A New Grant For Research and Development

Smart is the Small Business Service (SBS) initiative that provides grants to help Individuals and small and medium sized businesses to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes. It has been shown to give good returns for the business involved and therefore for UK productivity.

Smart is being expanded as part of DTI's review of its support to business. The existing scheme formally closed to applications on 31 August 2003 and was replaced by a combination of a new 'Grant for Research and Development' and a pilot 'Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea' which have been available from 1 June 2003.

Information on all the new business support products, including an extended Small Firms Loan Guarantee, can be found on the newly launched Business Support Directory. The Directory, available on www.businesslink.org, gives businesses information and details of how to apply for support from DTI, selected other Government departments and the regions. The Directory can be searched using a number of search criteria, including region, sector, and the solution the business hopes to achieve.

Grant for Research and Development

Grant for Research and Development is designed to help individuals and small and medium-sized businesses to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes.

Investigating an Innovative Idea

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 idea. The project outcome is an action plan.