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Grant for Research and Development

Grants for research and development

Grant for Research and Development (GRD)

What is GRD?

GRD aims to help start-ups and SMEs to fund research and development work on technologically innovative products and processes. There are four different types of grant available within the scheme. Each grant supports a different type of research and development project.

 

Who qualifies for GRD?

Small and medium sized businesses and individuals planning to start up businesses in England are eligible.

 

What are the different grants?

  • Micro projects are simple, low-cost development projects lasting no longer than 12 months. A grant of up to £20,000 is available to businesses with fewer than ten employees. The funding intervention rate is up to 45%.
  • Research projects aim to investigate the technical and commercial feasibility of innovative technology and last 6 to 18 months. A grant of up to £100,000 is available to businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The funding intervention rate is up to 60%.
  • Development projects aim to develop a pre-production prototype of a new product or process that involves a significant technological advance. Projects take 6 to 36 months. A grant of up to £250,000 is available to businesses with fewer than 250 employees. The funding intervention rate is up to 35%.
  • Exceptional development projects involve a significant technological advance and are strategically important for a particular technology or industrial sector. Projects take 6 to 36 months. A negotiable grant of up to £500,000 is available to businesses with a qualifying project. The funding intervention rate is up to 35%.

If your company is based in either Wales or Scotland then a similar scheme is run by both the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Government. In Wales R&D funding falls under the Single Investment Fund (SIF) scheme. The SMART:SCOTLAND scheme funds R&D projects in Scotland.  The same broad principles apply to both schemes.