SR&ED, grants, or innovation strategy

Support Work in SR&ED – Across Industries

Support work includes activities that help your R&D succeed, even if they aren’t experimental development themselves.
These tasks are recognised under SR&ED when they directly contribute to solving technological or scientific uncertainties.
Here are the main categories with examples across multiple industries:

Engineering – Designing, building, or improving prototypes, machinery, or systems.
Examples:
Food processing: Modifying a pasteurization line to test new heating methods.
Manufacturing: Redesigning a robotic assembly line for precision parts.
Renewable energy: Adjusting a wind turbine prototype for efficiency testing.
Design – Creating technical drawings, schematics, or prototypes to guide experiments.
Examples:
Biotech: CAD models of lab equipment for enzyme testing.
Software: Interface mockups for a new AI application.
Industrial: Blueprints for automated material handling systems.

Operations Research – Optimizing workflows, production processes, or supply chains.
Examples:
Food: Streamlining bakery production to reduce waste.
Manufacturing: Optimizing workflow for faster assembly.
Renewable energy: Planning logistics for solar panel testing.

Mathematical Analysis – Using calculations, models, or simulations to solve technical problems.
Examples:
Biotech: Modeling enzyme reactions in fermentation.
Aerospace: Simulating stress on lightweight aircraft components.
Manufacturing: Predicting loads on industrial machinery.

Computer Programming – Developing software tools or simulations to support experiments.
Examples:
Food: Software to monitor temperature and humidity in drying processes.
Biotech: Programming lab robots for experiments.
Software: Testing new AI algorithms.

Data Collection – Gathering experimental, technical, or environmental data.
Examples:
Food: Measuring pH and nutrient content in new recipes.
Manufacturing: Tracking sensor data from prototype machinery.
Renewable energy: Recording wind or solar performance data.

Testing – Running experiments or trials to validate new products or processes.
Examples:
Food: Testing new packaging materials to extend shelf life.
Biotech: Trialling new drug delivery systems.
Manufacturing: Stress-testing materials for durability.

Psychological Research – Studying human factors, usability, or safety for new products.
Examples:
Food: Observing how consumers interact with new vending machines.
Software: Testing app usability with users.
Manufacturing: Ensuring operator controls are safe.

Materials Research – Developing or testing new materials for performance or sustainability.
Examples:
Food: Biodegradable packaging films.
Manufacturing: Lightweight composite materials.
Renewable energy: New battery materials for storage.

Process Improvement – Experimenting with methods to increase efficiency or reduce environmental impact.
Examples:
Food: Enzymatic methods to save water in juice extraction.
Manufacturing: Reducing energy consumption in metal finishing.
Biotech: Optimizing fermentation processes.

Quality Assurance & Validation – Ensuring prototypes or processes meet standards.
Examples:
Food: Testing consistency and safety of new recipes.
Biotech: Validating lab experiments before scaling production.
Manufacturing: Checking tolerances in precision components.

Industry-Specific R&D – Specialized research in a particular sector.
Examples:
Renewable energy: Testing solar panel efficiency in different climates.
Software: Developing AI or machine learning models.
Biotech: Experimenting with new enzyme or drug formulations.