Grant for R&D

Grant for Research and Development (Grant for R&D) is a Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) scheme, which replaced the former DTI 'Smart' scheme.

The scheme is available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) throughout Kent & Medway and is delivered in the South East region by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Grant for R&D aims to help start-ups and SMEs carry out research and development work on technologically innovative products and processes. The scheme is focused on encouraging businesses to carry out projects that they would not necessarily undertake without the grant and lever in to these projects finance from reluctant private investment sources.

There are four types of project that can be awarded a Grant for R&D; micro, research, development and exceptional.

Micro Project - (Available to micro firms <10 employees)

  • Development of a low-cost prototype for an innovative product or process prior to commercial exploitation
  • 45% of eligible costs
  • £5 to £20k available 
  • Project duration - less than 12 months  

Research Project - (Available to small firms <50 employees)

  • Research into or critical investigation of new technology, novel products or processes in an innovative sector
  • Project would involve critical analysis, trials and testing, data gathering and reports into a new product or process
  • 60% of costs - £20k to £100k (20% in advance) available 
  • Project duration - 6 to 18 months

Development Project - (Available to all SMEs <250 employees)

  • Development of a pre-production prototype with significant technological advance of a new product or process
  • Project must shape industrial research into a product or process
  • 35% of costs - £20k to £250k available 
  • Project duration - 6 to 36 months  

Exceptional Development Project - (Available to all SMEs <250 employees)

  • New, exceptionally innovative product or process which is strategically important to the industrial/technology sector
  • Project must provide significant benefits for society e.g. medical/biotechnology
  • 35% of costs - maximum award £500k
  • Project duration - 6 to 36 months

For the latest information on R&D in Kent and Medway and information on how to apply, please contact us on 01732 520700.