Grant for R&D
Grant for Research and Development (GR&D) is a scheme available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) throughout Kent & Medway, funded by South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and is delivered in the South East region by Finance South East.
GR&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 five types of project that can be awarded a GR&D; Proof of Market, Research, Micro Development, Development and Exceptional.
Proof of Market - (Available to all SMEs)
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Purpose of support is to test the commercial potential of an innovative idea for a new technology
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60% of costs - £5k to £20k available
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Project duration - up to 9 months
Research – (Available to small firms <50 employees)
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Purpose of support is to investigate the technical and commercial feasibility of innovative technologies.
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60% of costs - £20k to £100k (20% in advance) available
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Project duration - 6 to18 months
Micro Development – (Available to micro firms <10 employees)
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Purpose of support is to develop a simple low-cost prototype of an innovative technological product or process
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45% of costs - £5,000 to £20,000 available
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Project duration – less than 12 months
Development – (Available to all SMEs <250 employees)
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Purpose of support is to develop a pre-production prototype of a new product or process that involves significant technological advance
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35% of costs - £20k to £250k available
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Project duration - 6 to 36 months
Exceptional Projects – (Available to all SMEs <250 employees)
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Purpose of support is to develop new technologies that are of strategic importance to an industrial sector and national competitiveness
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Research - 35% of costs - maximum award £250k
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Development - 60% of costs - maximum award £500k
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Project duration - 6 to 36 months
There is no automatic entitlement. The grant is discretionary and projects will be assessed on an individual basis against the appraisal criteria.
Please click here for a quick look guide for the Grant for Research and Development (GR&D). For the latest information on GR&D in Kent and Medway and information on how to apply, please contact us.
