(i) Technical and Commercial Feasibility Studies

• These should involve early stage R&D, the outcome of which will enable informed decisions on the technical and commercial feasibility of a new product or process.
• Support for Technical and Commercial Feasibility Studies is available on a discretionary basis at 75% of the eligible project costs.
• Projects must last between 6 and 18 months and the maximum grant is £70,000. One third of the grant is paid upfront when the project starts. The remainder of the grant is normally paid quarterly in arrears against claims submitted.

(ii) Research & Development Projects

• Research and Development Projects that aim to develop a pre-production prototype of a new product or process.
• Support for Research and Development projects is available on a discretionary basis at 35% of the eligible project costs. Projects must last between 6 and 36 months and the maximum grant is £600,000. Grant is normally paid quarterly in arrears and minimum project costs should be £75,000.
• Any SME that meets the SMART: SCOTLAND eligibility criteria may apply for a SMART Research and Development Grant, irrespective of whether they receive support under SMART for a Feasibility Study.

Application forms and guidance notes are available to download. Find out more about the funding available on the SMART:SCOTLAND programme website.