Eurostars Programme is a European Joint Programme dedicated to the R&D performing SMEs, and co-funded by the European Communities and 33 EUREKA member countries. Eurostars aims to stimulate these SMEs to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding.

A new national programme which will focus on helping small and medium manufacturing businesses to grow has officially launched, Business Minister Mark Prisk and the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC) announced today.

Recently the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) concluded that globalisation of the value chain has led to manufacturers carrying out more activity in different locations around the world, which in turn has led to increased and intensified competition for UK companies in both domestic and international markets.

The new Patent Box regime will be a preferential regime for profits arising from patents allowing companies to apply a 10% corporation tax rate to profits attributed to patents. The standard tax rate is currently 26% as from April 2011.

This year Sam Stephens at TBAT Innovation is supporting the Movember campaign which aims to raise vital funds for mens health and prostate cancer in particular.

TBAT Innovation would like to congratulate CommonTime on their recent Innovation Through Technology award at the recent Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce Best of Business Awards 2011. The awards took place on Friday 30th September, at Derby's Roundhouse venue.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are highly prestigious awards for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development. The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion is awarded to individuals.

Since April TBAT Innovation has helped secure grants worth £230,000 for two companies in Leicestershire, £650,000 for three in Derbyshire, and £250,000 for one in Lincolnshire. To qualify a company needed to have an innovative technology project relating to product or market development.

The Technology Strategy Board issue a variety of calls across a range of industries and project types throughout the year. Below are some of the latest collaborative research and development calls for proposals and the dates which they open.

TBAT Innovation are pleased to be exhibiting at this years TCT Live 2011 show at the NEC in Birmingham on the 27th-29th September. The event focuses on a range of product development and additive manufacturing technologies.

TBAT Innovation have recently been awarded ISO 9001 Quality Management certification. This is part of TBAT Innovation ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and how it does business both internally and with clients.

TBAT Innovation has recently applied for and successfully secured grant funding for 4 East Midlands based SMEs totalling £775K. These grants will assist the companies to develop new products and technologies and explore market potential, enabling business growth and allowing greater levels of competitiveness into the future.

Smart (previously known as Grant for Research and Development) is a Technology Strategy Board scheme offering 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.

Get tailored professional advice for your company on how to: • Earn R&D tax credits • Obtain UK and Eur...