A £30,000 bursary is on offer to a PhD student who researches the workings of entrepreneurs.
The North East Entrepreneurs Forum has agreed to grant the cash to support one full-time University of Teesside student for three years, starting soon.
The student will research the enterprise creation processes involved in the networking activities of established entrepreneurs.
The core activity to be studied will be the workings of the entrepreneurs' forum, which was launched in February by Sir Richard Branson at an event attended by many of the region's entrepreneurs.
The forum provides opportunities for established North-East entrepreneurs to meet and exchange views and information. Its objective is to support and encourage emerging firms which could play a key role in the region's economic regeneration.
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