Our R&D Grant supports businesses developing new products, processes and services to improve company competitiveness and to benefit the Scottish economy. Projects must represent a significant innovation for the company concerned and significant risks should be associated with the challenge of developing a new product, process or service.

We don’t support projects where the work has already started or commercial contracts are in place. We’ll need to understand why you need our support to make this activity happen as well as what might happen anyway if support isn't available.

The selection process will take account of a number of factors including:

• The nature of the R&D
• The creation or safeguarding of R&D jobs
• Links into other local companies perhaps for materials or specialist knowledge
• Global market opportunity
• Intellectual property
• The wider impact for society, including factors such as environmental impact, sustainability and health and safety. We will not support projects which will have a known adverse effect on the environment and/or society.

You must also demonstrate that:

• The commercial prospects for the end product, process or service are good with realistic and effective routes to market. Evidence of potential commercial interest would be beneficial.
• You have the necessary management and technical expertise and resources, either "in-house" or brought-in, to make the project a success. The R&D grant aims to help grow R&D capacity within Scotland’s businesses, so it is not possible to support projects where the majority of the R&D activity is being undertaken by third parties outwith the business.
• Financial assistance under the R&D grant is essential, and both the project and the business are financially viable.

Is your business eligible for our R&D Grant?