To qualify for SMART: SCOTLAND funding, projects must represent a significant innovative technological advance for the UK industry or sector concerned. Technical risks should be associated with the technology challenge. Most technologies are eligible and applications from traditional industries and hi-tech businesses are equally welcome. However, we do not support defence projects.

Individuals planning to set up a business, small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and university spin-out companies are eligible, provided they are based in Scotland or planning to set up in Scotland.

Definition of an SME by the European Commission

You must also demonstrate:

• Your business owns or has the rights to exploit the intellectual property needed to undertake the project and all intellectual property arising from the project.
• The commercial prospects for the end product or process 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.
• Financial assistance under SMART: SCOTLAND is essential, and both the project and the business are financially viable.

Technological innovation step

A patent for an invention can only be granted if it contains an technological innovation step. This means the invention should have something seen as invention by someone who is skilled in that area of technology.

To help you define what an technological innovation step is and determine if the project you're considering has the potential to be a SMART: SCOTLAND project, we've created some guidance.

More about technological innovation step