SMEs: Interested in 100% funding to research, develop and demonstrate your idea?
The Research for SMEs (R4S) scheme supports small groups of innovative SMEs in solving technological problems and acquiring technological know-how. SMEs are given the opportunity to subcontract research to RTD performers (research and technological development performers – for example Universities) in order to acquire the necessary technological knowledge. Projects may address any research topic across the entire field of science and technology.
Why should you consider this?
Your concept will be researched and demonstrated through collaboration with RTD performers that are 100% funded by the grant – i.e. the grant will enable you to access the technological know-how they need to develop new or improve existing products, systems, processes or services.
The idea is to allow you (the SME) to further develop your activities by buying knowledge from RTD performers, who sell their expertise and work. As the project instigator you as the SME will benefit from the intellectual property (IP) generated (note: no IP is retained by the RTDs). You can then realise profit from the commercialisation of this IP.
What would a project look like?
Projects must be collaborative and (as the scheme is supported by the EU) involve organisations from across Europe. Any project must include at least three independent SMEs, from three different Member States and at least two RTD performers.
The overall budget of the project would typically be between € 0.5 million to € 1.5 million and the duration of the project would normally be between 1 and 2 years.
What would be the next steps?
The deadline for application is 15th November 2012. In our experience the application process (depending on size of project, number of partners, level of definition of project etc.) can take in excess of 2 months. It would therefore be good to discuss potential projects over the next two weeks.
Why use TBAT Innovation?
We manage the application process on your behalf so that you can continue to focus on your day-to-day business. We would work closely with you to; fully define your project, verify the fit of the project with the funding call, identify and secure partners, collate input from those partners and write the grant application. Having delivered this service for a number of years we have a highly successful track record of accessing grant funding for SMEs.
Please feel free to
contact us to discuss the scheme and any potential projects