SMART GRANTS: MAY 2021

1. Title: SMART GRANTS: MAY 20212. Awarding Authority: Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, GB Tel: 0300 3214357. Email: support@innovateuk.ukri.org.3. Contract type: Service contract4. Description: UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.Smart is Innovate UK’s ‘Open grant funding’ programme.Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing up to £25 million in the best game-changing and commercially viable innovative or disruptive ideas. All proposals must be business focused.Applications can come from any area of technology and be applied to any part of the economy, such as, but not exclusively:the arts, design and mediacreative industriesscience or engineeringWhilst we welcome projects that overlap with the grand challenge areas this is not a requirement, as we are also keen to support projects in other areas.To monitor the impact of our work to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), all applicants are required to complete the EDI survey. Applicants are also prompted to consider EDI as part of the application processEDI considerations are highly encouraged where appropriate in the proposal. Applications will continue to be assessed on their innovation merit, where innovation is defined as the potential for commercially successful exploitation of ideas.In applying to this competition, you are entering a highly competitive process where your chance of success in securing funding will depend on the number and quality of applications submitted.This competition closes at 11am UK time on the deadline statedYour proposal must demonstrate:a clear game-changing, innovative, disruptive, and ambitious idea leading to new products, processes or servicesan idea that is significantly ahead of others in the field, set for rapid commercialisationa strong and deliverable business plan that addresses (and documents) market potential and needsa clear, evidence based plan to deliver significant economic impact, return on investment (ROI) and growth through commercialisation, as soon as possible after project completiona team, business arrangement or working structure with the necessary skills and experience to run and complete the project successfully and on timeawareness of all the main risks the project will face (including contractor or equipment failure, recruitment delays, etc) with realistic management, mitigation and impact minimisation plans for each riskclear, considerable potential to significantly impact either or both, the UK economy and productivity in a positive waysound, practical financial plans and timelines that represent good value for money, which will always be a consideration in Innovate UK funding decisionsSpecific themesYour project should:demonstrate realistic, significant potential for global marketstake customer and user needs into account to deliver more desirable and useful solutionsProposals from innovation-based businesses with significant ambition and potential for growth or scale up are welcome.Research categoriesWe will fund innovative research and development (R&D) projects across a variety of technologies, markets and research categories, including:feasibility projectsindustrial research projectsexperimental development projectsAs defined in the guidance on categories of research.Projects we will not fundWe are not funding projects that:do not meet the competition eligibility or scopedo not address the size, potential and access to market for the innovationdo not evidence the potential for their idea or concept to lead to significant return on investment (ROI), positive economic impact, growth and scale-up of the businessare dependent on export performance – for example giving a subsidy to a baker on the condition that they export a certain quantity of bread to another country.are dependent on domestic inputs usage – for example if they insisted that a baker use 50% UK flour in their product.We will not fund commercialisation activities.5. CPV Code(s): 73000000, 73200000, 731100006. NUTS code(s): UKK, UKK1, UKK147. Main site or location of works, main place of delivery or main place of performance: South West (England), Gloucestershire, Wiltshire And Bristol/Bath Area, Swindon.8. Reference attributed by awarding authority: Not provided.9. Estimated value of requirement: Project sizeProjects of 6 – 18 months must have total eligible project costs between £25,000 and £500,000 and can be single or collaborative. Projects of 19 – 36 months must have total eligible project costs between £25,000 and £2 million and must be collaborative10. Competition closes: 25.8.2021 (11:00:00).11. Address to which they must be sent: For further information regarding the above contract notice please visit: 12. Other information: Funding type GrantWho can applyYour projectYour project must:include at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) as the lead or a collaborative grant claiming partnerstart by 1 February 2022end by 31 January 2025follow specific rules dependent on its durationIf your project’s duration is 6 to 18 months:it must have total eligible project costs between £25,000 and £500,000it can be single or collaborativeIf your project’s duration is 19 to 36 months, it must:have total eligible project costs between £25,000 and £2 millionbe collaborativeIf you want to submit a collaborative project from 19 months to 36 months duration with total eligible project costs of up to £3 million as a permitted exception, you must email support@innovateuk.ukri.org. You must provide full justification at least 10 working days before the competition closes. We will decide whether to approve your request.Unless you have already received our authorisation, any application submitted that does not meet the criteria will be marked as ineligible and will not be sent for assessment.Contact usIf you need more information about how to apply email support@innovateuk.ukri.org or call 0300 321 4357.Our phone lines are open from 9am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).Innovate UK is committed to making support for applicants accessible to everyone.We can provide help for applicants who face barriers when making an application. This might be as a result of a disability, neurodiversity or anything else that makes it difficult to use our services. We can also give help and make other reasonable adjustments for you if your application is successful.If you think you need more support, it is important that you contact our Customer Support Service as early as possible during your application process. You should aim to contact us no later than 10 working days before the competition closing date.Finding a project partnerIf you want help to find a project partner, contact the Knowledge Transfer Network.Support for SMEs from Innovate UK EDGEIf you receive an award, you will be contacted about working with an innovation and growth specialist at Innovate UK EDGE. This service forms part of our funded offer to you.These specialists focus on growing innovative businesses and ensuring that projects contribute to their growth. Working one-to-one, they can help you to identify your best strategy and harness world-class resources to grow and achieve scale.We encourage you to engage with EDGE, delivered by a knowledgeable and objective specialist near you.Help with equality, diversity and inclusionYou may find our Guidance on EDI questions helpful.TKR-2021526-EX-1619988# funding opportunity