The county of Kent prides itself on offering a plethora of grants to help small and medium businesses. Yet, if you are to qualify for research and development business grants in Kent, you must go through the proper procedure, as outlined by the Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) program. First, what you propose to do must pass their appraisal criteria.
The grant process requires that whatever it is you are looking to do must have a wider application than just improving you business. Next, there is the issue of intellectual property and patents. You must own the ideas you propose to develop. Then there is the issue of management. Coming up with a great idea is one thing, but having the skills to implement it and carry it forward are quite another. So, for you to get a grant, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the project team abilities to make use of your development. Next is the viability of your idea. For a grant to be made, your idea must make economic sense. The greatest ideas in the world, if they can not make money, are not going to be likely to get business grants in Kent, or anywhere else for that matter. Going along with that are the commercial potential, and the marketability of your idea. Here again, it goes back to the question of just what you are trying to come up with. A great idea that has no market is not really all that great an idea. You could come up with a sensational formula for broccoli flavored chewing gum but who in the world is going to want to buy it? So, do your homework well. Do your market research on your product and your target audience. If you have a strong business plan which offers a realistic appraisal of the business- prospects, you are far more likely to secure business grants in Kent.
In any business venture, there is always risk. So, another factor considered in business grants in Kent is the technical risks associated with your project and the research and development challenges to be overcome. If you are looking at stem cell research to treat Parkinson's disease, there is huge potential, but also great challenges.
Then there is the application process for business grants in Kent. First of all, you will need to submit a summary of what sort of research project you are proposing to do. This is called a pre-application submittal. By doing this you can establish whether or not you meet the criteria for a grant. After that, you make a full application. A variety of websites have the application form. You fill that out along with the financial appendices; yet another form you download off a website. Then you have to submit full technical specifications on the research you want to carry out, and how you plan to develop the results. As these grants are for businesses, you also need to create a business plan to outline the economic viability of your project. Then there is the question of how well your company is doing financially. You will also have to submit a listing of your financial accounts for the previous two years, and then what sort of funding you currently have in place for the research and what funding you propose to line up for it.
All of this may seem like a lot, but once you meet all of the criteria, getting one of the business grants in Kent for your research is entirely possible. So, if you have a great idea, and feel it has the potential to give your company a real boost, see about applying for a grant.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Needing professional advice
By: preetigal | 16-05-2008
I have a mobile pet grooming business and have groomed for 42 years. i would like to open a grooming school and be able to contract with shelters to groom their dogs and cats to make them more adoptable and have less killed;I would like to find a govn't grant or business loan to make this happen. any suggestions?
I would like to know a fax number for the ...
By: JMC | 16-05-2008
I would like to know a fax number for the Washinton Post so I can send a press release.
Bingham Tool Company
By: jasonnjennspires | 15-05-2008
Does anyone know anything about the Bingham company out of cleveland ohio. I have a book I believe to be dated in the 1930s or 40s (catalog #34) from this company and I am looking for information on this company or the book and it's value.
Intelligence
By: sweeppe34 | 14-05-2008
a 50 word description of strongest telligence
How can I incorporate my business?
By: cwnv65 | 14-05-2008
How can I incorporate my business?
Cdsi cert.
By: adt0706 | 10-05-2008
what is a cdsi certification
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Ask an Expert Articles
How Can an Immigration Law Office Help You?
By: Lindsay Wagner | 16/05/2008
What does an Immigration Law Office Do? Perhaps better understanding how the office works, will help you understand how you can be helped effectively.
Business Coaching Tip: Dare to be Present - or What's the Point?
By: Anese Cavanaugh | 13/05/2008
When we are fully present, we experience LIFE. We can see more clearly what has to happen. We can see the truth about the moment. We can see the truth about our impact. We can fully feel our feelings: joy, anger, sadness or excitement. It is in this place that we can better identify, as leaders in our own lives, what needs to happen next.
***how to Avoid Failure by Starting Your Small Business From Home
By: Carol Denbow | 11/05/2008
Nearly 90 percent of people state that at some point in their lives they’ve dreamed of starting their own business, yet few make the initial effort. Often it’s due to lack of funds or personal commitment, or just the fear of failing.
Durables to Disposables - are We Ready for a Phase Change?
By: http://www.fibre2fashion.com | 09/05/2008
The worldwide nonwoven industry has grown steadily at about 7.5% per annum in tonnage in the last decade. While the nonwoven industries growth in North America, Europe and Japan has slowed with maturity, these countries are still growing at 5% per annum.
What is Your Pride Factor
By: Ali R. Rodriguez | 08/05/2008
Connecting your True Sense of Pride to your Passion, will give you the Profits and Lifestyle you deserve.
What are the Odds?
By: Summer Lyndon | 06/05/2008
There are times when you just have to call an expert. This is about Michael Shackleford, the Wizard of Odds. Get to know him and how he became notorious in calculating the odds.
Article 1: Why Why is it of Paramount Importance to Self-employment?
By: Andre Zizi | 03/05/2008
CAUTION: DO NOT BUY OR INVEST IN ANY PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM OR TOOL, UNLESS IT CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH NEUROPSYCHOLOGY SCIENCE FACT.IT MUST OVERCOME THE CURRENT PROBLEMS YOU READ AND HEAR DURING SUCCESS SEMINARS OR BUSINESS COACHING. THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT FULLY REPRESENTATIONAL OF THE CURRENT PROBLEMS.
inadequate instruction
insufficient exposure and practice
Deficient word recognition skills
Deficient memory capacity and functioning language deficiencies
inadequate comprehension
Master System = Wholesale Distributor
By: Gabriel Cuevas | 30/04/2008
A brief look into the world of Master System. Also, look for our monthly newletter called "The Distributor"
Business 
