Grant for Research and Development (GRD)

New : Changes to the Grant for Research and Development scheme Announcement 30th Nov 2007[word document]

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What is the Grant for Research and Development?

The GRD helps businesses carry out research and development work that will lead to technologically innovative products or processes.  The GRDt replaces the former DTI Smart Scheme and is a business support solution managed by the Regional Development Agencies.

Who is it for?

  1. Are you a newly formed or existing small to medium enterprise looking to undertake some R&D?
  2. Have you got a research project with commercial potential?
  3. Have you got a technically innovative idea which you would like to develop?
  4. Do you already have access to funds for some of the project costs?

 If so, you may qualify for a GRD.

The GRD scheme is aimed at individuals planning to start up businesses in any part of the East Midlands and at small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) already operating within the region. The idea is to help businesses carry out projects they normally wouldn’t undertake, and to encourage further private investment into them.

Definition of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Enterprise category

No of employees

Financial

Ownership

Medium sized

Less than 250

Annual turnover  of up to €50 million or a balance sheet total  of no more than €43 million

No more than 25% owned (capital or voting rights) by one or more businesses. Public investment corporations, venture capitalists and Universities may own up to 50% provided they are not linked to each other.

Small

Less than 50

Annual turnover of up to €10 million or a balance sheet total of no more than €10 million

Micro

Less than 10

Up to €2 million

How does it work?

The award of a grant is discretionary and there is no guarantee that a grant will be offered, even if a business and project is eligible. Project proposals are assessed on an individual basis against defined selection criteria which include the level of technological innovation, technical risk, commercial prospects and the need for the grant - full details of the scheme criteria can be found in secion 5 of the guidlines for officials in the guidance notes for applicants. ( Found in the document section below )

In addition, projects must be able to complement the Regional Economic Strategy (RES). The RES maps out the plans for achieving sustainable economic growth in the region and it is important that we invest in projects that contribute to this. Whilst we give consideration to applications covering a wide range of technologies please be aware that we particularly welcome those from applicants whose activities are closely aligned to the priority sectors identified in the RES. These are healthcare, food & drink, sustainable construction and transport technologies

Information about the RES can be found at www.emda.org.uk/res. 

The level of funding awarded is based on the type of project undertaken and the financial need of the business as detailed in the next section on Project Characteristics.

Project characteristics and grant types

Project type

Development

Research

Micro

Purpose

Develop pre-production prototype with significant technological advance. New product or process

Investigate technical  and commercial feasibility / develop benchtop/ experimental working model (not pre production prototype)  

Develop low-cost prototype of an innovative product or process

Outcomes

Shape industrial research into a pre-production prototype of commercial product or process

Highly innovative technology converted into new product or process

Prototype is made ready for commercialization (licensing/ selling/ manufacturing)

Intervention levels and grant awards

35% of project costs

Grant award £20 - £250K over 6 - 36 months

60% of project costs - 20% paid in advance.

Grant sum £20 - £100K over 6 - 18 months

45% of project costs.

Grant sum £5k - £20K up to 12 months

Eligible SMEs

Available to all SMEs

Available only to small and micro enterprises

Available to micro enterprises only

GRANTS AWARDED TO DATE

How to apply

The GRD can be applied for at any time.  Application information and forms are available to download here.

Stage 1: To start the application process off, you will need to complete an outline project proposal and forward this to the Business Investment Team at emda.   A member of the team will contact you to discuss the detail of your project and how it fits with the scheme criteria.  

*Please do not complete a full application pack before submitting an outline project proposal.

Stage 2: If your proposal is accepted the next stage is to complete a full application pack.

Stage 3:  We will give written confirmation of our decision within 30 working days from when a full application with all the required information is received by the Business Investment Team.

Grant for Research and Development in the East Midlands Objective 2 Areas

The scheme is available throughout the region – all East Midlands postcodes are eligible.  As the GRD benefits from additional European Regional Development Fund support, we would especially welcome applications from designated Core Objective 2 areas. Click here to download a map highlighting these areas.

Documents

Outline Project Proposal

Full Application Pack

Claim Form

Independent Accountants Reports - Standardised Terms of Engagement

DIUS Website

The Grant for Research and Development team

Paul Moss
0115 988 8596

Ebela Howell
0115 988 8538

Sarah Trim 
0115 947 1786

Dan Moore
0115 947 1774

email the Grant for Research and Development team at grd@emd.org.uk

or post at:

East Midlands Development Agency
Apex Court,
City Link,
Nottingham
NG2 4LA