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Grant for research and developmentGrant for Research and Development
Solutions for Business
Solutions for Business is a suite of highly targeted, publicly funded products and services offering solutions to real business needs and tackling market failure.
Designed to drive qualifying businesses forward, it helps them to grow and succeed by providing help in a number of areas. These include starting up, understanding finance, developing people, environment and efficiency, exploiting ideas, international sales and marketing and growing your business.
Solutions for Business helps you make the most of business opportunities and challenges. By targeting public money at real business needs, it helps businesses create sustainable success.
Grant for Research and Development scheme
The Grant for Research and Development (GRD) helps businesses carry out research and development work that will lead to technologically innovative products or processes. GRD is a Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) business support product managed by the Regional Development Agencies and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Who can apply?
The GRD 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. An SME is a company of less than 250 employees group wide and has either annual turnover of less than €50million or a balance sheet of no more than €43 million. Also note that no more than 25% of the business may be owned (capital or voting rights) by one or more other businesses. Public investment corporations, venture capitalists and universities may own up to 50% provided they are not linked to each other. You can check your SME status by referring to the European Commission Guidance
The grants are made at the discretion of government and therefore not all applicants will be offered a grant. Project proposals are assessed against selection criteria which include:
- Technological innovation
- Level of technical risks
- Commercial prospects
- Need for the grant and business impact
- Experience, skills and track record of the applicant and business.
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 investment in projects contribute towards 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 and drink, sustainable construction and transport technologies.
Information about the RES can be found at www.emda.org.uk/res
GRD is a notified scheme and does not count towards de-minimis calculations.
Types of Research and Development Grants available
There are four types of grant available each one aimed at supporting different types of research and development projects and offering different levels of assistance:
1. Proof of Market Projects
This assists SMEs to test the commercial potential of an idea for an innovative product or process through market assessment and research, competitor analysis, exploration of Intellectual Property protection routes and Intellectual Property protection. Grant information in brief is that the:
- Percentage of costs covered is up to 60%
- Grant awards will be between £5,000 and £20,000
- Project duration is up to 9 months.
2. Micro Projects
This provides assistance to SMEs to develop a low cost prototype. Grant information in brief is that the:
- Business must have fewer than 10 employees group-wide
- Percentage of costs covered is up to 45%
- Grant awards will be between £5,000 and £20,000
- Project duration is up to 12 months.
3. Research Projects
This assists SMEs to examine the technical and commercial feasibility of innovative technology. Grant information in brief is that the:
- Business must have fewer than 50 employees group-wide
- Percentage of costs covered is up to 60%
- Grant awards will be between £20,000 and £100,000
- Project duration is between 6 - 18 months.
4. Development Projects
This assists SMEs to carry out research up to pre-production prototype stage of a new product or process which involves a significant technological advance. Grant information in brief is that the:
- Business must have fewer than 250 employees group-wide
- Percentage of costs covered is up to 40%
- Grant awards will be between £20,000 and £250,000
- Project duration is between 6 - 36 months.
For further information on the application process see ‘how to apply’
Please note that, until further notice, we are unable to accept applications for Exceptional Projects, within the East Midlands.