EEDA's Regional Funding Support Service

What is it?

The funding support service is designed to help SMEs understand, and fully appreciate, the benefits of applying for European or national R&D funding to develop and support their business growth potential. Through a dedicated team of innovation and grant funding specialists, the service is able to help SMEs in the East of England to:
  • Identify the most appropriate R&D and innovation opportunities;
  • Align strategic drivers and business rationale to R&D opportunities;
  • Participate in projects that add real value to your business;
  • Shape funding applications to maximise impact and exploitation potential;
  • Find regional partners and consortia for first-time ‘players’;
  • Understand the rules and regulations of regional, national and European R&D programmes.
How it works

Up to 3-days of dedicated support is offered to SMEs seeking to participate in European or national R&D or innovation-led projects. This support is free to all SMEs in the East of England (EEDA region) and will
  • Priovide knowledge and contacts to ensure opportunities are maximised;
  • Provide guidance and mentoring to strengthen proposals;
  • Encourage participation in national and European R&D and innovation projects;
  • Help to foster a climate of ‘R&D & innovation’ in SMEs new to funding programmes;
  • Run ‘Information Days’ to bring ‘players’, both experienced and first-timers, together and to share news of forthcoming grant funding opportunities as programmes evolve;
  • Link with other regional initiatives such as the Enterprise Europe Network or ‘Understanding Finance for Business’ to ensure no opportunities are missed;
  • Remain independent and impartial at all times.

Next steps

The service operates from St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge.
For free, and impartial, support please contact the EU and Innovation Funding Support Helpline on 01355 272 345. All discussions regarding potential funding opportunities are carried out in strictest confidence.
Alternatively, you can contact the team by e-mail fundingsupport@tuvnel.com for further details on the support available and how they can help your business identify suitable funding schemes to enhance your R&D and innovation potential.