Access funding for R&D

Yorkshire Forward’s £15m Industrial R&D (IRD) scheme, which encourages large companies in Yorkshire & Humber to carry out new research and development projects, is now open for new applications.

Who can apply?

Companies must either be based in the region or be planning to invest here. They will also need to collaborate with others on their proposed R&D project. The project must have a total budget of between £650k and £2.5m, and must last between one and two years.

The Tunstall success story.

Tunstall, the healthcare specialist, is a previous recipient of an IRD grant. Tunstall worked with Barnsley Hospital to develop its next generation of telecare support.  Using the grant, it produced ADLife – an ingenious system of sensors that can be placed around the home to detect when an individual becomes ill, and then raise an alarm.

As Alex McWhirter, assistant director of business at Yorkshire Forward explains: “In a climate when companies of all sizes are struggling to access finance for new developments, this financial support will help our regional businesses retain their competitive edge.

“The purpose of the IRD scheme is to provide an injection of finance for a project that will accelerate its progression to market, allowing the company to expand or access new markets, whilst mitigating some of the investment risk associated with new product development.”

For more information on how to apply to the grant scheme, visit www.yfird.org