Scottish Government

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What is SCORE?

The SCORE programme is designed to support Scottish-based SMEs undertaking joint Research and Development ( R&D) projects with the public sector science base.

Under this scheme, an SME or group of SMEs with a specific technical problem or need can assign a significant part of the required scientific and technological research to a public sector research body and the Scottish Executive will help fund the project.

What does SCORE Fund?

The SCORE programme will provide funding for pre-competitive development activities in R&D, for a project from 6 months to a maximum of 18 months.

What is the Financial Support?

SCORE can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs, normally up to a maximum grant of £35,000 per project.

The research base partner(s) must incur and defray at least 40% of the total eligible costs for research and innovation-related activities of the project. The research base partner will receive 100% of their eligible costs.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for support a partnership must contain at least:

• one Scottish-based SME; and

• one public sector research body (e.g. Higher Education Institute ( HEI), Research Institute or NHS Trust).

The grant will be paid to Scottish-based SMEs,
i.e. Independent Enterprises. For the purposes of determining eligibility, the SCORE programme uses the EC definition of a small- or medium-sized enterprise contained in European Commission Recommendation 2003/361/ EC of 6 May 2003. The definition requires you to:

• have less than 250 employees (full-time equivalent world-wide including partners and executive directors) and

• have either

• an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million

• and/or

• an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.

Independent Enterprise - less than 25% of capital is owned by one enterprise, or jointly by several enterprises outwith the SME definition.

What Type of Projects can be Funded?

Most technologies are eligible but defence projects cannot be assisted, nor can projects which are affected by state aid restrictions.

What Costs are Eligible?

Costs must be directly attributable to the project and can include:

Pay of personnel working on the research activity.

Additional overheads incurred directly as a result of the research activity.

The cost of materials required for the project purchased from third parties.

The cost of consultancy and equivalent services used exclusively for the research activity.

Training costs specific to the project.

For SMEs only, the costs associated with the protection of intellectual property arising from the project.

Market assessment (but not market research or marketing) to ensure that the intended outcomes of the project will continue to meet the identified market need.

Small items of capital equipment and tooling costs.

What is the Application Process?

1) Application form A1 - completed by the SME lead partner.

2) Application form A2 - completed by the Research partner.

3) A detailed project proposal describing:

The motivation for each partner for the project and their relevant experience.

The general technical approach and the main problems to be solved.

The innovative aspect of the work.

The project relevance to the industrial sector(s).

The estimated time to market.

How the results will impact on the market.

Protection and exploitation of the results.

Further development work that will be required to achieve exploitation of the results.

Breakdown of eligible project costs.

Justification for grant support.

4) The last two years' audited accounts - if these are more than 6 months old at the date of application, you must also supply your unaudited
or management accounts.

When can Applications be Submitted?

Applications can be submitted at any time and a decision will be given within 20 working days of receipt of fully completed applications.

Before payments are made, you must submit a Collaboration agreement signed by all partners - this should also set out the partners' plans for the ownership, protection and exploitation of intellectual property.

Need More Information?

contact:

Tel: 0141 242-5559.

For electronic copies of the application pack:www.scotland.gov.uk/innovationgrants