2007-2013 Programmes : ERDF Priority 1 - Research and Innovation
The aim of the Priority is to improve the competitiveness of the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland enterprise base through increased innovation and a fuller use of its RTD base.
It is recognised that there are already active steps to improve links between industry and the main sources of research in the region, commercialisation of university research, high-tech new starts and non-local collaborative research. Under Priority 1 ERDF can make value-added contributions to the following:
Support for individual enterprises and research centres, such as funding for commercialisation of RTD. Eligible activities include:
- Support for small-scale research infrastructure in research centres of expertise
- Technology transfer programmes for individual enterprises and research centres
- Support to enterprises and individuals for converting research ideas into potential products, services and process improvements
- Scoping studies and prototype development for individual enterprises
- Projects aiming to increase demand in individual enterprises for research and innovation and adapt business processes that encourage more internal innovation practices.
- Investments in individual enterprise capacity to develop full product development and market research
Support for research collaboration, such as links between enterprises and further education and collaborative projects that can have a wider impact on Scottish sectors and industries. Eligible activities include:
- Creation of collaborative research projects that address RTD bottleneck gaps in potential growth sectors
- Pilot projects that test out new approaches to encouraging innovation within mainstreaming activity
- Projects that encourage enterprises with limited experience in working with research partners to develop collaboration
- Promotion of new sustainable RTD and supply networks, particularly for local SMEs, that transfer key research and innovation knowledge
Delivery
It is anticipated that much of the activity under this Priority will be delivered by Scottish Enterprise as a Strategic Delivery Body
Funding Allocations
The Annual Funding Allocation is approximately £9m
The Total Funding Allocation is approximately £63.52m
The Maximum Grant Intervention Rate is 45%
Spatial Targeting
Funding submissions under ERDF Priority 1 are not subject to spatial targeting and therefore applications will be accepted from any part of the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland area.
