Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hartree Centre North East Hub?

The Hartree Centre North East Hub forms part of the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation (HNCDI) programme and is run in collaboration with Newcastle University, the National Innovation Centre for Data and Sunderland Software City.

What type of support is available?

We offer workshops and events, 1:1 support and 12-week Collaborative Data Projects.

Who can we support?

We are supporting small to medium enterprises (SMEs) based in the UK. Organisations will be required to register with the programme.

Is support fully funded?

Yes, support is fully funded for SMEs. However, we do require you to register for the programme and provide feedback or a case study based on your experience.

When does the programme end?

The programme will be ending in 2026.

Can I get in touch with the team?

You can drop us an email at [email protected]

Collaborative Data Projects

What kind of support can we expect to receive?

Support time per week can vary from project to project. This may be around 2-3 days per week direct support including face to face and background working. Depending on project requirements, we'll be drawing on the data science skills from the wider team here at NICD. One individual will be assigned as a project lead, to be your main contact and manage the project from our side.

What’s the cost to us?

The project is fully funded in terms of staff time from Hartree Centre North East Hub. There is also support for compute resources needed for the project. The support is subject to subsidy control so you may not be eligible if you have already received support.

How much time is needed from our side?

The more time you’re able to spend on the project the better. We'll require your input on the scoping of the project, providing the required data and attendance at the regular catchups.

Who can apply?

Our projects are primarily aimed at SMEs, but any UK organisation can apply (including public and charity sector). The support is subject to subsidy control so you may not be eligible if you have already received support. You may not be eligible if your organisation is >50% owned by another organisation. You will need to either have or be able to access data that can be used during the project.

When can I apply?

Calls open approximately every 12 weeks for around 3 weeks. You can sign up to our mailing list here for updates on when the next call will launch.

How will I be selected?

The top 3 applications will be chosen from each call. Scoring will be based on the business problem you are trying to solve, the impact this will have on your business, the risks involved (we are looking for higher risk projects), and the data readiness of your organisation. If you don’t have access to data for use during the project, then we will not be able to work on your project.

Assists

What do the workshops cover?

Our workshops provide a foundational understanding of key data science concepts, equipping SMEs with the essential knowledge to kickstart their digital transformation journey. The workshops are designed to be interactive and engaging, catering to participants of varying technical backgrounds. The workshops cover topics such as to machine learning, data visualisation and sentiment analysis.

Who can attend?

Workshops and events are open to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.

What’s the cost to us?

The project is fully funded by the Hartree Centre North East Hub, so there is no cost to you.

When are the next workshops?

We host numerous workshops throughout the year. You can sign up to our mailing list here for updates on when the next call will launch.