Categories of Research and Development: understanding where your project sits within the Innovate UK framework
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, supports innovative ideas and business growth through grant funding competitions. UK-based business and research organisations can apply for funding for research and development purposes, or to test their innovative ideas. Projects typically fall within four main research and development categories, each of which is explored below:
Fundamental Research
Fundamental research is the earliest stage of research and development and is usually undertaken by a research organisation. It involves the use of experimental or theoretical work to gain new knowledge of “underlying phenomena and visible facts.” Fundamental research does not involve any direct practical application or usage.
Feasibility Studies
A feasibility study involves analysis and evaluation of a project’s potential, uncovering its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential threats. Such studies will support the process of decision making. This can help businesses to decide whether to work individually or collaboratively before conducting a subsequent larger project.
Industrial Research
Projects that sit within the industrial research category involve planned research or critical investigation to gain new knowledge and skills. This is useful when the project aims to develop a new product, process or service to improve its existing counterpart. According to Innovate UK, it can include the creation of component parts to complex systems, as well as prototypes in a laboratory or environment with simulated interfaces.
Experimental Development
Experimental development involves the use of existing knowledge and skills in order to develop a new or improved product. Projects in this category should aim to make further technical improvements. To achieve this, projects may involve prototyping, demonstrating, piloting, testing and validation in environments representative of real-life operating conditions.
Within Innovate UK competition summaries, the competition scope specifies the desired category of R&D activity for that funding opportunity. For example, the ISCF Future Plastic Packaging Solutions competition intends to support feasibility studies and industrial research. You can find more information on each of the categories of research and development here, or contact us if you have any further questions.
Sustainable Innovation Fund: Round 2
Round 2 of the Sustainable Innovation Fund is now open for applications. Through Innovate UK, £26m is available for new projects focusing on sustainable economic recovery from COVID-19. The health pandemic has affected research and development across all sectors. Therefore, this competition aims to help all sectors of the UK rebuild, grow, and create new opportunities.
Scope
Your proposal must show evidence of key challenges caused by Covid-19 and how your project can help solve them. Innovate UK is looking to fund a portfolio of projects across a variety of technologies, markets, regions, technological maturities, and research categories. Specifically, your project can focus on themes including:
- decarbonisation, circular economy and/or biodiversity
- climate change and environmental sustainability
- geographic or regionally targeted innovation
- innovation that is aimed at commercial or residential users
- innovations that work across more than one sector
- follow-on international opportunities that help the UK lead the world
Eligibility
This is round 2 of a potential 3, with the third scheduled to open in September. For round 2, proposals can only be from a single business. This means no more than one partner receiving grant funding on the application. However, subcontractors are allowed.
The funding will be made as a de minimis grant. De minimis aid provides public funding up to 100% of eligible costs. Your project’s total eligible costs must be between £50,000 and £100,000. Furthermore, your project must be ready to start by 1 November 2020 and last between 3 and 6 months.
The Sustainable Innovation Fund: Round 2 closes on the 2nd September 2020. You can find further information regarding eligibility, scope, and how to apply here. For our help in putting together a competitive proposal in a short timeframe, please contact us today.
Agri-tech catalyst round 10
From Monday 20th July, UK-registered organisations can apply for funding through round 10 of the Agri-tech Catalyst. A share of up to £2.5m is available to work on agri-tech and food chain innovations in Africa.
This competition aims to increase the pace of innovation in the development of agricultural and food systems in Africa. Eligible projects will result in more use of innovations by farmers and food systems organisations, such as manufacturers, processors, retailers, distributors, and wholesalers.
The competition is funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). It has three strands running at the same time:
If you are unsure, RedKnight Consultancy can help you decide which strand to apply for.
Scope
There are many opportunities and challenges for food systems. Therefore, Innovate UK are looking to fund a range of projects, across a variety of technologies, markets, technological maturities research categories, and different strands of the competition. Your proposal must show the potential to have a positive impact on poverty through the uptake of agricultural and food systems technology and innovation.
You can choose from one or more of the following areas:
- primary crop and livestock production, including aquaculture
- non-food uses of crops, excluding ornamentals
- challenges in food processing, distribution or storage, and value addition (such as through a change in the physical state or form of the product)
- improving the availability and accessibility of safe, healthy and nutritious foods
Your project's innovations must be sustainable in the context of environmental challenges, including climate change and resource scarcity. Furthermore, they should minimise negative effects such as pollution and food waste, and promote safe, healthy, and nutritious diets.
For further details on eligibility, scope, and how to apply, please visit Innovate UK. If you think that you might be eligible for Agri-tech Catalyst funding, contact us today to arrange a free consultation.
BEIS Funding Allocations 2020-2021
BEIS 2020-21 Funding Allocations reveal a huge boost for UK research and innovation.
The Chancellor’s 2020 Budget included ambitious plans to increase public research and development (R&D) investment to £22 billion by 2024. This is the largest and fastest ever expansion of funding for research and innovation, taking direct support for R&D to 0.8% of GDP. It places the UK among the top quarter of OECD nations.
The Government remains committed to meeting this goal, despite the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is moving forward with its plans, confirming allocations of the R&D budget for 2020-2021. As a first step towards meeting this ambition, £10.36 billion of funding is being allocated to BEIS programmes and partner organisations this financial year.
The funding includes:
- investment in world-leading science and advanced mathematics
- investment in Net Zero technologies in the energy, automotive and aerospace sectors
- support to immediate efforts to respond to COVID-19, including sponsoring efforts to manufacture and trial a vaccine
- investment to secure and maintain the essential talent and infrastructure needed to deliver cutting-edge research.
In short, funding for public sector research establishments will enable the UK to be at the forefront of fusion energy technology. It will also deliver world-leading meteorological and climate science, develop cutting-edge quantum measurement techniques, and capitalise on the UK’s space capabilities. In a move aimed at creating stability during the pandemic, BEIS is providing further support to R&D intensive businesses and higher education institutions.
If you're interested in viewing the full list of R&D allocations for this financial year, click here. Alternatively, to discuss funding opportunities with one of our specialist advisers, please contact us today.
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