Demonstrate the Potential for Substantial Greenhouse Gas Emission SavingsThere must be a credible mechanism that shows how successfully undertaking your project will lead to direct or indirect reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. There also needs to be an estimate of the scale of the resulting reductions. You will need to provide technical evidence supporting the feasibility of the project that could include:
- Study results or experimental data
- Previous published research
- Independent review by a recognised expert
Innovation
Commercialisation
Project risk and management
Funding eligibility
Project duration
Projects not eligible
Feedback
Is the grant repayable?
Funding appeals
Non-exclusivity and confidentiality
Checklist
InnovationEither the technology being researched/developed or the application of a technology/process must be innovative. The proposal must therefore demonstrate how the work will build on an existing body of work and lead to:
- Material advances when compared to the current 'state of play'
- Technologies that can show advantages over existing/competing options
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Progress on the Path to CommercialisationThe proposal must show how undertaking the work will directly contribute to the progress of the technology towards large scale deployment. This will require that the following need to be demonstrated:
- That there is a clear need or demand for the outputs and as such the results will be acted upon
- An awareness as to whom the results need to be communicated to, and how this will be achieved
- A clear view as to the target market(s)
- That Intellectual Property will be developed during the project and that this will need to be managed, protected and exploited
- That undertaking the work will bring benefit to the UK.
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Project and Risk ManagementThe proposed programme of work needs to be well structured and thought through. Hence issues that must be considered include:
- The project has to have access to the full range of skills and experience required to successfully undertake the work
- The work must be well planned and show what tasks will be undertaken and by whom
- How much each task costs
- That the required match funding is in place
- Relevant risks have been identified and their potential impact on the project understood.
- How thoroughly these risks will be managed
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Funding EligibilityAny business, university, public sector or voluntary organisation may apply for a grant of up to £500k. The maximum proportion of project costs that the Carbon Trust will normally fund is 60%. The exact amount depends on the type of organisation undertaking the project and the nature of the project itself. See Funding Eligibility Guidelines for further information.
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Project DurationThe maximum duration of a Carbon Trust Applied Research grant is 3 years.
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Projects NOT Eligible for Funding
- Duplicate activities - those that are already well supported by the Research Councils and other grant-giving organisations
- Curiosity driven ‘Blue sky’ research
- Demonstrable benefit is outside the EU
- Retrospective - grants will not be payable on any works carried out prior to the date of the contract offer
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Feedback Unfortunately not every proposal is successful and not every idea can receive funding; we endeavour to provide an appropriate level of feedback for each stage of the process:
- Rejection (initial application stage) – we aim to highlight the general areas where proposal can be improved. Where no credible case has been presented against two or more of the above criteria feedback will be minimal.
- Rejection (full proposal stage) - before submitting a full proposal, you will be invited to The Carbon Trust to discuss your application; this should clarify any issues that you may have and improve your chance of success. However if you are not successful, more detailed feedback will be provided
- Reapply - only if you have improved your proposal and are satisfied that you can make a strong case against all of the above criteria.
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When is the Carbon Trust's grant repayable?If capital equipment is purchased as part of the project, when the project ends the residual value of the capital equipment must not be used for commercial purposes. If the equipment is sold, a proportion of the sale proceeds must be used to repay the grant received. This requirement is necessary to comply with EU State Aid legislation. See our standard contract (211 KB pdf) for further information.
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Funding Appeal
Funding is awarded at the sole discretion of the Carbon Trust. All decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. ^ Back to top
Non-Exclusivity and Confidentiality PolicyThe Carbon Trust may award grants to businesses that compete with each other. However, we are always careful to ensure that information disclosed to it in-confidence is treated in accordance with it’s funding contracts.
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Checklist:
Is it a good idea?
- Builds on proof of concept work
- Has a market need – is distinctive
- Is innovative and advances the current 'state of play’
- Can the team actually do it?
- Appropriate mix of expertise and stakeholders
- A workable project plan (realistically priced)
- Defined and reasonable end point
- Awareness of their market and the key players
- Should the Carbon Trust fund it?
- Credible mechanism that indicated potential for substantial carbon savings
- Ability to develop a low-carbon market area in the UK
- Represents good value for money
- The Carbon Trust funding is proven to be additional
- The Carbon Trust funding will make a material difference to the development
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