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Administrative Framework for Business Grants in England |
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(See also Grants in Scotland and Grants in Wales)
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)
 The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has direct responsibility for the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in England.
Regional Development AgenciesThe primary role of the Regional Development Agencies is as strategic drivers of regional economic development in their region. The RDAs aim to co-ordinate regional economic development and regeneration, enable the regions to improve their relative competitiveness and reduce the imbalance that exists within and between regions.
Under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, each agency has five statutory purposes, which are to:
further economic development and regeneration;
promote business efficiency, investment and competitiveness;
promote employment;
enhance development and application of skills relevant to employment;
contribute to sustainable development.
Small Business Service (SBS)
 Small Business ServiceThe Small Business Service (SBS) is an agency of the DTI. Their vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world to start and grow a business.
The SBS manages Business Link, a network of advice Business Link - a service provided by Small Business Servicecentres run by local providers for small business in England.
 The Business Link operator network provides information and other services to help small business and start-ups throughout England.
There is a wide range of financial support, grants and funding available to business in England, some of which are detailed below:
Selective Finance for Investment (SFI)
From 1 April 2004, this replaced both Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grants and Enterprise Grant Scheme (EGS) grants in the Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 2 areas of England.
For the time being the existing schemes (RSA and EGS) remain in place in Scotland and Wales.
SFI is a discretionary grant that provides assistance towards business expansion projects with fixed capital expenditure in the Assisted Areas of England.
There is no automatic formula for allocating SFI assistance, as each case is determined on its own merits.
The level of discretionary assistance is linked to the number of jobs created and or safeguarded by the proposed project and the amount of capital investment committed.
The minimum level of grant available is £10,000 with no upper limit.
R&D Grant Scheme (formerly SMART)
There are four types of grants aimed at supporting different types of research and development projects:
- Micro Project grants help you develop a simple, low-cost prototype of an innovative product or process. Project duration: up to 12 months; maximum grant £20,000.
- Research Project grants help you assess the technological and commercial feasibility of turning highly innovative technology into a new product or process. Project duration: 6-18 months; maximum grant £75,000.
- Development Project grants help you develop a pre-production prototype of a new product or process involving a significant technological advance. Project duration: 6-36 months; maximum grant £200,000.
- Exceptional Development Project grants help with the development of a new technology that is strategically important to an industrial or technology sector. Project duration: 6-36 months; maximum grant £500,000,
Other grants available in England
Detailed below is a selection of other grants available to businesses in England
E-Business initiative
Financial support is available for companies to boost their business through developing a website.
Business Development Grant
Discretionary grant providing up to 50% of the cost of expenditure of equipment for growth and modernisation.
Business Growth Grant
Grant assistance to support established businesses to expand.
Business Investment Grant
Grant assistance to support investment in regional areas by new or indigenous companies
Skills Development Grant
Financial assistance is available to help companies invest in training for their staff.
Small Business Assistance Grant
Financial assistance is available for capital expenditure projects that will stimulate business growth.
Business Start-Up Grant
Grant assistance to help people start their own business.
Innovation Services Grant
Financial assistance and other services are available to support local businesses undertaking innovative work or projects.
European Social Fund grants
Grants providing 100% funding to projects that typically provide training to targeted regional groups of the workforce or disadvantaged groups in society. Of interest to organisations that provide training or social support or can help deliver these services.
Local Grants
There are a large variety of locally available grants for projects such as business development and training. To identify these for clients, we undertake a grant search and prepare a summary report of local and national grants available to meet a client’s individual needs.
If you are interested in any of the above grants or have a requirement in a topic not shown above, just contact us on 08454 300 270 or email us at
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Confirmation of our fee structure on all grants available in England is strictly on a “no win, no fee” basis at 10% of the value of the grant when successfully obtained.
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UK Regional Grants 