Research and Development Grant

What is the Research and development grant?

The Advantage West Midlands Grant for Research and Development aim to support research or development work on technologically innovative products or processes. This is achieved by encouraging businesses to carry out Research and Development activity that they might not otherwise undertake and by helping to lever in other private finance.

Am I eligible?

Individuals, start-ups or established businesses with an innovative proposal to either develop a pre-production prototype or to conduct research that moves a concept closer to commercial realisation can all apply for this grant provided you answer ‘Yes’ to all of the below criteria.

The enterprise must be within the size limit for one of the types of grant specified below
The project must be carried out primarily within the West Midlands region
It must be demonstrated that grant is necessary for the project to proceed
Applicants must show how the balance of funding will be provided
Management abilities and the skills of the project team should be evidenced
Market need and commercial exploitation prospects should be demonstrated
Level of technological innovation, project risk and the IPR position are important
Wider issues such as environmental and social benefits will be considered.

Types of grant?

There are four types of grant available to companies:

Micro Project: Small scale projects lasting up to 12 months in Micro enterprises (those having less than ten 10 employees and either less than €2 million sales or less than €2 million of asset value). Grants are 50 percent of actual project costs and the maximum grant is £20,000.
Research Project: To produce new scientific or technical knowledge, projects lasting 6-18 months in Micro or Small businesses (those having less than 50 employees and either less than €10m sales or less than €10m of asset value). Grants are 60 per cent of project costs, or 65 percent in Tier 2 assisted areas. The minimum grant is £20,000 and the maximum £75,000.
Development Project: To develop a pre-production product or process prototype, projects lasting 6-36 months in an SME (those having less than 250 employees and either less than €50 million sales or less than €43 million of asset value). Grants are 35 per cent of project costs or 40 percent in Tier 2 assisted areas, minimum grant is £20,000 and the maximum £200,000.
Exceptional Development Project: As for Development Projects but with justifiably higher costs and which may be of strategic importance to the UK. Minimum grant is £200,000 and the maximum £500,000, the intervention rate is negotiable up to 35 percent of project costs.

I think I may be eligible

If you feel you are eligible for this we recommend you firslty read the guidance notes for applicants. The Application Form itself can also be downloaded and this, combined with the appendices described in the guidance notes, forms a complete application. Send two unbound copies to the address below and we will aim to reach a decision within six weeks of receiving a complete application.

Applications should be submitted on standard forms to:

Richard Hanson
Advantage West Midlands
3 Priestley Wharf
Holt Street
Birmingham
B7 4BN

We are ready to receive applications at any time, there is no automatic entitlement to grant and we will assess your application against the scheme criteria and also utilise a DTI-approved list of technical advisors. Everyone dealing with your application is committed to maintaining its confidentiality.

Useful links

Contact us

Economic Regeneration Team
2^nd Floor, Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1TP