When applying for funding from us you will invariably have some questions. Hopefully the frequently asked questions given below will assist.
What type of funding can I apply for?
Is there a minimum amount of funding I can apply for?
How can I apply?
Where can I deliver the project?
What is the Regional Economic Strategy (RES)?
Where can I get a copy of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES)?
What projects might be suitable for consideration for funding?
What are outputs?
How do I know if my organisation is eligible to apply?
What type of organisations can apply for grant funding?
How are applications assessed?
Where can I find information on State Aid Compliance?
If I am awarded funding what details will be contained within the contract?
How will I receive my money?
What is ERDF?
How can I apply for ERDF?
What type of funding can I apply for?
Each commissioning call or IAGF will differ and will publish the specific rules relating to the call being advertised. They could be for Capital, Revenue or a combination of both. Capital expenditure relates to grant funding utilised by the recipient to:
- Fund any expenditure upon land and buildings (including any interest in land, and leasehold buildings)
- Acquire items of equipment and other movable and immovable assets costing £1,000 or more, which on the date of purchase had a useful life of more than one year
- Undertake feasibility work or other such studies that are directly related to the development of a capital project.
All other types of expenditure will be regarded as Revenue expenditure.
Is there a minimum amount of funding I can apply for?
Ideally, applications should be requesting sums in excess of £25,000. Amounts available will depend on each Invitation to Grant Funding (IAGF) or commissioning call.
How can I apply?
An Invitation to Apply for Grant Funding (IAGF) route is a process to identify and then deliver projects in Nottinghamshire which support the strategic priorities stated in the advertisement.
An IAGF is an open and competitive opportunity to identify projects requiring grant funding and which meet specific published criteria.
An IAGF may start with an Expression of Interest (known as an EOI). If successful you will then be required to complete a full buds application form. This will be within a set timetable, typically four weeks from notification of success for EOI.
Where can I deliver the project?
Grant funding can be used in the seven local authority districts of Nottinghamshire namely:
- Ashfield
- Bassetlaw
- Broxtowe
- Gedling
- Mansfield
- Newark and Sherwood
- Rushcliffe.
What is the Regional Economic Strategy RES?
The Regional Economic Strategy 2006-2020 (RES) published by emda, sets out the strategic objectives of the east Midlands and should be considered a guide as to the sub-regional priorities which grant funding aims to support. In particular:
- Raising productivity
- Ensuring sustainability
- Achieving equality.
Where can I get a copy of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES)?
A copy of the Regional Economic Strategy 2006-2020 (RES), can be obtained from www.emda.org.uk/res
What projects might be suitable for consideration for funding?
Projects that can demonstrate:
- strategic fit to the Sub-regional Investment Plan 201013 [PDF 360KB]
- need / demand within the Nottinghamshire sub-region
- a robust plan for delivery of the project within the Nottinghamshire sub-region
- value for money
- a demonstrable costed sustainability strategy in the application for the project seeking funding
- Deliver outputs from the emda core framework [PDF 301KB]
With the impacts of the recession being felt throughout the sub-region, the emphasis of future funding is likely to be for projects that will create and safeguard jobs.
What are outputs?
The County Council will contract with grant receipients for the project to deliver outputs. These are a measure of the project activities directly linked to the project objectives, for example to create new jobs.
It is a requirement of any grant funding that targets are set in the project contract based on the information provided at application stage. The applicant will then monitor and report on the progress of their project against these outputs.
Current definitions, including required evidence and details of eligibility are included in the emda Output Framework 2009/10 [PDF 301KB] definitions guidance.
How do I know if my organisation is eligible to apply?
Applications will not be considered from organisations for projects where work has started before an application has been submitted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that additionality will be provided through the provision of grant monies.
What type of organisations can apply for grant funding?
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Large Enterprises, Community and Voluntary organisations, Social Enterprises and Public Sector Organisations. Definitions for grant funding under these titles can be found in organisational size definitions [PDF 51KB] You may also find it useful to refer to the section on State Aid.
How are applications assessed?
All applications are considered on the basis of assessed fit to the commissioning parameters. Thnere are also limits to the percentage total costs of a project that Single Programme funding can be applied for called an intervention rate. If you would like more information please view the intervention rates overview table [PDF 56KB]
Where can I find information on State Aid Compliance?
General information on State Aid is available from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/business-law/state-aid/advice-on-state-aid
BIS issued State Aid - A Beginner's Guide in June 2010 [PDF 53KB]
Information about the technical aspects of State Aid can be obtained by contacting the State Aid Policy Unit at the DTI (SAPU). The contacts are:
SAPU tel: 020 7215 5000
DTI e-mail: dti.enquiries@dti.gsi.gov.uk
If I am awarded funding what details will be contained within the contract?
A specimen contract can be found in the document library. As every contract is individual to each particular project, certain aspects of the contract will be amended or may include the addition of specific clauses.
How will I receive my money?
Funds are paid either quarterly or monthly (dependent on the term agreed when a contract is issued) in arrears against evidenced defrayed expenditure.
What is ERDF?
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is grant from Europe, which aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development. In the East Midlands, the local ERDF programme runs from 2007 - 2013. It is split into two parts.
Priority Axis 1 can support projects anywhere in the East Midlands to do with innovation and resource efficiency. Activities which can be funded include those which will increase the rate of innovation, enabling businesses to develop and exploit new products, processes, technologies, services and markets.
Priority Axis 2 is spatially targeted on 12 disadvantaged district areas, three of which are in Nottinghamshire - the district areas of Ashfield, Bassetlaw and Mansfield. Priority Axis 2 funding aims to support the sustainable economic development of the target areas. Activities that can be funded are those which will result in job growth, support the creation and survival of businesses, help connect people to employment opportunities, and improve the physical environment of the target areas, where this can also be shown to have a demonstrable economic impact.
How can I apply for ERDF?
Priority Axis 1 is regionally managed by emda. There are no calls for applications currently open, but further information is available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/regeneration/regenerationfunding/europeanregionaldevelopment/eastmidlands/
Priority Axis 2 has a two stage application process, the first of which is at a local level.
In Nottinghamshire, all the ERDF funds up to the end of 2010 have been ring-fenced to project activity. Further allocations for 2011-13 are due to be announced in the autumn of 2010. Further information on how to bid when the annoucement has be made will be available here.
