• Research Staff Costs
• Direct Consumables for Research
• Software Required for Research
• Travel Costs
• Equipment for Research
• Miscellaneous (not exceeding 5% of total cost)

• Capital Costs
• Core funding or overheads for institutions
• Endowments
• A shortfall resulting from a withdrawal of or deficiency
• Sites, buildings or other capital expenditure
• Tution Fees, Registration Fees, VISA Fees, Travel, Indirect Fuel costs of Research Staff
• Inflation
• Recruitment Costs
• Pensions

And, the others not covered in eligible costs.

The fast-moving industry of animation, games, and apps requires research and development which is vital for staying ahead of the competition and incorporating technological breakthroughs.

• Creating or developing a new process or animation, game, or app
• Developing new special effects, complex algorithms, or software
• Producing interactive products with multiple operating systems
• Improving correct systems, products, or processes
• Overcoming technological uncertainties at different stages of development
• Incorporating multiple languages into products
• Developing products that are adaptable for different devices

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the information and communication sector, with the computer science sector growing rapidly. AI is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the information), reasoning (using rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions) and self-correction.

Machine learning is a type of AI that provides computers with the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. It focuses on the development of computer programs that can teach themselves to grow and change when exposed to new data.

By way of example, an AI project in R&D could be the development of the algorithms, data processing, and storage technology involved in any of the following:

• Training computers to recognise human faces.
• Candidate matching in recruitment – sourcing, screening, and onboarding.
• Chatbots and automated conversation tools on websites.
• Deploying automatic advertising tailored to specific individuals.
• Analysis of medical images for early detection of diseases.

The aviation and marine sectors constantly carry out research and development work to stay ahead of competitors and exploit the latest advanced technologies.

• Creating or developing new vehicles, navigation systems, or processes
• Adapting to changes in legislation or industry requirements
• Developing or creating new components or composite materials
• Trialing and developing systems to perhaps improve performance, cost-efficiency, or methodology
• Improving carbon footprint by developing products and processes that are more efficient and reduce wastage

Advancements in technology and research & development have enabled the adhesive, sealants, chemicals, and paints industries to progress. New materials and legislative requirements have forced companies in this field to carry out R&D activities.

• Developing or creating new products or processes
• Improving the quality of a product for the quicker application, reducing laboring time
• Meeting new legislative requirements
• Developing products that are cost-effective and meet customer demands
• Responding to market demands such as removing/reducing toxic chemicals
• Reducing carbon footprint and developing processes and products to become more energy efficient and reduce wastage

Research and development is important for the cosmetics and personal care industries where consumer health and safety is a priority in this highly regulated sector.

• Creating or developing new products or processes
• Testing products in line with health and safety regulations and strict local Government legislation
• Developing complex formulae for products or mixing ingredients that have not been combined before
• Sourcing new ingredients
• Improving cost efficiency and quality of products
• Reducing carbon footprint and developing processes and products to become more energy efficient and reduce wastage

Bespoke projects, new building techniques, and the introduction of environmentally friendly materials make research and development activities increasingly important in the property and construction industries.

• Bespoke solutions to a building project
• New building techniques
• Trial and error for new materials that were previously untested in a construction environment
• Improving properties through energy efficiency, fire safety, plumbing, and more
• Overcoming safety standards and industry regulations
• Developing new and innovative approaches to property and construction buildings

Government targets have encouraged research and development in this area, including harnessing energy through solar panels, wind turbines, and wave / tidal power systems.

• Produce products more cost-efficiently with high safety standards
• Overcoming issues such as weather interference and environmental concerns
• Building prototypes for trial and error purposes
• Achieve scientific or technological breakthroughs
• Developing and maintaining complex structures such as wind turbines in changing weather conditions
• Improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions

The farming and agricultural sectors are constantly forced to evolve to survive in this industry. ASDF’s MRF can help to sustain this innovation.

• Reducing energy use and becoming more environmentally-friendly
• Developing new types of crop varieties/breeds
• Optimizing crops to improve quality and resistance to environmental threats
• Improving machinery & harvesting processes to retain high-quality produce
• Introducing bespoke software/hardware to automate or streamline operations
• Diversifying into untried areas, such as packaging, alternative produce, etc.

