Here's some useful information, from our Emerging Partner Team, on applying for government funding for R&D support.

Within the Emerging Partner Team at Microsoft we are constantly looking at ways in which we can support the Innovative Partners of tomorrow. We have a whole host of benefits and resources available, depending upon your business model, but the question we get asked most (and probably find hardest to definitively answer) is ‘can you help me get some funding?’ J

The answer is ‘yes’ we can help but of course we can’t guarantee.

 

One route that is often overlooked is applying for a Government grant.

I have recently been chatting with a friend at PNO Consultants who help with these applications for businesses, they take away some of the administrative hurdles and help you reach a decision quicker. Mark has sent me the table below for a quick glance at what is on offer for Software Companies for R&D support. If you want more info you can contact Mark Clayton at - Mark.Clayton@pnoconsultants.co.uk

 

Microsoft also have an awesome tool within the Small Business Community for finding a grant - http://www.microsoft.com/uk/smallbusiness/euga/default.mspx

 

 

Quick Look Guide to the Grant for Research and Development Product

 

 

Micro Projects

Research Projects

Development Projects

Exceptional Projects

Grant – all grant awards are totally at the discretion of the grantor body

 

Discretionary: covers 50% of eligible costs up to maximum grant of £20,000  

Discretionary: covers 60% of eligible costs up to maximum grant of £75,000

Discretionary: covers 35% of eligible costs up to maximum grant of £200,000

Discretionary: covers up to 35% of eligible costs up to maximum grant of £500,000

Business Eligibility

Fewer than 10 group employees

turnover <2m Euro OR

balance sheet <2m Euro

Fewer than 50 group employees

turnover <10m Euro OR

balance sheet <10m Euro

Fewer than 250 group employees

turnover <50m Euro OR

balance sheet <43m Euro

Fewer than 250 group employees

turnover <50m Euro OR

balance sheet <43m Euro

Purpose of support

Experimental Development.

Simple low-cost prototyping of an innovative technological product or process

Applied Research. To help investigate the technical and commercial feasibility of innovative technologies

Experimental Development. To help develop a pre-production prototype of a new product or process that involves a significant technological advance

Experimental Development. To help develop new technologies that  are of strategic importance to the UK

Deliverable & Timescale

A working prototype ready for commercial exploitation.
Up to 12 month project

A Report on critical project to include possible bench-top model or trial and testing of proof of concept 
6-18 month project

A pre-production prototype.
6-36 month project

A pre-production prototype.
6-36 months project

Decision turnaround

from ‘full information’

30 working days

45 working days

60 working days

90 working days