Supply of ERDF project guidance, eligibility and monitoring support

Innovation 4 Growth (I4G) is a grant-funding scheme developed using the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It supports SMEs in the West of England (Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire) to develop innovative products, technologies, processes and services, by part-financing research and development (R&D) projects. It does this by issuing grants of between £10,000 and £75,000 through a competitive process, funding up to 35% of the overall R&D costs for successful applicants.

UWE Bristol is looking to contract an external expert consultant for one day per fortnight (incorporating physical attendance of (circa 2 hour) bi-weekly operational meetings at its Frenchay Campus) to assist the I4G delivery team in a number of areas relating to project risk and ERDF/State Aid eligibility, compliance and performance. Specifically, they are seeking expertise in/assistance with:

- Initial due diligence processes - working with the University's finance service to evaluate the risk profile of potential ERDF grant funding recipients, contributing expertise in R&D funding and ERDF compliance.

- Monitoring the project progress of confirmed ERDF grant recipients, and evaluating their performance against contracted deliverables (outputs, expenditure and ERDF/State Aid compliance).

- Reporting to the ERDF Managing Authority (the Department for Communities & Local Government) on overall progress, issues, challenges and successes.

- Ensuring general ERDF eligibility and compliance, both in relation to the I4G programme itself, and the grant recipients' projects.

- Ensuring State Aid compliance of both the I4G programme and grant recipients.

Applicants should demonstrate knowledge and experience of regional funding programmes, an understanding of R&D definitions as they apply to the SME community and ERDF eligibility criteria. Please submit an up to date CV, containing suitable examples of previous work (these can be included as separate documents if preferred), along with their suggested day rate.

Innovation4Growth is part of a larger innovation support project that will receive up to £2,000,000 of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is the programme's Managing Authority. Established by the European Union, the ERDF helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects that support innovation, businesses, job creation and local community regeneration. Innovation4Growth run by the University of the West of England, Bristol.