Types of Research and Development Grants available
There are five types of grant available aimed at supporting different types of research and development projects each offering different levels of assistance:
Proof of Market Grants
Provide assistance to SMEs to carry out pre-R&D exploratory research on the market and IP opportunity of an innovative idea
- Must have fewer than 250 employees groupwide
- Percentage of costs covered is 60%
- Grant awards will be between £5,000 and £20,000
- Project duration: 3 to 9 months
Micro Projects
Provide assistance to SMEs to develop a low cost prototype:
- Must have fewer than 10 employees groupwide
- Percentage of costs covered is 45%
- Grant awards will be between £5,000 and £20,000
- Project duration: 3 to 12 months
Research Projects
Assist SMEs to examine the technical and commercial feasibility of innovative technology:
- Must have fewer than 50 employees groupwide
- Percentage of costs covered is 60%
- Grant awards will be between £20,000 and £100,000
- Project duration: 6 to 18 months
Development Projects
Assistance for SMEs to carry out research up to pre production prototype stage of a new product or process which involves a significant technological advance:
- Must have fewer than 250 employees groupwide
- Percentage of costs covered is 35%*
- Grant awards will be between £20,000 and £250,000
- Project duration: 6 to 36 months
* 40% funding rate for those firms with fewer than 50 group employees and a turnover or balance sheet of not more than 10 million euros
Exceptional Development Projects
Provide assistance to SMEs to develop products or processes that are of strategic importance to the industry sector and UK:
- Must have fewer than 250 employees groupwide
- Percentage of costs covered is negotiable up to 35%
- Grant awards will be between £250,000 and £500,000
- Project duration: 6 to 36 months
* Up to 40% funding rate for those firms with fewer than 50 group employees and a turnover or balance sheet of not more than 10 million euros
Further details are available by contacting the Grant for Research & Development Team within One North East.
For more information on further government support for R&D, please visit the BIS Innovation website.
