Status: Closed
Key features: A grant scheme which offers funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in R&D projects in the strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology.
Programme: Smart

Award: Varies depending on grant type
Opens: 29 Jan 2015, 12:22
Registration closes: No deadline
Closes: 26 Mar 2015, 12:00
Support phone number: 0300 321 4357

« go back

Smart - 2014-15 - Round 6

Competition results

Please see here for the competition results.

Support for innovative SMEs

Smart is a grant scheme which offers funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in R&D projects in the strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology, from which successful new products, processes and services could emerge.

The scheme supports SMEs carrying out R&D which offers potentially significant rewards and that could stimulate UK economic growth.

Three types of grant are available:

Proof of market
Proof of concept
Development of prototype.

Any UK SME undertaking research and development may apply.

Smart – Proof of market

This grant enables companies to assess commercial viability, through:

market research
market testing and competitor analysis
intellectual property position
initial planning to take the project to commercialisation, including assessing costs, timescales and funding requirements.

Key features

Duration – up to 9 months
Maximum grant – £25k
Funding proportion – up to 60% of total project costs

Smart – Proof of concept

A grant to explore the technical feasibility and commercial potential of a new technology, product or process:

initial feasibility studies
basic prototyping
specialist testing and/or demonstration to provide basic proof of technical feasibility
intellectual property protection
investigation of production and assembly options.

It also includes pre-clinical research studies for healthcare technologies and medicines, including target identification and validation.

Key features

Duration – up to 18 months
Maximum grant – up to £100k
Funding proportion – up to 60% of total project costs

Smart – Prototype development

This funding is used by companies to develop a technologically innovative product, service or industrial process:

small demonstrators
intellectual property protection
trials and testing, including clinical
market testing
marketing strategies
identifying routes to market
product design work
pre-clinical studies for medicines.

Key features

Duration – up to 2 years
Maximum grant – £250k
Funding proportion – up to 35% of total project costs for medium enterprises; up to 45% for small and micro enterprises

Further information

Who can apply?

Pre start-ups, start-ups, and small and medium-sized businesses from all sectors across the UK, undertaking R&D.

Unsure if your business is an SME?

We use the European definition of SME.

Previous schemes

Smart replaces the Grant for R&D scheme previously run by regional development agencies.

Devolved administrations

Smart works alongside similar programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Future programmes

In future we may also run themed competitions using the Smart grant scheme in our priority investment areas.

To apply or find out more:

E: support@innovateuk.gov.uk

T: 0300 321 4357

Previous Smart competition results

Smart 2014/15 - Competition results

Smart 2013/14 - Round 6 - Competition results

Smart 2013/14 - Round 5 - Competition results

Smart 2013/14 - Round 4 - Competition results

Smart 2013/14 - Round 3 - Competition results

Smart - Round 3 - Proof of concept