Policy input: Government (DBERR): Simplifying Business Support c/d 14 Sep 2007

Government wants to simplify the £2.5BN business support in England from around 3000 schemes to no more than 100 by 2010. The Simplifying Business Support consultation outlines and seeks views on the business support government might fund in the future. The majority of the questions posed are of general interest to all businesses. Of specific R&D relevance is that

1. The government is proposing that all business support it offers is in one of six themes, one of which is "Product development", which includes Connection with
   knowledge institutions; Innovation collaborations; Innovation guidance and advice; and, Innovation finance.
   
2. The consultation asks several questions about whether the business support themes are the right themes, whether they adequately covers the key needs of business, and what publicly-funded business support is the highest priority?

Full details, including how to respond, are available at the Simplifying Business Support consultation website. As with all consultations, you do not need to answer all the questions listed when responding.

Funding: RCUK Business Plan Competition, cd 14 Sep 2007

The Research Councils UK (RCUK) Business Plan Competition provides researchers who have ideas with commercial potential the skills, knowledge and support needed to develop a first-rate business plan. This is provided through expert trainers, coaches and mentors.

The competition is open to researchers based in UK Higher Education Institutions or Public Sector Research Establishments that are eligible to hold Research Council grants from across the whole spectrum of academic research within the remit of the seven Research Councils – from the arts and biosciences, to environmental physical and social sciences to technology.

Postgraduates, postdocs and academic staff who have a business idea arising from research and want to develop this further are encouraged to participate. Prizes of up to £25,000 will be awarded to the business plans judged to have the best potential to help turn business ideas into reality. Closing date 14 September 2007.