Grant for Research and Development
Grant for Research and Development (GRD) also known as GRD, GRAD or GRAND (and Smart in Scotland) are government grants to help small and medium sized businesses carry out research or development into innovative technologies that will lead to commercial products or processes. In England the grant is administered by the Technology Strategy Board, and Scottish Enterprise administer the similar Smart scheme in Scotland. The Technology Strategy Board offer 6 decision cut off dates a year on the rolling open scheme and may offer specific sector/ technology calls using Grant for R&D in the future
There are 3 categories of grant available (called projects): Proof of Market, Proof of Concept and Prototype Development.
Proof of Market
This grant enables companies to assess the commercial viability of an innovative technology product or process, by carrying out:
- market research
- market testing and competitor analysis
- assessing the intellectual property position
- initial planning to take the project to commercialisation, including assessing costs, timescales and funding requirements.
Projects can last up to 9 months, the grant rate is 60% of eligible costs to a maximum grant of £25,000.
Proof of Concept
Proof of Concept grant assists businesses to explore the technical feasibility and commercial potential of an innovative technology product or process by:
- carrying out initial feasibility studies
- conducting basic prototyping
- carrying out specialist testing and/or demonstration to provide basic proof of technical feasibility
- putting in place intellectual property protection
- investigating production and assembly options.
Proof of Concept also includes pre-clinical research studies for healthcare technologies and medicines, including target identification and validation.
Projects can last up to 18 months, the grant rate is 60% of eligible project costs to a maximum grant of £100,000. This grant effectively replaces the previous Regional Development Agency Grant for R&D Research project.
Prototype Development
The Prototype Development grant allows companies to develop a technologically innovative product, service,or industrial process through to pre-production prototype stage. Eligible activities include:
- small demonstrators
- intellectual property protection
- trials and testing, including clinical
- market testing
- marketing strategies
- identifying routes to market
- product design work
- phase 0 pre-clinical studies for medicines.
Projects can last up to 24 months, the grant rate is 35% of eligible project costs for medium sized businesses and 45% for small and micro businesses, the maximum grant is £250,000 in both cases. This grant replaces the previous Regional development Agency Development project.
GRD became available as of 4 April 2011.
Help to apply
If you are looking for free advice to help you apply for the Grant for Research and Development then this is the right place for you. Additional pages will be added over time to cover various aspects of the scheme and application process. Please check back regularly.
Consultancy Help for applications
This site is maintained by a former Grant for R&D manager with 10 years experience and knowledge, if you would like one to one assistance with your application please contact me.
NB Please note this site is not associated with, or connected to, the UK government or the Technology Strategy Board.
