Smart Flexible Innovation Support (SMART FIS)

Key Features

The Welsh Government is investing £30 million in new programmes that will help Welsh organisations develop and embed new innovative products and services to help improve people’s lives, grow the economy and address the climate and nature emergency.

Programme:     The Welsh Government

Award:     Share of up to £30 million

Opens: 15th Jun 2023

Closes: 9th Nov 2024

Overview

The Welsh Government is building a stronger, fairer, greener country, with an economy based on fair work, sustainability and the sectors of the future.

It supports demand-driven Research, Development and Innovation and effective collaborations that deliver real benefits for people and the environment.

The Welsh Government helps businesses, the third sector, public sector bodies and research organisations, to innovate and create new products and services, increasing commercialisation, improving skills and ensuring Wales remains competitive and strives towards carbon-free in the future.

SMART FIS helps you improve people’s lives by driving cutting-edge research and innovation. Its single aim is to help Welsh organisations achieve “Innovation Excellence” by developing Innovation Plans alongside a team of specialists who provide expertise, consultants and funding.

Scope

SMART FIS is a new approach to funding RD&I.  SMART FIS is not restricted to businesses and research organisations.  It is open to any organisation wishing to engage in research, development and innovation (RD&I), including the third sector, local authorities and health boards.

For a new organisation this might mean accessing technology to get a new idea off the ground; for a developing one, it could be help with a project which you know has potential; and for an established organisation it might be about specialist know-how to give you an international edge by opening up new markets.

SMART FIS is delivered by a team of specialist engineers, scientists, industrialists and intellectual property experts, helping Welsh organisations achieve “Innovation Excellence”.

This increasingly means a focus on decarbonisation and the circular economy as part of Welsh Government’s commitment to a better world.

The scheme is about three things:

1.    Expertise – we work in Wales but have access to a UK-wide network of specialists.

2.    Money – funding can be key, so we can help you access finance.

3.    Support – specialist advice from an approved framework of advisors.

Eligibility

It is open to any organisation wishing to engage in research,  development and innovation (RD&I), including businesses, the third sector, public sector bodies, academic institutions and research organisations.

Our assessment focuses on three key areas;

  • Level of Innovation and Benefits to the Organisation or Collaboration
  • Benefits to Wales
  • Viability/ Likelihood of success

Funding Costs

Dependent on organisation and type of project. An example for businesses:

  • Typical value of funding £100k per year for 2 years
  • Intervention rate –50%

Interested in applying for this competition?

Book an appointment to speak to one of our advisors to discuss your eligibility to apply for this Grant Funding opportunity.