SMART: SCOTLAND grants - on hold

We can support feasibility studies that help to show your idea could work in the real world.

Your business will need to own any intellectual property (IP) generated from your project.

We're also looking for projects that fit with our new focus on economic transformation.

Specifically, the SMART grant aims to support our priority areas for economic transformation. These are:

• Creating an internationally competitive energy transition industry in Scotland
• Driving capital investment to deliver a step-change in Scotland’s productivity
• Scaling the impact of Scotland’s innovation strengths into high-growth industries of the future, namely: 
  • Space
  • Industrial biotech 
  • Life sciences (human health)
  • Fintech
  • Critical technologies like quantum, photonics, and semiconductors

You may be eligible if:

• You’re a small or medium-sized business, university spin-out or an individual
• You’re based, or planning to set up, in Scotland
• You have secured, or have a clear line of sight to private match funding for the project
• Your project represents an advance in technological innovation for the UK industry or sector concerned
• There are technical risks and challenges associated with defining and developing the technology
• You own, or have rights to use, the intellectual property required to undertake the project
• You’ll own all intellectual property developed during the project
• You have the necessary management and technical expertise and resources (either in-house or brought-in) to make the project a success
• Both the project and the business are financially viable
• Financial assistance from SMART: SCOTLAND is essential for the project to go ahead

If you would benefit from broader support to develop an innovation strategy, or to help your businesses achieve its growth ambitions, read more about our innovation support.

Fair work and net zero criteria

All companies which are awarded SMART: SCOTLAND grant funding need to meet the Scottish Government’s approach to Fair Work and net zero. This will include:

• Appropriate channels for effective voice, such as trade union recognition
• Payment of the Real Living Wage to all employees over the age of 16, including apprentices 
• Investment in workforce development
• No inappropriate use of zero hours contracts
• Take action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace
• Offer flexible and family friendly working practices for all workers from day one of employment
• Oppose the use of fire and rehire practice
• A credible plan in place to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045 at the latest

Read Real Living Wage guidance from the Living Wage Foundationopens in a new window 

We can support up to 70% of the eligible costs for a small enterprise and up to 60% of the eligible costs for a medium enterprise.

Studies must last between 6 and 18 months, and the maximum grant is £100,000.

Feasibility is paid with a third of the grant in an upfront instalment and the rest is quarterly in arrears.

No. Many inventions are protected by patent, but this is not the only way to protect intellectual property (IP). Our assessment process does, however, include a patent search to determine the level of innovation and identify any prior art.

While patent protection isn't essential, it is essential that you demonstrate that you will own all IP generated through the project. You'll also need to tell us of how you will protect that IP.

Need help with IP? Contact our intellectual assets team 

No. SMART: SCOTLAND accepts new applications all year round.