Support

Secondment Scheme

We support placements between universities, industry, healthcare organisations and regulatory bodies. Secondments can facilitate knowledge transfer, build collaborative relationships, and accelerate research translation through embedded expertise.

Programme Overview

Facilitating Knowledge Transfer Through Personnel Exchange

Supporting knowledge exchange and accelerating the impact of academic research, this scheme is open to commercial, healthcare, local authority and regulatory bodies who wish to host or be hosted by a university within the Yorkshire region.

We can offer funding support towards two types of secondment:

  • ‘outgoing’ secondments from regional universities into other organisations
  • ‘incoming’ secondments into regional universities from other organisations

Secondments between universities is also in scope. Outward secondments of university staff can be to organisations outside of the region, so long as there is evidence of benefit for the Yorkshire region.

Final submissions are due by December 2026; those planning longer, part-time secondments should apply by July 2026.

Eligibility and Requirements

Secondments are open to a wide range of organisations and individuals – as long as they support activities relating to medical technologies.

Review our guidance notes to confirm your eligibility before applying.

Eligible Costs

Eligible salary costs for secondees from participating universities (‘outgoing secondments’)
  • Funding can be used to support salary costs of the secondee, provided the secondee is not a permanent member of academic staff.
  • The scheme can also be used to support teaching or administrative buy-out (i.e. through the provision of replacement cover for these duties) to allow academic staff to spend time at the partner organisation.
  • Travel expenses between organisations
  • Accommodation costs if relocation required
  • Consumables directly supporting secondment objectives
  • Training costs specific to placement activities
Eligible costs for secondees into participating universities (‘incoming secondments’)

For incoming secondments, involving an industrial/clinical placement within a university, Yorkshire MedTech would not normally support salary costs. 

We can provide support for additional costs incurred by the host or secondee to facilitate the secondment (e.g. travel costs).

Other eligible costs across both types of secondment

Funding can be used for additional costs incurred by the secondee such as travel and consumables where the case can be made that they are necessary for the delivery of the secondment and cannot be provided by the host. 

Costs associated with attendance at workshops / conferences will be considered – but must be detailed in the justification of resources section of the application and be directly related to the aims of the secondment.

Eligible Participants

Host Organisations
  • Commercial and industrial organisations in the medical technology sector
  • Healthcare organisations, local and regional authorities, regulatory bodies
  • Universities and research institutions within the Yorkshire region
Secondees
  • Academic researchers, including PhD and post-doctoral researchers subject to our guidelines
  • Research and innovation support staff within universities
  • Industry and innovation professionals
  • Clinicians of all disciplines

Placement Requirements

  • Clear objectives and deliverables for the placement – this could include acquisition of specific knowledge and skills, access to unique facilities, technology progression, etc
  • Collaboration agreement between participating partner organisations
  • Impact on existing grant delivery must be managed and mitigated before secondment commences
  • Standard duration: up to 3 months full-time, with longer placements considered where the additional time is supported and funded by an external partner

Frequently Asked Questions

Yorkshire MedTech secondments operate as a rolling call, accepting applications throughout the year. Start by reviewing the full Secondment Guidance Document to confirm your proposed placement is in scope. Then complete the short Intention to Submit form (10 – 15 minutes).

Our team will review your submission and may arrange a discussion about the proposed secondment before inviting you to complete the full application form. This two-stage process allows us to provide early guidance and verify feasibility.

The secondment call remains open until December 2026. Final submissions are due by December 2026; those planning longer, part-time secondments should apply by July 2026. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, typically within 4-6 weeks of full submission.

Part-time arrangements are acceptable if they meet placement objectives. Specify the working pattern in your application and explain how objectives will be achieved within this timeframe. Part-time placements can extend beyond 3 months provided total funded time doesn’t exceed the equivalent of 3 months full-time. This flexibility helps accommodate existing commitments whilst facilitating valuable knowledge exchange.

Internal secondments (moving between departments in the same organisation) aren’t supported. The placement must involve genuine knowledge exchange between distinct organisations. If the secondee has previous connections to the receiving organisation, explain how this secondment provides new learning opportunities or transfers different expertise than previous engagements.

Application Materials

Secondment Guidance Document 2025

Comprehensive guidance covering eligibility, objectives, application requirements, and example scenarios.  Essential reading before starting your application.

Intention to Submit Form

Required first step for all secondment applications. Brief form allowing us to verify eligibility and provide early guidance. Takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and is your gateway to the full application.

Discuss a Potential Secondment

Contact our team to explore how a secondment could support your knowledge exchange objectives.