway and 1:1 venture coaching completed
- A venture team plan (roles, gaps, how gaps will be filled)
- High level technology development roadmap with milestones
Strategic alignment
- A short statement linking the venture to at least one University strategic pillar (world-leading, diverse, digital, sustainable, entrepreneurial)
Not quite there yet? Engage with the St Andrews Innovation team to develop your project to eligibility.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you have teaching responsibilities:
Stage 1 — Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Deadline: 1 December (for the next academic year)
- Submit via the online form through your Head of School/Professional Services Unit Head
- You’ll be invited to a 1:1 meeting with the SI team (by early December)
Stage 2 — Programme requirement & full application
- Selected applicants receive a invitation to submit a full application in mid-December
- 31 January: Full application deadline
Stage 3 — Decision & timeline
- Mid-February: Panel makes final decisions
- Late February: Successful applicants notified
- Fellowship term: 1 August – 31 July
Not sure what Technology Readiness Level (TRL) your project is at? Assess your stage or book a consultation with a member of the SI team for tailored guidance.
If you do not have teaching responsibilities:
Stage 1 — Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Submit via the online form at any time
- 1:1 meeting with the SI team (required)
- Full application invitation follows review
Stage 2 — Programme requirement & full application
- Selected applicants receive a invitation to submit a full application
Stage 3 — Decision & timeline
- Panel decision within one month of full application
- Fellowship runs for 12 months from your start date
Not sure what Technology Readiness Level (TRL) your project is at? Assess your stage or book a consultation with a member of the SI team for tailored guidance.
SUPPORT PROVIDED
(financial & operational)
- Up to £75,000 buy-out: for Schools, ~£50,000 equivalent costs are returned to enable teaching/service replacement; for Professional Services Units, appropriate replacement costs should be agreed with the Chief Operating Officer before a Stage-2 application
- Up to £25,000 per annum for fellowship activity (with justification at Stage-2 invite)
- SI provides additional support beyond the explicit fellowship package where appropriate
Enquiries: [email protected]
HELPFUL DEFINITIONS
- TRL (Technology Readiness Level): Scale for technical maturity (1–9). TRL 6 = validated prototype; TRL 9 = system proven in operational environment.
- TTO (Technology Transfer Office): University team managing IP protection and commercialisation.
- FTO (Freedom to Operate): Assessment of risk that your product infringes others’ IP.
- License / Licensing: Legal permission to use University IP under agreed terms.
Timeline
| Milestone | Details |
| Stage One: Expression of Interest (EoI) Submission | Submission of Expression of Interest (EoI) through the online platform. |
| Individual Meeting with SI Team Members | EoIs will be reviewed, and you will be invited for 1:1 meeting. You must complete a 1:1 meeting in order to submit a full application. |
| Stage Two: Full Application Invitation | Following 1:1 meetings and EoI review, successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application. |
| Full Application Submitted | Panel reviews full applications and selects Fellows. |
| Decision issued | Fellows selected and notified. |
| Stage Three: Fellowship Start | Full-time entrepreneurial activity commences |
| Fellowship End | Conclusion of the Fellowship period – 12 months from start. |
Speak to me to see how we can help
Hello, I’m Keith Millican and I head up the Enterprise team. We nurture entrepreneurship and support individuals and teams in turning their early-stage ideas into sustainable companies. We focus on guiding and advising throughout the start-up and spin-out process, while also offering consultancy services to external organisations, to help build a supportive community that fosters innovation and enables new ventures to thrive.
Keith Millican
Director of Enterprise