The Grant for Research and Development is a Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) business support initiative which provides funding to help individuals and small and medium-sized businesses research and develop technologically innovative products and processes. The grants are discretionary and the South West of England Regional Development Agency will draw on the advice of independent technical specialists and internal expertise to appraise applications and decide which projects can receive funding. 
 
What is Grant for Research and Development? 
 
The South West of England Regional Development Agency is currently supporting four types of projects:

• Proof of Market Projects test the commercial potential of an innovative idea for a new technology, lasting no more than 9 months. The output should be a thorough and professional analysis of the scale of the market opportunity. Grants of £5,000 - £20,000 are available to small and medium sized businesses.
• 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. Aid of £5,000 - £20,000 for all micro businesses covering 45% of eligible costs is available.
• Research Projects 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. Grants of £20,000 - £100,000 for micro and small businesses covering 60% of eligible costs are available.
• Development Projects 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. Grants of £20,000 - £250,000 are available, covering up to 40% of eligible costs for small businesses and 35% of eligible costs for medium sized business.
• Exceptional Development Projects involve technology developments, 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. The scheme offers grants between £250,000 and £500,000 for projects lasting 6-36 months, covering 40% of eligible costs for small businesses or 35% of eligible costs for medium sized business.
• Exceptional Research Projects typically involve planned research or critical investigation, 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 such as life sciences and low carbon energy. The scheme offers grants between £100,000 and £250,000 for projects lasting 6-36 months, covering 60% of eligible costs.

You can visit our Case Studies section to read about successful applicants to the scheme - just search under R&D. 
 
How to Apply 
 
If you are a small or medium-sized business seeking funding for a Research and Development Project, you should contact your local Business Link in the first instance. 
 
Details of your local Business Link can be found on the website: www.businesslink.gov.uk, or by calling 0845 6009966. 
 
Initial Proposal Form 
 
The Initial Proposal Form is available for you to complete before completing the main Application Form. It is essential for you to complete the Initial Proposal Form if your project involves environmental technologies so that we can assess if you are eligible for a Carbon Trust Applied Research Grant instead. We strongly recommend that an Initial Proposal Form is also completed for all other Grant for Research & Development applications, so that we can assess if the project is a suitable fit for the scheme. 
 
Full Applications 
 
Applications can be submitted at any time until further notice. Details of any changes including temporary or permanent closure to the call for proposals will be published at this website.  
 
Prospective projects are subjected to detailed internal and external appraisal of technical, financial and strategic aspects of the proposal, in order that the South West RDA can make clear and informed decisions on which projects can receive funding. We aim to process your application within 90 days, but in order to achieve this prompt responses to queries are required. Applicants should anticipate this time scale when submitting an application. 
 
Where to send the application forms 
 
Grant for R and D is managed by the South West RDA Business Innovation Team. The team is responsible for paying grant claims and monitoring the progress of successful projects, as well as appraising new applications. Initial Proposal forms and applications should be addressed to:  
 
South West Regional Development Agency  
Grant for Research and Development  
100 Temple Street  
Bristol  
BS1 6AE  
Tel: 0117 933 0266 
e-mail: innovation@southwestrda.org.uk 
 
Application packs should be submitted in paper form, and backed up by electronic copies. 
 
Application Documents 
 
Grant for Research and Development Initial Proposal Form (Microsoft Word Document - 341.50kb) 
 
Grant for Research and Development: Initial Proposal Form Guidance (Microsoft Word Document - 214.52kb) 
 
Grant for Research and Development Application Form (Microsoft Word Document - 230.4kb) 
 
Grant for Research and Development Application Form Appendix: Financial Schedules (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet - 93.69kb) 
 
Grant for Research and Development: Guidance Notes for Applicants (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 532.67kb) 
 
Grant for Research and Development Claim form for Live Projects (Microsoft Word Document - 158.72kb) 
 
Technical Advisers Register (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 56.64kb)