UK Government: Grant schemes and government support
There are many grants and government support schemes available to UK businesses. The Government's Business Link website provides a comprehensive guide to them, including Innovation and R&D grants provided by BERR, the EU Framework Programme and EUREKA.
The Technology Strategy Board channels much of Government's funding for innovation. Its Collaborative R&D programme is designed to assist the industrial and research communities to work together on R&D projects in strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology - from which successful new products, processes and services can emerge. Regular competitions for funding of Collaborative R&D projects are held on different themes - eg low-carbon vehicles. For details of the current programmes and how to apply, visit the Technology Strategy Board website.
UK Government: R&D Tax Credits
Businesses that carry out research and development (R&D) can often reduce their tax bills by claiming relief for some of their R&D expenditure. There are two systems in place - R&D tax allowances and R&D tax reliefs. R&D tax reliefs are only available to companies subject to corporation tax while R&D tax allowances are available to all businesses that have a qualifying R&D spend. The online R&D Tax Credit guide from the Government's Business Link service provides a comprehensive overview, and links to the relevant Government departments.
European Union: The EU Framework Programme
The Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development is the European Union's (EU) main instruments for supporting and encouraging collaborative, transnational research, development and innovations in science, engineering and technology. It has three overall aims:
- strengthen the EU's science and technology base
- improve the EU's competitiveness
- support EU policy development
The programme is open to EU public and private entities of all sizes and incorporate provision for the participation of non-EU countries. Participation is on an internationally collaborative basis and must involve European partners. Calls for proposals are issued twice a year and are highly competitive. For further information, visit the Business Link page on the EU Framework programme, or the UK FP7 office's website
Scottish Government: SMART:SCOTLAND and General R&D Grants
SMART:SCOTLAND provides financial assistance to Scottish-based individuals and SMEs to help support projects, which represent a significant technological advance for the UK sector or industry concerned. The SMART:SCOTLAND Programme can provide grant assistance to support Technical and Commercial Feasibility Studies involving early stage R&D, and Research and Development Projects that aim to develop a pre-production prototype of a new product or process.
General R&D Grants provide financial assistance to small, medium and large enterprises to assist with the R&D of commercially viable products and processes that are novel to the business but not necessarily innovative at a national level. This consolidates the existing R&D PLUS and SCIS schemes operated by Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government's SCORE scheme.
Non-cash support: support and advice networks
There are a number of Government-supoported schemes to allow businesses to access expert advice, find commercial opportunities from other businesses, and other business development advice. These include Innovation Relay Centres, Regional Development Agency programmes local to a specific area, and online networks. Business Link provides a comprehensive guide to these forms of non-cash support.
EUREKA is a pan-European network for encouraging market-oriented, collaborative research and development (R&D) projects, which lead to the development of innovative products, processes or services. The Business Link page on EUREKA, offers an intruductory guide.