Private Sector Accelerator Awards
Find information on how to apply for the Research Data Scotland (RDS) Private Sector Accelerator Awards.
Private Sector Accelerator Awards
The Private Sector Accelerator Awards are funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Research Data Scotland (RDS). This is a new funding award available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with a base in Scotland who are interested in using public sector data.
This is data created by people when they use public services like schools or the NHS, and collected by central or local government who use this information to run services.
How much money is available?
Companies will benefit from a waiver of data preparation and analysis costs of up to £60,000 per project. The money is paid directly to our partners who will curate, manage and link the datasets that the successful SME needs to complete their project. There will be a maximum of three projects funded.
What makes a successful application?
There are several terms and conditions for an application to be successful. Please read the full list of terms and conditions. Acceptance of all terms and conditions will need to be confirmed at the Expression of Interest stage. They include:
Applications are open to SMEs only (companies with fewer than 250 employees).
The project must have a realistic likelihood of delivering public good to the people of Scotland as well as economic benefits. Economic benefits must be realised primarily in Scotland.
The funding award will be given directly to our partner organisations to progress the project work agreed.
An accredited researcher must conduct the work and follow the processes and procedures that comply with our partner organisations' requirements.
What data is available?
The datasets available through the Private Sector Accelerator Awards include nine of the most commonly requested datasets from Public Health Scotland. These datasets are accessible via the Research Data Access Pathway, and include:
Dataset name | Metadata Catalogue record |
|---|---|
Outpatient Appointments and Attendances - Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR00) | |
General Acute Inpatient and Day Case - Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR01) | |
Maternity Inpatient and Day Case - Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR02) | |
Mental Health Inpatient and Day Case - Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR04) | |
Scottish Cancer Registry (SMR06) | |
Prescribing Information System (PIS) | |
Scotland Accident and Emergency | |
National Records of Scotland (NRS) - Birth Registrations | |
National Records of Scotland (NRS) - Death Registrations |
This wide range of data has the potential to reveal powerful insights when linked together and provide a rich source for research enquiries. These datasets allow researchers to conduct population-level studies on health-related topics. Some examples include:
Patterns of prescribing and utilisation of drugs across Scotland and impact on the health of patients to help to design more personalised clinical trials or develop personalised self-management tools
Predicting risk of disease or outcomes based on different factors – this could include AI modelling, for example
Exploring impact of socio-economic factors and policy changes, for example, minimum unit price for alcohol
Creation of synthetic datasets that could be used by further developers to develop prototype models
Cancer prognosis and survival prediction
For further inspiration of how data can be used for public benefit, look at our case studies hub.
What is the application process?
The first round of applications will involve an Expression of Interest submitted by the SME, which will be reviewed by panel of experts. The panel will be selected by RDS and drawn from academia, government agencies, not-for-profit sector and the funder, Scottish Government. Public members will also be involved in the process.
The Expression of Interest will include questions around:
The organisations involved in the proposed project
Details of the project itself including:
Potential public good outcomes (as generating benefit in Scotland is a key criteria)
Realistic economic benefit in Scotland
Potential use of any AI to safeguard privacy
Once the panel has reviewed and ranked submissions, the highest scoring applications will be invited to submit a full application via the Research Data Access Pathway.
Key dates
The Expression of Interest form will be available from mid-August and will remain open for submissions until the end of September.
From early September, applications received via the Expression of Interest form will be ranked and the most suitable applications will be invited to complete a full application.
Sign up to our mailing list to keep updated on application dates.
RDS is administering the new fund on behalf of Scottish Government as mentioned in the Scottish Government Life Sciences Strategy 2035.
If you have queries about the fund or submission process, please contact us.
Terms and conditions
Please view the full terms and conditions for applying to the Private Sector Accelerator Awards.