Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI)

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

The Small Business Research Initiative is designed to increase the success of smaller firms (as well as charities and other independent organisations) in obtaining contracts from Government bodies to conduct research and development.

The R&D procurement programmes of Government Departments and the Research Councils are being opened up to smaller firms. The Government Departments involved will aim to buy at least 2.5% of their R&D requirements from smaller businesses. The Research Councils will move to meet the same targets over time. The target is for £50 million worth of Government research to be bought from smaller firms.

Aims and eligibility requirements

The SBRI aims

  • to strengthen those existing small firms whose businesses are based upon providing R&D - by increasing the size of the market;
  • to encourage other smaller businesses to increase their R&D capabilities and capacity to exploit the new market opportunities;
  • and to create opportunities for starting new technology-based or knowledge-based businesses.

 Businesses must meet certain criteria to participate in the SBRI:

  • they should have fewer than 250 employees;
  • their annual turnover must not be greater than ¬50 Million (about £34 million) or alternatively their balance sheet total should not higher than ¬27 Million (about £29 million);
  • they must be independent (that is, less than 25% of the business is owned by enterprises that do not conform to the other criteria - this rule need not apply to investments that are held by public investment corporations, venture capital companies or other institutional investors provided that they do not exercise control over the business).

Charities, university spin-offs, individuals and groups are eligible to participate if they fulfil the above criteria.

Department of Health research opportunities

Calls for proposals are open to all research providers able to meet the requirements of the brief.  The Department procures research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the NHS.

The Department aims to procure 2.5% of its R&D from small businesses (as defined by the SBRI eligibility requirements). Other R&D monies support research infrastructure and capacity building in the NHS.

Links to other sites of interest

  • Central SBRI website
  • The HTD programme supports collaborative research projects on new and improved health technology devices
  • A Knowledge Transfer Partnership can help a business to develop and grow by accessing the wealth of knowledge and expertise in the UK's universities, colleges and research organisations.

Access keys