GRD Offers Accepted
2005 – to date
Since One NorthEast became responsible for delivering and administering the Grant for Research and Development (GRD) scheme, the Agency has fully embraced the importance of innovation in improving the economic performance of the North East.
As such, the GRD Team had its budget boosted to a total of £8m from 2005 to 2008. This comprised an extra £5m from One NorthEast to add to an original £3m from DTI. Additionally, the team has expanded to add additional human resource to support R&D activity in the North East.
The increased finance and strengthened team heralded a push by One NorthEast to increase the numbers of small and medium-sized businesses carrying out product research and development – with the ultimate aim of assisting the region’s efforts in the RES to increase its businesses productivity rate to 90% of the national average over the next decade.
We are already beginning to see the effects that this commitment is having, with the GRD Team being able to assist more businesses, as illustrated below:
| Number of Offers Made | Total Grant Awarded | Total Project Costs | |
| 2005 / 2006 | 24 | £1.85m | £4.67m |
| 2006 / 2007 | 37 | £2.95m | £7.03m |
| 2007 / 2008 | 44 | £3.14 | £7.14 |
| Total | 105 | £7.94m | £18.84m |
Press Releases
Projects that have been successful in securing a Grant for Research and Development may be announced in press releases, if the company wishes, which is a great promotion for businesses who wish to be recognised for their innovative ideas.
The following are examples that have been issued by our News Centre:
- Scott Racing Ltd (Green engine to power touring cars)
- Complement Genomics Ltd (Wearside firm splitting hairs for DNA advancement)
- VS Oraltech Solutions Ltd (Brushing away dental problems)
- Orla Protein Technologies Ltd (One NorthEast welcomes Orla Protein Technologies announcement)
- ReInnervate (Stem cell develops revolutionary technology)
- Seaward Electronics Ltd (Grant aid kickstarts testing times at regional firm)
Further details are available by contacting the Grant for Research & Development Team (GRD) within One NorthEast.
For more information on further government support to invest in R&D, please visit the BERR Innovation website.
>> DTI Grant for Research and Development North East Awards 2007 - See the highlights of the GRD 2007 Awards Dinner, hosted by One NorthEast.
