handling, warehousing, distribution.

Assistance is not available for:

• regular or ongoing operations management work
• projects which relate to the purchasing or testing of plant, equipment or products
• projects aimed at introducing a new product or technique
• staff training.

7 Research and Development Management

Specialist assistance is available to help applicants develop an overall research and development strategy. This requires a clear definition of objectives, and attention to performance, timing, costs and personnel; and may contribute to:

• concept evaluation and screening
• project planning and monitoring
• the transfer of new technology into operation
• selecting a project to carry through to commercial production.

Assistance is not available for carrying out the research and development itself.

8 Human Resource Management

Human resource management assists the applicant to be a good employer and ensure productivity through the development of strategies and programmes which will:

• employ the right people
• pay them appropriately
• train and develop them
• ensure productivity.

Assistance will not be provided for "one-off" activities, such as staff training, recruitment, or negotiating pay rates.

9 Financial and Information Systems

This assists the applicant to develop a financial and information systems strategy where there is not one in place, or review an existing strategy. This involves determining information requirements and improving the use of information in the company’s decision-making processes. It may assist applicants to:

• determine their information requirements
• source information more effectively
• identify appropriate application software.

Assistance is not available for:

• assessment of hardware requirements

• data entry and computer programming

• general accounting work (eg budgeting)

• tax consultancy

• company restructuring or takeovers

• financial services

• legal advice.

What Costs Qualify?

Fees paid to the nominated consultant in respect of the approved project qualify towards the calculation of the grant.

Disbursements (eg accommodation and travel) incurred by the consultant in the course of the work and included in the fees qualify. Other associated costs are not covered.

How Do You Apply For A Grant?

There are two ways of applying for a grant, either:

• by lodging a letter of intent, followed by lodging an application; or
• lodging an application.

Letters of Intent:

The purpose of a letter of intent is to allow applicants sufficient time to gather the necessary information to complete their applications.

Costs incurred by the applicant prior to the date on which their letter of intent is received by the Board will be considered as retrospective ie these costs will not be able to be considered for the grant application. However, lodging a letter of intent is no guarantee that costs incurred from the date the letter is received will be approved. Letters of intent are valid for 90 days. The validity takes effect from the date the letter is received by the Board; no extensions can be made to this validity period.

Both Letter of Intent and Application forms are available from Business Development Boards; Letters of intent and applications can only be accepted if they are made on the Boards’ prescribed forms. Please see page 10 for contact details.

Applications should be made to the Manager of the Business Development Board in your area. The Manager is also available to help complete the application form.

An original of the application form is required in each case, but photocopied or faxed supporting documents are acceptable. Applicants can initially fax their application to the Board but must then send in the original application within seven working days of the date of the faxed copy.

All parts of the application form, Parts A, B, and C, must be completed.

Applications are initially assessed by the Board staff. The staff then present these to the Board for decision.