The Research Councils support the Government's aim, set out in the Science and Innovation Investment Framework, to create R&D intensive SMEs. In doing so, the Research Councils work with the RDAs, Devolved Administrations, trade associations and Knowledge Transfer Networks to raise awareness among SMEs of the benefits that the research base can offer. This includes organising joint events with RDAs to target regional businesses and using the RDAs to identify new business partners for collaborative research and training activities funded by the Research Councils.
Collaborative research between a business and university funded through Research Councils' responsive mode can be particularly attractive to SMEs as companies are able to choose their level of support and engagement. Other opportunities enable SMEs to become part of consortia through supply chains or through clubs organised by intermediary approaches such as networks and trade associations.
This is similar to the Government's Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), under which at least 2.5 per cent of the value of each Department's annual extramural R&D contracts will be spent with SMEs.