DARD Research Challenge Fund (RCF)
The DARD Research Challenge Fund (RCF) is a key element of the DARD Evidence and Innovation Strategy. It gives small and medium sized businesses from the agri-food and other rural sectors an opportunity to get help with research. This tranche of the Fund is worth £800,000 and aims to encourage industry-led consortia to get involved in research projects, by providing grant of up to 50% assistance with research funding.
During the first tranche of the RCF, we awarded grants of almost £500k for a broad range of research projects. Details of the successful projects are available to download by following the link below.
Over the summer, we offered RCF participants the opportunity to comment on the scheme and suggest improvements. Following this short review, we have made various changes to the scheme, including increasing the application window and simplifying scheme documents.
The second tranche of the RCF is open for applications from 27 October 2011 and closes on 04 January 2012 at 5.00pm.
We held an information briefing on the application process on 11 November 2011. The presentation slides and a summary of questions and answers are available at the link below.
Copies of the application form and explanatory booklet are available to download by following the links below or writing to:
The Research Challenge Fund Team
Room 359, Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Ballymiscaw
Belfast
BT4 3SB
Tel: 028 9052 5036
Email: rcf@dardni.gov.uk
