Regional Innovation Grants

By: Kevin Watson MSc - Updated: 21 Jan 2019 | *Discuss

 

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The UK regional governments recognise that innovation grants are a proven way to promote local businesses. Support for businesses to research and develop new products, services and processes can lead to more jobs and greater economic stability.

There’s also a keen awareness among businesses about the relevance of research and development. Innovation can boost sales, enhance profits and improve efficiency. Regional grants can offset the costs of developing such innovation, and help businesses stay competitive in global markets.

Northern Ireland

Project definition helps small and medium-sized businesses work out what type of research and development (R & D) project they need. For enterprises new to R & D, this is invaluable. Even when a business understands the need for innovation, turning this into a well-run project can take time and expertise.

To get an R & D grant in Northern Ireland, applicants must have a defined project. They must also meet the grant criteria.

The criteria include a number of key points. Essentially, a proposal must have potential to create economic growth and wealth for the region.

Areas that have obtained grants include experimental development and industrial research. With experimental development, projects must use existing skills for new or better services, processes and products. With industrial research, projects must aim to generate fresh skills to initiate new services, processes or products – or improve existing ones.

Invest Northern Ireland assesses each proposal. It then makes a decision on the amounts of the innovation grants.

Scotland

Individuals, and small and medium-sized businesses, can apply to SMART: SCOTLAND. The grants aim to meet some of the costs of research and development projects into the commercial prospects of certain products, services or processes. These must show a notable advance in technological innovation for a particular industry.

SMART: SCOTLAND prefers applicants to speak to them or to complete an initial enquiry form before making a full application. The amount of the grant awards varies.

Scottish R & D grants help defray the costs of projects that may lead to a significant advance in technology. Any size of business can apply. It’s best to speak with Scottish Enterprise before completing an application form.

Wales

When an applicant contacts the department, a team of managers reviews his or her business. Following the review, the team arranges for experts to provide help about innovation.

Applicants can fund this advice with Innovation Vouchers. These have a value of up to £10,000.

Applicants can also request a grant for R & D work into new services, processes and products. Such grants come under the Welsh Assembly’s Single Investment Fund.

Finally, as well as vouchers and grants, Wales has a support network called Technium. This network has innovation centres where businesses can obtain facilities and office space for science and technology enterprises.

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