Final Call For Low Carbon Research And Development Funding In East Of England
February 4, 2011
The East of England Development Agency’s £5.5 million Grant for R&D fund is set to close on 31 March, giving entrepreneurs and SMEs a final two months to access grants of up to £250,000 to develop innovative low carbon technologies.
The Grant for R&D is a one of the Solutions for Business portfolio of support measures, administrated on a regional basis by the Regional Development Agencies. The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has issued a final call for applications to the Grant for R&D in the East of England, specifically targeting entrepreneurs and SMEs seeking to develop new, technologically innovative low carbon products, processes and services.
Around £2 million of the original £5.5 million fund is still up for grabs, with no requirement to surrender equity and the added bonus of tax credits on R&D spend.
The Grant for R&D in the East of England can fund four stages of the R&D process:
- Proof of Market Projects (max. 60% up to £20,000) – to help businesses and entrepreneurs test the commercial potential of an idea for a technologically innovative new product, process or service.
- Research Projects (max. 60% up to £100,000) – to help entrepreneurs and businesses assess the technological and commercial feasibility of an innovative technology.
- Micro Projects (max. 45% up to £20,000) – for the development of a low-cost working prototype or pre-production technology.
- Development Projects (max. 40% up to £250,000) – to develop a pre-production prototype or undertake pre-clinical studies.
Paul May, executive director of innovation at EEDA, said:
"EEDA’s grant funding can give businesses developing new technologies that early-stage funding boost they need to get their projects off the ground. They also have a track record of giving up-and-coming businesses the stamp of approval they need to go on and attract further investment.
"EEDA has £2 million of grant funding available to support low carbon research and development up to the end of this financial year. But it’s first come, first served and applications need to be in and approved by the 31 March."
"This is not just aimed at companies developing wind turbines or other traditional ‘environmental technologies’. You may be developing a new software system, ICT solution or an advanced manufacturing process for example, that has a positive knock-on effect on the environment – reducing carbon emissions, energy consumption or our reliance on natural resources. If so, you could be eligible for EEDA’s grant funding and we would welcome your application."
Applicants can submit an initial application form to EEDA to check the eligibility of their proposal, which should take around three days to assess. Applications must be submitted by the final application deadline on 31 March and wil be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visit the EEDA website for further information
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