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Grant Level Increase - Research & Development Grants

**Latest News**

SEEDA is pleased to announce that the value of grants available to applicants under the national Grant for R&D scheme will be increased from 1st January 2008.

In summary:

• research grant up from max £75k to max £100k. Grant percentage remains 60% of eligible costs
• development grant up from max £200k to max £250k. Grant percentage remains 35% of eligible costs
• micro grants remain at max £20k but grant percentage falls from 50% to 45% of eligible costs
• uplift of 5% in Tier 2 (assisted areas) no longer available

 

Grant Information

Grant for Research & Development (R&D) replaced the former DTI's Smart scheme.  It aims to help individuals starting up businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) carry out research and development work on technologically innovative products and processes.  Since April 2005 Grant for R&D in the South East has been administered by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Grant for R&D assists 4 types of project;

• micro – small scale projects involving pre-production technology or a low-cost prototype
• research – planned research/critical investigation aimed at producing new scientific/technical knowledge
• development – pre-production prototype of a new product/ process that involves a significant technological advance
• exceptional – development of leading edge technology which has a major effect on the overall performance of UK industry 

The main criteria for eligibility include:

• the project should offer a high level of ‘technological innovation’
• applicants must be either a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise, relevant to the project type
• there must be a strong financial ‘need’ for public sector grant support and other funding must have been sought
• the project must be viable, with focus on exploitation routes to commercialisation

More information can be found by clicking on the external link on the right hand side.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

• you must be an SME (micro, small or medium-sized enterprise), this includes individuals and sole traders. (Visit the SEEDA website for a definition of SME.)
• your project must fit the eligibility criteria for one of the four grant types outlined above
• your project must carry out research or development work on a technologically innovative product or process at the pre-production stage.  This does not include natural product improvement, enhancement, extension or development of existing known products

If my project is eligible how will it be assessed?

There is no automatic entitlement to the grant.  The grant is discretionary and projects will be assessed on an individual basis, against the appraisal criteria.

When / How can I apply?

SEEDA accepts Grant for R&D applications all year round, there are no deadlines, (or restrictions on types e.g. Exceptional grants) and there is no good or bad time to apply.

 

To find out more and to find details of how to apply can be found on the SEEDA website (see external links).