Unlike the other Funds, which invest in activities that are expected to generate a return, the WestFocus Stimulus Fund provides an initial injection of capital to projects that may not result in commercial gain, but will have a significant economic, or socio-economic, impact.  The Fund welcomes applications from students, alumni and staff and awards can be made to both new and existing projects.

All applications should be made in conjunction with the applicant’s local university Enterprise Office and must be submitted using the appropriate WestFocus Stimulus Fund Application form.

The minimum and maximum award is at the discretion of the awarding body, but would not normally be above £25k.  The typical award made by the Fund is £10k. 

Eligibility and criteria

The primary objective of this Fund is to generate sustainable projects that will have a significant economic or socio-economic impact and, in the process, stimulate enterprise awareness and experience among students, staff and alumni. 

The Fund may support any project, including those submitted by a social or not-for-profit enterprise, that meets the Fund’s objective and is able to satisfy the following criteria:

1.  the project will deliver a quantifiable economic or socio-economic impact;
2.  the project will become sustainable;
3.  where appropriate, the project seeks to develop partnerships that will help it meet the other criteria.

Guidelines and commitments

All applications should be made in conjunction with the applicant’s local university Enterprise Office and in most cases it would be expected that the Office would play a lead role in the preparation of the completed application form. 

Successful applicants are expected to deliver the project against pre-agreed milestones and to report any delays to their local Enterprise Office.  All recipients of WestFocus Stimulus Funds must produce an annual progress report and a final report on completion of the project.

Awards

The university Enterprise Office reserves the right to set the terms and conditions of any award.