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Grant for Research & Development (Grant for R&D) is a Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) scheme, which replaced the former DTI's 'Smart' scheme. It aims to help start-ups and SMEs carry out research and development work on technologically innovative products and processes. From April 2005 the English Regional Development Agencies became responsible for delivering Grant for R&D - i.e. SEEDA in South East England.
Grant for R&D is focused on encouraging businesses to carry out projects that they would not necessarily undertake without the grant and lever in to these projects finance from reluctant private investment sources. Grant instalments are paid in arrears.
Am I Eligible to Apply?
- You must be an SME (micro, small or medium-sized enterprise), this includes individuals and sole traders. Please click here for the definition of an SME.
- Your project must fit the eligibility criteria for one of the four grant types outlined in the diagram below.
- 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.
Please read the Appraisal process here to check whether you fulfil the criteria for the scheme.
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.
Details of how to apply can be found here.
There are 4 types of project that can be awarded a Grant for R&D; micro, research, development and exceptional:
| Grant for Research & Development Breakdown |
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| EXCEPTIONAL |
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DEVELOPMENT |
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RESEARCH |
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MICRO |
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| New, exceptionally innovative product or process which is strategically important to the industrial/technology sector |
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Development of a pre-production prototype with significant technological advance of a new product or process |
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Research into or critical investigation of new technology, novel products or processes in an innovative sector |
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Development of a low-cost prototype for an innovative product or process |
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| Significant benefits for society e.g. medical / biotechnology |
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Shape industrial research into a product or process
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Critical analysis, trials and testing, data gathering and reports into a new product or process |
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Small scale exploitation of an innovative product or process for commercialisation |
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35% of costs
£250k - £500k
6-36 months
Eligible: SME |
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35% of costs
£20-£250k
6-36 months
Eligible: SME
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60% of costs
20% paid in advance
£20-£100k
6-18 months
Eligible: Micro & Small |
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45% of costs
£5-£20k
< 12 months
Eligible: Micro |
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| More on EXCEPTIONAL |
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More on DEVELOPMENT |
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More on RESEARCH |
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More on
MICRO |
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