Tendering for Government Contracts

Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI)

This initiative is designed to:

• encourage and increase the demand for research and development (R&D) from small firms; and
• give small firms the opportunity to show that they have the ability to carry out and deliver high-quality R&D in response to the strategic needs of the Government.

A number of Government Departments are involved in this initiative, and will aim to procure at least 2.5% of their research and development requirements from smaller businesses. The UK Research Councils are also aiming, over time, to reach these targets. The overall target is for £50 million of government research to be bought from smaller businesses by 2004. For more information on this initiative, visit the SBRI information and enquiry website.