Research and development is used regularly across the food and drink sector progress through responding to consumer trends, dietary requirements, and changes in safety and hygiene standards. This could apply to both human and pet consumables.

• Developing new products or processes for manufacturing or growing food
• Testing products to meet safety requirements and hygiene requirements
• Improving efficiency and production methods to combat competition from overseas
• Developing innovative food and drink packaging that protects the products
• Producing products that aim to enhance consumer health, such as improving the immune system
• Improving energy efficiency and waste management

Research & development is vital in the manufacturing and engineering sector to compete in a challenging market – MRF can make your contributions go further.

• Creating or developing new products or processes
• Adapting to changes in legislation or industry requirements, including energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions
• Developing a new & innovative approach to manufacturing, engineering, and foundries systems
• Bespoke solutions
• Manufacturing prototypes, pilot runs & testing
• Developing or creating new composite materials
• Trialing and developing systems to perhaps improve performance, cost-efficiency, or methodology

The pharmaceutical and medical industries use research and development every day to produce new products and push scientific boundaries.

• Creating or developing new products
• Adapting to changes in legislation or industry requirements, including energy efficiency
• Testing and maintaining products in line with strict health and safety guidelines and UK legislation
• Adapting equipment or processes for new types of research
• Trialing chemicals/materials used in production
• Overcoming uncertainties such as drug storage, temperature conditions, and other external factors
• Develop new products and push scientific boundaries

Research and development is becoming increasingly important in the printing and packaging sectors. As companies need to drive down costs, packaging and printing businesses are constantly striving to create cost-efficient products and improve quality.

• Producing prototypes and visuals for customers
• Developing cost-efficient processes and products to satisfy client demands whilst retaining/improving quality
• Testing environmentally-friendly processes and recycled paper for color matching and stability
• Implementing new software and methodology
• Creating bespoke solutions
• Making improvements in energy efficiency and waste management

Turning big rocks into little rocks to sell may seem a straightforward process. The owner or operator of an aggregate production operation knows this couldn’t be further from reality. Success in the mining and quarrying sector thrives on research and development (R&D). It often hinges on the result of substantial trial and error.

To eliminate this uncertainty, the R&D process is highly required by the team members in a perpetual trial-and-error process.

A large part of today’s software world depends on robots – automated machines that move around pre-defined paths under computer control. The development of robotics has been a major technological advance that relies heavily on R&D activities from many different industries.

Robotics & Artificial intelligence is an important grey area where a lot of innovation and technology advancements are happening every hour.

• Training computers to recognize human faces.
• Candidate matching in recruitment – sourcing, screening, and onboarding.
• Chatbots and automated conversation tools on websites.
• Deploying automatic advertising tailored to specific individuals.
• Analysis of medical images for early detection of diseases.

Research and development is vital for these fast-moving industries where new technologies must be incorporated into current products.

• Updating existing products with new technologies
• Improving cost efficiency and quality of products
• Bespoke solutions
• Developing innovative features or processes that are not currently available on the market
• Developing innovative features or processes that are not currently available on the market
• Reducing carbon footprint and developing processes and products to become more energy efficient and reduce wastage

Technology is advancing rapidly in the twenty-first century and research & development is essential to stay ahead of competitors in the software development, IT, and communications sectors.

• Creating or developing new algorithms or software
• Overcoming technical issues such as compatibility, stability, scalability, and more
• Reverse engineering to access and update systems
• Bespoke projects using technologically innovative solutions
• Responding to changes and updates in software, IT, and communication systems
• Making improvements in cyber security and data security

With global competition and pressure to keep costs low, the clothing, textiles & fabrics industry champions research & development to design and produce creative, good-quality products.

• Creating or developing new textiles, fabrics, materials, or production processes
• Trialing and developing methods of producing clothing
• Altering an existing fabric for a new purpose
• Developing clothing, textiles or fabrics that respond to extreme temperatures
• Adapting to changes in legislation or industry requirements for protective clothing
• Experimenting with material combinations never used in the industry before
• Responding to quality and other demands from the fashion industry