The Smart and Connected Social Places (SCSP) Innovation Fund helps businesses in the Glasgow City Region adopt and use 5G and advanced wireless technologies to help solve critical challenges and problems in housing, healthcare, and data-driven decision-making.

The grant will support projects that use 5G technology or advanced wireless technology to drive innovation, change health outcomes and enhance public services. The support can be used in areas such as social housing, health and social care, and data aggregation and business intelligence.

To be eligible for the grant, your organisation must be based in one of the Glasgow City Region local authority areas. These are:

• East Dunbartonshire Council
• East Renfrewshire Council
• Glasgow City Council
• Inverclyde Council
• North Lanarkshire Council
• Renfrewshire Council
• South Lanarkshire Council
• West Dunbartonshire Council

 Your organisation is eligible if it's one of the following:

• a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
• a charity
• a social enterprise
• a community interest company (CIC)
• a limited company
• a housing association
• a college
• a university

Both individual organisations and consortiums can apply.

There is no cost to apply for this fund. 

The programme will cover the cost of your approved project activities up to a maximum of £100,000.

If your project costs are more than £100,000, you'll need to fund any remaining costs from other sources.

You'll receive the funding in instalments over the duration of the project. Each payment will be made in advance of agreed project milestones.

Organisations based in the Glasgow City Region.

The deadline to apply is midday on 16 September 2024. You can ask questions about the fund until midday on 9 September.

When you submit your application, you'll receive an immediate confirmation both on screen and by email. 

If you're successful, you'll be contacted the week commencing 30 September 2024.

Your project should start in October 2024 and should involve a data collection period of at least 3 months, with review meetings held each month.

All projects should be complete and ready to take part in the showcase event by the week commencing 24 March 2025.

Key dates:

• deadline to email with questions: midday on 9 September 2024
• application deadline: midday on 16 September 2024
• awards announced: week of 30 September 2024
• projects begin: October 2024, and run for at least 3 months
• showcase event and all projects complete: week of 24 March 2025

Visit the Smart and Connected Social Places Innovation Fund page to read the full guidance and apply.