Pre start-ups, start-ups, and small and medium-sized businesses, from all sectors, may apply to the Technology Strategy Board for three types of grant :
– Proof of market grant
– Proof of concept grant
– Development of prototype grant
While universities may not apply directly, they may act as a sub-contractor to an applicant. Consequently this is a further source of funding for business/university collaborations.
The purpose of these awards is to assist businesses engage in research & development projects in the strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology, from which successful new products, processes and services can emerge.
The maximum grants vary between £25k and £250K. The Government will fund up to 60% of the project costs.
For an overview of the SMART programme click here:
For more detail click here:











Register now to attend the 17th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference – Wednesday 3 December 2025
Portrait Concert featuring BU academic at L’Espace du Son Festival 2025, Brussels
From Clinical Applications to Neuro-Inspired Computation
ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Application Deadline Friday 12 December
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 Call
ERC Advanced Grant 2025 Webinar
Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 Published
Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programme pre-Published
Update on UKRO services
European research project exploring use of ‘virtual twins’ to better manage metabolic associated fatty liver disease