The maximum size of team we are able to support is between 1 and 5 per project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, each fellowship is allocated a maximum of 4 days of mentoring support. As each project is unique the mentoring you will receive will be different to what others receive. We will discuss with you the kind of support you require and we will appoint the relevant mentor(s). Most projects have a mix of mentoring support e.g. business, legal, software etc.
Wherever possible, we will try to ensure that the equipment and facilities you need are available on campus. You are able to use your own equipment and software but you must discuss this with the Technical Officer before bringing anything on to campus, to enable appropriate technical checks and licensing issues to be addressed.
Work created during the Fellowship would be owned entirely by you and/or your team; this would then form part of the IP owned by your newly created company. We ask that DigitalCity and our funders are given a credit on your work and that we are able to use examples of your work for our own marketing purposes.
You will be asked to sign a contract which details your obligations as a Fellow. You will be expected to devote all of your time to your project, attend relevant workshops and mentoring meetings as agreed. If you are awarded a Fellowship you must register as a trading entity on start-up. Failure to deliver any of the things outlined in your contract could result in your Fellowship being cancelled and you having to repay part or the entire bursary.
You are welcome to reapply at any time. Although there is no limit to the number of times you can resubmit your application, we ask you to reconsider your position if you have not achieved a fellowship award at the third attempt.
No. Fellowships are available only to those who have not been awarded a Fellowship previously. For the sake of fairness and consistency we only offer one Fellowship per person.
Unfortunately, if you are already trading then we would not be able to offer you a Fellowship as the scheme is primarily about creating new jobs. Also, if you have a company which is registered as dormant and you do not intend to be trading at the end of the fellowship, then we could not fund you.
The Fellowship scheme has been set up to help entrepreneurs produce work that leads to the creation of new businesses and jobs. If you already run a company, you are still able to apply for a fellowship providing this leads to the creation of jobs; however, you might not receive funding as a fellow yourself. There are other support mechanisms for existing companies – namely through DigitalCity Business, the Teesside University, Business Enterprise North East and Chamber of Commerce etc.
There are many different types of companies: freelance, sole trader, partnership CIC or limited company. Those who are awarded a Fellowship are expected to register as a trading entity with Inland Revenue or Companies House.
The Fellowship scheme has been developed to help regenerate the North East by supporting the creation of jobs and businesses in the region. All Fellows must either register themselves as freelance/sole traders with HMRC or must be employed by a digital media company as a direct result of the fellowship. Confirmation of this would be required before payments are made.
The Fellowship scheme does not fund one-off arts projects. There are other organisations such as the Arts Council who do this and you would be advised to contact them.
You are able to apply for a fellowship. We appreciate that you have bills to pay and do allow some part-time working however, the hours in any one week must not exceed 16.
Purchase of any equipment is not eligible for funding using ERDF. The fellowship award is made to enable you to cover your living costs during the fellowship period, ideally so that you do not have to undertake any part-time work. If you require funding for equipment, there are other organisations you should contact, for example Business Enterprise North East or Middlesbrough Council, who may be able to offer support for start-up companies.
Obviously pre-booked holidays should not be cancelled. However, we would ask you not to book any holidays (longer than one or two days) during your agreed fellowship period. Please inform us before signing the contract if you have holidays already booked. Holiday costs cannot be charged to your fellowship.
No, unfortunately, we are only able to offer fellowships to those people who reside in the north east region, during and for twelve months after completion of the fellowship. Our funders consider the North East to be Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley. People residing elsewhere (including North Yorkshire) are ineligible.
Each eligible Fellow will receive a business support grant of up to £4000 payable in stages, £2500 on commencement, £1000 mid way and £500 on completion. You will be required to supply evidence of your living expenses and this could be in the form of rent book, household bills, till receipts etc., as well as copies of your bank statements. If there is a shortfall in the bursary awarded and the receipts provided, unfortunately this amount will be deducted from the final payment.
No, the scheme is not available to students even if you are on a gap year; you must have graduated already.
No, you are not eligible for a fellowship if you are working full-time. It is possible for you to be part of a team whilst working full-time, but you would not receive payment.