What is SCORE? 
The SCORE programme will be accepting applications up until 31 March 2008. After this date the Programme will be discontinued. The SMART: SCOTLAND and General R&D Grant for Business Programmes will continue to provide grant to Scottish SMEs to assist with the research and development of new products and processes. Projects supported through these Programme can include the costs of sub-contract work undertaken by public sector research bodies. Further information on these Programmes is available.
The SCORE programme is designed to support R&D projects jointly undertaken between public sector research bodies (such as Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), Research Institutes, NHS Trusts) and Scottish SMEs. Under this scheme, an SME or group of SMEs with a specific technical problem or need can assign a significant part of the required scientific and technological research to a public sector research body.
Interface provides a central access point for companies, individuals and commercial organisations to Scotland's university research base.
The key objectives for the new programme:
To increase the competitiveness of SMEs through support for product or process development;
To encourage increased co-operation between enterprises and research organisations;
To help effect wealth creation from the science base; and
To provide a framework for collaborative research projects involving SMEs across a wide range of sectors.
Financial support is available at 50% eligible project costs to eligible partnerships in order to undertake an R&D project, up to a maximum grant of £35,000 per project. The research base partner(s) must incur and defray at least 40% of the total eligible costs of the project and it is expected that they will receive 100% of their total eligible costs.
Electronic versions of The Application Forms, Guidance Notes and contact details are available.