Grants for Research and Development (GRD)

Grant for Research and Development aim to support research or development work on technologically innovative products or processes. This is achieved by encouraging businesses to carry out R&D activity that they might not otherwise undertake and by helping to lever in other private finance.

Individuals, start-ups or established businesses with an innovative proposal to either develop a pre-production prototype or to conduct research that moves a concept closer to commercial realisation.

• The enterprise must be within the size limit for one of the types of grant specified below
• The project must be carried out primarily within the West Midlands region
• It must be demonstrated that grant is necessary for the project to proceed
• Applicants must show how the balance of funding will be provided
• Management abilities and the skills of the project team should be evidenced
• Market need and commercial exploitation prospects should be demonstrated
• Level of technological innovation, project risk and the IPR position are important
• Wider issues such as environmental and social benefits will be considered.

There are four types of grant available to companies:

• Micro Project: Small scale projects lasting up to 12 months in Micro enterprises (those having less than 10 employees and either less than €2m sales or less than €2m of asset value). Grants are 45 per cent of actual project costs and the maximum grant is £20,000.

• Research Project: To produce new scientific or technical knowledge, projects lasting 6-18 months in Micro or Small businesses (those having less than 50 employees and either less than €10m sales or less than €10m of asset value). Grants are 60 per cent of project costs. The minimum grant is £20,000 and the maximum £100,000.

• Development Project: To develop a pre-production product or process prototype, projects lasting 6-36 months in an SME (those having less than 250 employees and either less than €50m sales or less than €43m of asset value). Grants are 35 per cent of project costs, minimum grant is £20,000 and the maximum £250,000.
• Exceptional Development Project: As for Development Projects but with justifiably higher costs and which may be of strategic importance to the UK. Minimum grant is £250,000 and the maximum £500,000, the intervention rate is negotiable up to 35 per cent of project costs.

We suggest that you first download and read the Guidance Notes for Applicants. The Application Form itself can also be downloaded and this, combined with the Appendices described in the guidance notes, forms a complete application. Send two unbound copies to the address below and we will aim to reach a decision within six weeks of receiving a complete application.

Applications should be submitted on standard forms to:

Richard Hanson 
Advantage West Midlands
3 Priestley Wharf
Holt Street
Birmingham B7 4BN

We are ready to receive applications at any time, there is no automatic entitlement to grant and we will assess your application against the scheme criteria and also utilise a national list of technical advisors. Everyone dealing with your application is committed to maintaining its’ confidentiality.