How We Assess Applications 
How We Assess Applications
It is important that the Advantage Proof of Concept Grant Fund ensures that the scrutiny of applications is robust, transparent and fair. The grant is awarded on a discretionary basis so is selective, however, it is equally important that applicants to the Fund understand what we are looking for and how we assess applications.
Competition for grants is fierce, however, the information below should help you to maximise your chances of success.
Fund Criteria
The Fund can only consider applicants based in the West Midlands or with a significant presence here. Virtual offices will not be considered.
Applicants must conform to the European definition of a Small and Medium Enterprise (click here to read the SME definition as defined by the European Commission) or be a university located in the West Midlands.
The Fund operates under De Minimis regulations therefore awarded grants must not take the amount of public support received by the applicant above €200,000 in a three year period.
In addition to this, Outline Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Level of innovation;
- Value for money;
- Project suitability under our eligibility criteria.
Application Assessment
If you are successful in your Outline Application, we will request a Full Application from you, which will be considered against a broader range of considerations, including:
- Level of innovation;
- Uniqueness of the technology;
- Readiness of the technology for production;
- Value of the market;
- Anticipated profit margins;
- Intensity of competition in the market;
- Competitive edge of the product or service;
- Ease of access to the market;
- Customer conservatism;
- Commitment of the team;
- Commercial experience of the team;
- Value for money;
- Project impact;
- Relative project risk.
Grant Award Panel
Applications that are of sufficient quality will be passed on to our independent Grant Award Panel, who represent the final step in the award of a grant. The Panel, who meet twice a month to consider up to ten applications per sitting, can decide to award a grant, reject an application or defer an application pending further information from the applicant.
We will always provide feedback from the Panel and those applicants awarded grants will be invited to meet with the Fund Manager to discuss the terms of the offer.
Membership of the Grant Award Panel
Our Grant Award Panels are made up of independent volunteers from across the West Midlands who provide their time and experience not only to assess applications on our behalf but also to provide their expertise and links to enhance projects. Grant Award Panels will typically be made up of 5-8 members drawn from the list below:
| Member | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Chris Dyke | Medilink West Midlands |
| Mike Norris | Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor |
| David Gleaves | Midtech |
| Rachel Nicholson | North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership |
| Everard Mascarenhas, Mark Bowman, Mark Payton, Tim Hazell | The Mercia Seed Technology Fund |
| Steve Grice | Black Country Reinvestment Society |
| Neil Taylor | Edwards Accounting |
| Steve McEwen | Beer and Partners |
| Roy Pulley | Manufacturing Advisory Service |
| David Ashcroft | Cavendish Management |
| Geoff Palmer | Worcestershire County Council |
| Roy Shearing | Warwickshire County Council |
| Steve Smith | Business Link West Midlands |