Life sciences growth fund

What is it?

The Life Sciences Growth Fund supports capital investments from the life sciences sector (including new inward investors) to establish or grow activities within the Highlands and Islands.

It is a non-repayable grant of up to £75,000 that will cover up to 50% of the total cost of a project. In exceptional cases the upper limit of the grant may be increased. The minimum grant is £25,000.

What can it be used for?

The grant is available to match-fund capital investment that allows a life sciences enterprise operating within the Highlands and Islands to grow. Growth plans may include capital investment required to expand into new markets or with new products/service/processes, scale-up and support for export from the region.

Potential projects may include:

• Establish a new life sciences enterprise or operational site.
• Expand an existing life sciences enterprise or operation site.
• Develop new life science product, service or process.
• Deliver new commercial life sciences product, service or process.

Categories of capital investment can be considered including equipment, fixtures, fittings and furniture, IT installation etc. The fund can also be used toward the construction, adaptation or upgrade of premises or other business infrastructure.

The following items will not be eligible - Any type of motor vehicle or trailer (including mobile homes and caravans). The investment must remain within the Highlands and Islands area.

Who is it for?

Any life sciences enterprise looking to grow their commercial activity within the Highlands and Islands region.

The life sciences sector includes but is not limited to:

• Human and animal health, health-tech, diagnostics, wellbeing and health-service innovations, products and services.
• Commercial clinical research, non-clinical research 
• AAA – Animal-health, Agri-tech & Aquaculture
• Biotech including industrial biotech, biorefining, growing of existing and new value chains, using biomass/feedstocks from various industries (including food and drink, marine, agriculture, forestry, waste) to create value-added and sustainable products
• Blue economy and marine-environment sub-sectors
• One-health including public-health, water, ecosystems, ecology, environmental health and planetary-health.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible if: 

• Your enterprise is involved in commercial activity that relates to the life sciences sectors 
• Your grant application relates directly to capital investment in growth plans taking place in the Highlands and Islands region
• You can match-funding for the capital investment proposed
• You can provide a business plan for the proposed investment.

This fund is available to enterprises of any size however larger enterprises may be required to provide a higher amount of match-funding.

This fund is not open to public sector organisations.

How do I find out more and apply?

To make an enquiry about this service, please complete our short form and an adviser will be in touch to discuss your needs.