Small R&D Innovation Support Grants: FOI release (reference 4837)

4 September 2020

21 September 2020

Is it possible to know what grants were awarded from between 1st Jan 2020 until now: in particular small R&D, smart R&D or innovation support grants?

Following further email correspondence, on the 10th of September you suggested narrowing the scope of your request to Small R&D and Innovation Support, detailing:

• Applicant Company Name
• Grant type
• Grant award
• Project title
• Project costs
• Project duration

A table detailing small R&D and Innovation Support grants is provided to you now at Appendix A. Please note that following a review of the information, we have not provided the project titles as these contain commercially sensitive information. This information has been withheld under section 33(1)(b) - commercial interests. This section allows information to be withheld where its disclosure under the Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person (including, without prejudice to that generality, a Scottish public authority). The exemption applies in this case to the project titles, where they provide an insight or description of the project or innovation. The public interest test and harm test are provided below.

As part of our response we wish to provide you with additional information, hence we would advise that since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, our immediate focus has been working with the Scottish Government and our partners at Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise to address the significant economic impact of COVID-19.

Our priority, as mandated by the Scottish Government, continues to be providing essential coronavirus-related financial support to business through tailor-made schemes such as the Hotel Recovery Programme and the Early Stage Growth Challenge Fund.

In past months we have also provided £145 million to more than 3,500 businesses through support mechanisms such as the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund and the Creative, Tourism & Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund opens in a new window : 

Section 33(1)(b) - commercial interests

This section allows information to be withheld where its disclosure under the Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person (including, without prejudice to that generality, a Scottish public authority). Release of project titles information would have the result of causing real, significant and substantial prejudice to the parties involved.

Harm test – substantial prejudice

Release of the information would reveal aspects of the companies' current position and future plans, which would have a negative commercial impact. This is particularly relevant to innovation projects and research & development initiatives, as public knowledge of their existence would remove any advantage that could be sought from bringing these innovations to a competitive marketplace. In our view, disclosure of the information would cause the company’s real, significant and substantial prejudice.

The public interest test

We recognise that there is a public interest in decision-making processes within public authorities being as open and transparent as is possible. We also recognise that making certain information available can increase the accountability of public authorities for decisions that are made that may have an impact on the wider public, and in particular the expenditure of public money by SE. However, balanced against these considerations, there is also a public interest in ensuring regard is given to the protection of commercial interests which would be diminished by the release of the requested information. We consider that there is no public interest or benefit in releasing information which could have an adverse effect on the commercial interests of third parties. Allowing parties to maintain confidentiality in their commercial positions for prospective commercial transactions is important to support the proper and efficient operation of free markets, which is of serious concern and benefit to the public. As such we consider that the public interest also favours the withholding of this information. On balance, we have concluded that, in respect of the commercially sensitive information requested, the public interest is better served in withholding the information.

Appendix A (PDF, 109 KB)