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What are Research and Development Grants?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

Research and development grants are sums of money given by the government to help with the costs of researching and developing new products or services. They may be offered to those individuals or companies that are studying subjects the government finds important and beneficial. These may include industries like health care or renewable energy.

In order for companies and organizations to properly assess the needs of consumers and citizens within a specific area, demographic, or income level; research and development teams must use surveys, panels, and other techniques. By discovering what people want or need, these companies can create products that best meet those desires. When the government gives research and development grants to these companies or organizations, they are better able to manage the costs of creating new and better products.

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Most times, the government awards research and development grants to companies that are developing products important for the growth of the nation as a whole. Health care, for example, is one industry that is beneficial to all citizens rather than just a select few. Renewable energy is another type of business that provides services that are necessary for continued growth in many areas.

To get one of the research and development grants awarded each year, companies must complete a grant proposal. This is an applications of sorts, and is written to demonstrate why a particular company or project deserves to receive government grants. A limited number of grants may be offered each year, so it is vitally important to provide accurate and compelling information about what a company is doing in their field to warrant funding.

Non-profit organizations may also obtain research and development grants to discover how many citizens may have a need for particular program they would like to offer. AIDS patients, for example, may be counted in a particular area to determine if a clinic tailored for this need would be necessary or feasible to accomplish. Studies may also determine how many citizens in the area would make donations for such a cause to find out how well fundraisers would do once the clinic is open.

Professional grant writers may be hired to handle the proposal, because they are specially trained in the proper formatting for this type of document as well as in writing words that are both informative and compelling. This can greatly enhance a company’s chances of receiving a grant, and the cost is generally reasonable when compared to the amount of money at stake. Grant writers can be found through many public relations firms or by doing an Internet search for freelance grant writers.

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