Subsidised Contract Research Programme

Subsidised Contract Research is available for companies looking to enhance research capabilities and achieve a step change by developing new products, services, or technologies, or by advancing current innovations through access to research expertise and specialist labs.

The programme

Expertise can be provided to carry out a feasibility study, conduct initial proof of concept research in relation to a potential innovation, and/or perform testing/validation.

The research should directly benefit your company and focus on providing a solution. These projects have a pre-determined scope or specification within which our academics will work to deliver the desired solution professionally and confidentially. The work must be conducted within our state-of-the-art facilities by our own staff.

The scheme provides a 50% discount on contract research, up to the value of £10K, offering a £5K subsidy. Projects exceeding the £10K value are also eligible, but no additional funding is available.

Programme timeline
The length of the project will be decided based on the scope and expected outputs of the overall project requirements, and it would run for anywhere between 3 and 9 months.
Would this count as a subsidy?
Yes, the funding provided will be considered as a subsidy and specifically as a Minimum Financial Assistance (MFA) subsidy under the Subsidy Control Act (2022). More information on the Subsidy Control Act including guidelines can be requested.
Please note: Only one subsidised project per company available in this funding round with University of Hertfordshire.
Who is eligible to apply?
Core criteria:
- be a UK registered business, eligible public sector organisation, social enterprise, co-operative, charity or charitable business
- have two or more full time equivalent employees
- have a minimum of £100k turnover or post investment with research and development budget
- must want to innovate either a product, service or methodology with the potential to generate commercial impact
- have not worked with Herts on a successfully funded project before.

Apply now