Project Conditions

If you have any questions regarding eligibility please refer to the FAQs section or contact the Innovation Voucher Advice Centre.

The Following terms and conditions apply:

Eligibility

All small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the West Midlands area are eligible to apply for an Innovation Voucher. By SME we refer to organisations that are registered companies, employ between 1- 250 employees and have an annual turnover of less than €50 million or an annual Balance Sheet total not exceeding €40 million.

Source:http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cirdmanual/CIRD91400.htm

Ineligible Activities

The Innovation Voucher may not be used to cover the costs of:

  • Achieving compliance with statutory regulations or legislation
  • Intellectual property protection
  • Standard training courses
  • Software purchases
  • Equipment purchases
  • Aid that would promote / subsidise the cost of exports
  • Internships for students of knowledge providers
  • Design and production of advertising materials
  • Sales and marketing activities -  this includes standard website design, development and search optimisation (the only exception would be the exploitation of new web technology for the region and/ or industry)
  • Advertising and promotional activities e.g. design of posters, leaflets etc.
  • Accreditations
  • Capital items
  • Travel costs
  • Continuation and existing projects with the knowledge providers 
  • Legal advice

Innovation Vouchers are not available to companies from the retail, agriculture, charity and social enterprise sectors due to European Union funding resctrictions.

We reserve the right to exclude applications subject to eligibility criteria.

Priority areas

Priority will be given to applicants from the following sectors, or who's innovation is related to these sectors:

  • Health and Medical Technologies
  • Environmental/Energy
  • New Materials
  • Digital Media
  • Transport

Priority will be given to those companies who have not previously collaborated with any of the regions universities in the last 3 years. SMEs are allowed to win a maximum of 2 vouchers, as long as the project is a new innovation and they will be working with a different department or University.

Deadlines

In each round of vouchers specific deadlines by which the innovation needs to be completed will be set. Details regarding these will be provided on the application form and within information we send to the winning SMEs. We ask that SMEs keep in regular contact with the Advice Centre to ensure all deadlines are met, failure to meet these could result in the voucher being withdrawn and the SME being liable to pay for support undertaken during the voucher period.

Innovation vouchers are part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the project could result in the claw back of the value of the voucher.

Liability

In applying for a voucher the applicant agrees that any liability of Aston University and the University fulfilling the voucher (other than in respect of death or personal injury) either in relation to the procedures for awarding and allocating the vouchers or servicing the same, shall be limited to the value of the voucher.

Innovation Vouchers are awarded to the named SME on the application form, should the SME go into administration the voucher will become null and void, and is non transferable.

State Aid Criteria

The State Aid basis for the Innovation Voucher Scheme is the ‘de minimus rule'.  State Aid website address http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/businesslaw/state-aid/index.html

Please see our FAQs page for further information.

Data Protection

The Innovation Voucher Scheme is subject to the terms and conditions set out by the Data Protection Act 1998.The Data Protection Act puts obligations on users of personal information and lays down principles for its use.  One principle states that the information has to be processed fairly and lawfully.  This means you are entitled to know how we intend to use any information you provide.  You can then decide whether to proceed with your application and to give your information to us.

Business Link Consultation

All voucher winners are required to have a free consultation with Business Link under the requirements of Solutions for Business. The free consultation is also available for companies who do not win a voucher. The consultation offers free advice and information about business support available within the region.

If you would like to apply for an Innovation Voucher please use the online application form. Please note, the application form will only be available during specific rounds of funding. The website will be open to applications for the next round of vouchers at 10am on 7 April 2010 until 4pm on 6 May 2010.

If you have any problems completing the application form please contact the Innovation Voucher Advice Centre 0121 204 3883 or e-mail enquiries@innovationvouchers-wm.com