December 2007

 

SWRDA R&D Grant

The South West RDA will be relaunching their Grant for Research and Development in the New Year, so now seemed like a good time to review the scheme.

The grant provides funding to help individuals and SME’s to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes. The South West RDA is currently looking to fund four levels of projects (all funding levels will be correct as of January 2008):

  • Micro Projects are small scale development projects lasting no longer than 12 months. The output should be a simple prototype of a novel or innovative product or process. Funding is available only to micro businesses, usually defined as businesses with 5 employees or less. Eligible businesses can receive between £5,000 and £20,000, which can cover up to 45% of project costs.
  • Research Projects typically involve planned research or critical investigation into the feasibility of new products or processes, lasting between 6 and 18 months. The result of the project could be new scientific or technical knowledge that may be commercially exploited. As of January, micro and small businesses can receive between £20,000 and £100,000 for covering 60% of eligible costs.
  • Development Projects are open to all micro, small and medium businesses, and involve the shaping of industrial research into a plan or design, such as a pre-production prototype, of a technologically innovative product or industrial process. Funding will be available of between £20,000 and £250,000, and can cover up to 35% of costs.
  • Exceptional Projects involve technology developments that have higher costs, but can demonstrate that they will have a major effect on the performance of UK industry. These projects are likely to generate much wider economic benefits and must have strategic importance for a technology or industrial sector. These projects are available to all SME’s, and can provide funding of £250,000 to £500,000. The level of match funding required is negotiable, but the grant will usually cover up to 35% of costs.

Assisted area uplifts, which previously provided additional funding for areas such as Devon and Cornwall, have been remove in order to comply with the European Commission State Aid Framework. This means that the same level of funding is available across the South West.

For more information, see the SWRDA’s Innovation website at http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/what-we-do/innovation, or phone 0117 933 0293.

Convergence

The Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will soon get underway early in 2008. Like its predecessor, Objective One, the £445m economic programme is designed to speed up the economic development of the county.

Click here for the full article.

SWRDA Research and Development Grant

The South West RDA will be relaunching their Grant for Research and Development in the New Year. The grant provides funding to help individuals and SME’s to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes.
Click here for the full article.

Sustainable Farming and Food Grant

Devon Renaissance, the organisation behind the Sustainable Farming and Food Grant, have made it even easier to apply for funding. Projects can be up to 50% funded, with grants ranging from a minimum of £5,000 to a usual threshold of £100,000.

Click here for the full article.
 
We hope you have found Grant Update informative and useful. We are pleased to offer a free initial discussion to explore the potential for grant funding for any business expansion project that might be under consideration. The Grants Advisory Service is one of many facilities that Bishop Fleming can offer. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact either Ewan McClymont or Oliver Jeffery on (01872) 275651, or see our web site. at www.bishopfleming.co.uk.

If you do not wish to keep receiving this free grant update service, please either call Oliver Jeffery on (01872) 275651, or send an e-mail to grantupdate@bishopfleming.co.uk.

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