Boosting R&D

About our R&D support

Research and Development (R&D) is important for business growth. Investing in R&D helps improve productivity, develop new or better products, and boost sales, profit, and competitiveness.

If your company is facing a technical challenge or has a new idea for a product, process, or service that needs extra support, we can help.

Our funding can help with:

Scoping, defining and planning an R&D project
Research or critical investigation aimed at producing new scientific or technical knowledge
Product or process development or improvements
Development of leading edge technology
Increasing business productivity
Linking to a college or university to collaborate on strategically important projects

We also run workshops on issues related to research and development and can signpost you to other sources of advice and assistance.

Who is eligible for R&D support?

This support is available to Invest Northern Ireland customers. The up to 70% support rate is available only to SMEs who have not received a Grant for R&D offer in the previous 3 years and have not exhausted their De Minimis aid limit.

To avail of this support, contact the Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 or talk to your client executive.

About our grant for R&D

Are you a large or small business with a technical challenge or innovative idea? The Invest NI Grant for R&D programme can help bring it to market.

SMEs can currently avail of up to £100,000 of Grant for R&D support at up to 70% of eligible project costs to help client companies ‘Boost R&D’ investment.

Applications for this SME initiative will be appraised on a first come first served basis.

Benefits include:

Expert Advice: Receive support to plan your R&D project and prepare an application
Collaboration (if applicable): Access expertise from businesses, universities, and research institutions, which Invest NI can assist with introductions
Grant funding of eligible costs: Includes Internal labour, materials, IP, equipment, trials, consultancy, subcontracting, plus a 15% overhead on labour costs
HMRC R&D tax credits may also be available for your supported project. Speak to your accountant or tax advisor or visit HMRC’s online information. Combining Invest NI Support with Tax Credits can result in every £1 invested in R&D costing a business just 38p!

This project is part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

About our project definition support

If you are unsure of how an R&D project could work or wondering if the payback is worth the effort, then Invest NI offers support for feasibility studies or project planning. We also have a team of Innovation Advisors to assist you through the process, formulate a viable plan and answer any questions.

Invest NI’s Project Definition support offers up to £100,000 towards the cost of planning and defining a project. It helps to reduce a project’s risks and identify its costs and potential benefits.

We can help you:

Investigate or plan your idea
Develop, build and test a prototype
Experiment and refine your design
Improve / digitally transform processes
Handle intellectual property
Apply for R&D grant funding from other organisations