Innovate UK – Open Programme Round 3
Competition Opened on 12th June 2017
Apply before midday on 9th August 2017
UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £15 million to deliver game-changing, cutting-edge innovations with significant potential for impact on the UK economy.
To be in scope, a proposal must:
– demonstrate cutting-edge, game-changing or disruptive innovation leading to novel, new products, processes or services
– articulate a clear, anticipated growth and commercialisation impact for businesses with considerable, demonstrable potential (as you would set out in a pitch to any serious investor) to lead to a significant return on investment (ROI)
Projects can focus on:
– feasibility studies which may include market research
– industrial research
– experimental development depending on the challenge identified and proposed solution
Priority will be given to proposals that are likely to lead to sustainable gains in productivity and/or access to new overseas markets through export-led business growth.
Projects may last between 6 and 36 months. Total eligible project costs should range from £25,000 to £1 million depending on the type of research and development (R&D) to be undertaken. It is important to note that any project with total costs outside this range will be deemed out of scope and ineligible.
The percentage of costs that will be paid through a grant varies, depending on the type of research being carried out and size and type of organisation involved.
For feasibility studies and industrial research, you could get:
– up to 70% of your eligible project costs if you are a small business
– up to 60% if you are a medium-sized business
– up to 50% if you are a large business
For experimental development projects which are nearer to market, you could get:
– up to 45% of your eligible project costs if you are a small business
– up to 35% if you are a medium-sized business
– up to 25% if you are a large business
An applicant can only submit one project application per competition round. If more than one application per round is submitted, only the first application will be considered for assessment.
To lead a project you must:
– be a UK-based business
– be a business of any size
– carry out your project in the UK
– work alone or in collaboration with others (businesses, research base and third sector)
If you have a current Smart programme funded project which has its final close out meeting after midday on 9 August 2017, then you are not eligible to apply for this round of the open competition.