Smart
The
Smart scheme provides help to individuals and small and medium-sized
businesses to review their use of technology, access technology and
research and develop technologically innovative products and processes.
The
DTI introduced the new Smart scheme in England in April 1997. It combines
the previous SMART, SPUR, SPURplus schemes and the innovation element of
Regional Enterprise Grants. Further reviews and modifications took place
in October 1999 and August 2000.
The
scheme now consists of 6 elements of support:-
Basic
details
Technology
Reviews-
Grants of up to £2,500 for individuals and small and medium sized firms
(fewer than 250 employees) towards the cost of expert reviews against best
practice.
Technology
Studies-
Grants of up to £5000 for individuals and small and medium sized firms
(fewer than 250 employees) to help identify technological opportunities
leading to innovative products and processes.
Micro
Projects-
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to help individuals and micro-firms
(fewer than 10 employees) with the development of low-cost prototypes of
products and processes involving technical advances and/or novelty.
Feasibility
Studies:
Individuals and independent small businesses with fewer than 50 employees and
either an annual turnover not exceeding ECU 7 million or an annual balance
sheet total not exceeding ECU 5 million may submit proposals for support
for a project to determine the technical or commercial feasibility of a
concept. Assistance will be 75% of eligible project costs up to a maximum
grant of £45,000. Eligible costs of feasibility studies must exceed £30,000
and expect to last for 6 to 18 months to be considered for support.
Development
Projects:
Independent businesses with fewer than 250 employees and either an
annual turnover not exceeding ECU 40 million or an annual balance sheet
total not exceeding ECU 27 million may apply for development project
support. The award in this case will be 30% of eligible project costs up
to a maximum grant of £150,000 (less any feasibility studies support for
the same project). Development projects must exceed £60,000 and last from
6 months to 3 years to be eligible for support.
Exceptional
Development Projects:
A very small number of exceptional development projects which are viewed
as of national strategic importance to the industry sector, may apply for
greater support at a variable percentage of total eligible costs (with a
maximum rate of 30%). Eligibility is the same as for standard Development
projects (above) except that award in this case will be negotiable up to a
maximum of 30% of eligible project costs and to a maximum grant of £450,000.
How
to apply in London
If the majority of your project activity is to be carried out at a
location in Greater London, you should contact your nearest London
Business Link first. To find out which local Business Link this is, and be
referred directly to them, call Business Link London on 0845 756776.
Alternatively, contact Government Office for London (GOL), Innovation Team
direct on: 020 7217 3204.
To be
considered for either a Feasibility or Development grant, you should
discuss your project with a Business Links Specialist Counsellor or a GOL
Innovation Team member, - they will try to determine that you fit the
basic eligibility criteria and that your project seems to be appropriate.
You will then be sent an application form which you should complete and
return, within 12 months, to GOL. Blank forms are available from GOL and
various intermediary organisations including Business Links (BLs).
Application forms and guidance notes can also be downloaded from the DTI's
Small Business Service website www.businessadviceonline.org/smart
in the format of applicant's
notes and application
form.Entries by facsimile cannot be accepted.
Limits
on Grants per Beneficiary
Grant
support for Feasibility Studies, Micro Projects, Technology Reviews and
Technology Studies are all categorised as "de minimis" under EC
regulations. This is also the case for many other forms of support from
LAs, TECs, etc unless the aid is notified to the EC. Check with your grant
provider. This means no single beneficiary may receive more than 100,000
Euro (currently £62,170) of "de minimis" assistance in any
three-year period.
When
can you start work
Normally,
the decision on your application will be made within 2 months of
receipt, however this can take longer if all the information needed for an
appraisal is not provided. If successful, we will send you a formal offer
("offer letter") specifying the technical programme of work, the
amount of support and other general conditions, including access to
information about the project. Upon receipt of your signed acceptance of
these conditions, you can commence work from the date specified in the
offer letter. Work carried out in advance will not be eligible for
support.
For
more information
For
technology reviews, technology studies and micro projects phone the DTI
Publications Orderline, 0870 1502 500 (fax 0870 1502 333, textphone 0870
1502 100, E-mail dtipubs@echristian.co.uk. Please quote the following
reference numbers:
Micro Projects-URN 99/ST79
Technology Reviews- URN 99/ST78
Technology Studies- URN 99/ST78
Alternatively
contact your nearest Business
Link or find your nearest Business Link by calling 0845 756776
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