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UK Funding
Introduction
The same skills set which Mackintosh Consultants has used so successfully to attract European grants for numerous clients has also been usefully applied several times to UK-only funding programmes, especially those supporting R&D projects.
The main groups who award grants in the UK are:
- the Government
- regional development agencies
- local authorities or local councils and local development agencies
- Chambers of Commerce
- County Enterprise Boards
In addition, some UK government (and European) funding is distributed through regional development agencies, colleges and the Learning and Skills Council.
The Technology Programme
Technology Strategy is part of the Government's Science and Innovation ten-year framework (2004 - 2014) published in July 2004. It identifies new and emerging technologies, critical to future business success, into which government funding and activities can be directed. The Technology Programme is the combination of business support products and information that DTI are offering business in response to the Technology Strategy. The programme will be delivered through open competitions for funding using two DTI business support products:
- Collaborative Research and Development offers part funding to encourage businesses to explore ideas that are at an early stage of development with a view to eventual commercialisation;
- Knowledge Transfer Networks offers financial support given to organisations that have the capability to establish or enhance Networks.
Innovation
This is a competitive grant available to SME's only for technologically innovative projects. The scheme is split into 3 areas
- Micro projects for companies with less than 10 full time employees
- Research projects for companies with less than 50 full time employees
- Development projects for companies with less than 250 full time employees
Grant for Research & Development
Grant for Research & Development replaces the DTI's "Smart" scheme. It aims to help individuals starting up businesses and SMEs already based in England carry out research and development work on technologically innovative products and processes.
By offering a grant towards the costs of carrying out the research and development work, the Grant for Research and Development will encourage 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.
LINK Collaborative Research
LINK Collaborative Research is a government-sponsored scheme that encourages industry and academics to work together on pre-commercial research projects that will help businesses develop innovative products, processes and services. Mackintosh Consultants acts as Technical Co-ordinator on behalf of the UK Government for one of the LINK programmes, covering
Information Storage and Displays.
Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG)
The SFLG guarantees loans from the banks and other financial institutions for small firms that have viable business proposals but who have tried and failed to get a conventional loan because of lack of security.
Enterprise Capital Funds (ECF)
The Government is keen to explore how ECF's might improve SME access to equity finance. They will help fill the 'equity gap' that faces some high-growth businesses seeking relatively modest amounts of risk capital.
Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFI)
SFI is designed for businesses that are looking at the possibility of investing in an Assisted Area, but need financial help to go ahead. Delivery of the scheme in England is primarily through the RDA's.
Business Links can act as an initial point of contact and as advisers to applicants in some cases. Most manufacturing businesses are eligible as are service businesses, providing they service national rather than local markets.
Typical projects would be to
- establish a new business
- expand / modernise / rationalise an existing business
DTI Grants for Investigating an Innovative Idea
Grants of up to £12,000 can also be raised to pay up to 75% of the costs of mentors or consultants where external support is required to initiate development plans.
Businesses who have an idea to develop an innovative product, process or service, but are not sure whether they are ready to take it forward successfully, may be able to receive help under a Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea.
The grant will reimburse some of the costs of consultants chosen to provide expert advice on identified 'barriers' to the successful implementation of the business' innovative idea. The project outcome is an action plan.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are about forging partnerships between industry and an academic establishment.
The aim is to promote businesses gaining access to the knowledge and expertise available in the UK's Universities, Colleges and research organisations that might be needed to develop new products, services and processes.
Part funded by the government, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can help firms gain access to expertise that can potentially result in increased business profitability.
