There are two main grant products:
Grant for Research and Development is the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) initiative that provides grants to help individuals and small and medium-sized businesses to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes, the grant is split into four streams:
Micro Projects are simple low cost development projects lasting no longer than 12 months. The output should be a simple prototype of a novel or innovative product or process. A grant of up to £20,000 is available to businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
Research Projects typically involve planned research or critical investigation lasting between 6 and 18 months. The result of the project could be new scientific or technical knowledge that may be useful in developing a new product or process. A grant of up to £75,000 is available to businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
Development Projects involve the shaping of industrial research into a pre-production prototype of a technologically innovative product or industrial process. A grant of up to £200,000 is available for businesses with fewer than 250 employees.
Exceptional Projects involve technology developments which have higher costs. These projects are likely to generate much wider economic benefits and must be recognised as of 'strategic ' importance for a technology or industrial sector. A grant of up to £500,000 is available to SMEs with a qualifying project.
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.
For more information, please contact Business Link Kent's Innovation & Technology Adviser, Keith Casson by e-mail keith.casson@businesslinkkent.com or by calling 08457 226655
Contact Economic Development:
E-mail: econdev@dover.gov.uk
Tel: 01304 872043
