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Appraisal Process

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Regional & Wider Benefits

Wider aspects such as sustainable development and design impact or implications will be considered in addition to the economic return on each project.

Level of Technological Innovation

Micro Projects
Projects possess a degree of technological novelty or innovation. Offer a potential value for money return on the public investment.
Research Projects
Proposals must demonstrate genuine technological novelty.
Development Projects
Proposals must demonstrate that the project will represent:
  • a significant technological advance for the UK industry or sector concerned
  • innovative and represent the first time development of a technology in the UK, or
  • the novel application of technologies that have already been applied in other sectors in the UK
Exceptional Development Projects
A significant technological advance for the industry or technology sector and is of strategic importance to UK industry and the national economy.

Exploitation Prospects

Project applications must clearly demonstrate that the applicant has considered the most realistic exploitation routes for realising the identified commercial potential of the product or process.

Additionality

Applicants must demonstrate a need for the Grant for Research and Development. If an alternative scheme can effectively meet the needs of applicants, this should be used in preference to Grant for Research and Development.

Commercial & Financial Viability

We will examine the financial viability of both the project and the applicant to be eligible for support.

External Costs

External costs, for example, consultancy, sub-contract costs and fees for trials and testing, should not normally exceed 25% of total project costs. Directors' fees charged as consultants to their own company are not eligible for grant support.

Commercial & Market Need

Project applications must clearly elaborate the market prospects for the proposed product or process.

Intellectual Property & Patents

The applicant must own all Intellectual Property arising from projects supported under the scheme. It is the responsibility of applicants to make adequate arrangements to protect their rights in any relevant Intellectual Property. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant/grant recipient to pursue resolutions over any disputes over ownership or infringement of IPR.

Management & Project Team Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate that they have, or will engage, the necessary management and technical expertise and resources to ensure that the project is brought to a successful completion.

Technical Risks & R&D Challenge

Project proposals must demonstrate that the proposed work represents a significant technological advance with significant technical risks associated with the technology challenge.

For ALL eligible areas outside of Tier 2, the existing workforce must be at least NVQ2 on average.

Grant for R&D is only available to SMEs. SEEDA can only award grant in the South East Region, which excludes London. If you are not located in the South East, please contact the Regional Development Agency (RDA) in your region.

What will SEEDA focus on?

Our focus will be on supporting those projects which successfully demonstrate a high level of 'innovation', sustainable technology, need for public investment, and offer quality and value for public investment in addition to the following:

  • We will need to be satisfied that both the applicant and the project are financially viable, so will carry out a full financial assessment of both. This will also ascertain whether our 'Additionality' criteria is met (i.e. the need for grant) and analyse the project expenditure. We will also investigate any strategic or operational requirement for public sector support.
  • Our assessment will focus on whether the project is technically viable and we will consult with our Technical Panel (consisting of leading UK technical specialists, details below) to ascertain the feasibility of your proposal, if we are considering supporting your application.
  • To confirm the level of innovation, in conjunction with our Technical Panel advice, we may also obtain a full report from the Patent Office to confirm the level of innovation and potential exploitation of Intellectual Property. Where a report has been completed, we will provide this to the applicant, irrespective of whether the applicant is successful.
  • We will assess the technical risks and challenges associated with the project and market factors and influence associated with it and whether there are clear exploitation routes to the commercial market at the end of the project.
  • We will assess whether the management capabilities and experience are sufficient to successfully complete the project and fully exploit the product to commercialisation.

Technical Panel:

In the course of appraising Grant for Research and Development Applications as well as drawing on the expertise within Government Departments, technical advice is sometimes sought from a range of outside organisations. SEEDA has established contracts or agreements with certain organisations which ensure that all material sent to us relating to Grant for Research and Development Applications is handled in confidence. If, however, for any reason you would prefer us not to seek advice on your project from any of the organisations listed below, please advise us (with a short note explaining why) as soon as possible.

  • Building Research Establishment
  • C-Tech Innovation Ltd
  • Ceram Ltd
  • EA Technology
  • Finance South East
  • Health and Safety Laboratory
  • The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
  • LGC Limited
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • Materials Engineering Research Laboratory (MERL)
  • Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
  • Momenta
  • NAMTEC (National Metals Technology Centre)
  • National Physical Laboratory
  • National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML)
  • NCC Group Ltd
  • NEL TUV Ltd
  • Patent Office
  • Pira International
  • PERA International
  • Transport Research Laboratory Ltd
  • Other Government Departments
Click on a region below for further details:
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South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)  Cross Lanes Guildford GU1 1YA England
  • Email: click here
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  • Tel:+44 (0)1483 484200
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  • Fax:+44 (0)1483 484247