Sometimes it’s not just more information that’s needed to help an idea get off the ground. Lot’s of women have been stopped in their tracks by the fact that they don’t actually have the opportunity to develop their idea due to a lack of resources. 

Have you ever dreamed of taking an idea forward only to find that you just can’t find the money you need to make up samples or get business cards? Or, have you started to research an idea only to find your telephone and travel costs have hiked up to more than you can manage? Maybe you need to buy some specialist books but can’t find the money you need to get them. It might even be that you have young children and just can’t afford the childcare you’d need to give you time to go and visit suppliers. Whatever the obstacle, the Research Grant offered by enterprising women might just be the answer you are looking for.

Over the years, lots of women have told us that they just don’t have the resources to pursue their idea. 

“How can you take an idea forward and take advantage of all of the help and advice enterprising women give in relation to market research when you just don’t have any money spare?” 

“The business is still quite far off being started, and if the research doesn’t support it, it may never be started. So, when there’s no obvious way of generating any money from the idea itself in the near future how on earth can I even get going?” 

“I don’t even know if I am going to start the business yet, so I am nowhere near ready to write a business plan or try to access start up funding.”

Any of this sound familiar?  If so, read on. enterprising women offers a Research Grant to encourage more women to take their ideas forward  and help overcome the financial difficulties that they face with initial costs at the early stages of their venture. 

This is a personal grant awarded to you, not the business. By accessing a small grant to meet the essential early stage costs you should hopefully be able on a practical level to overcome the things holding you back mentioned above. As well as financial assistance the grant will give you the opportunity to set up simple systems for managing your money which will develop in you valuable skills you can use in the future whatever you decide to do.

In order to apply for this grant you must meet certain eligibility criteria. You need to be:
• female
• not currently self employed or running a business
• agree to account for expenditures over
• clearly state business idea
• living in Glasgow (ie pay Council Tax to Glasgow City Council)

If you decide to apply there are some standard costs the grant can be used, including stationery, postage, travel, telephone & internet, childcare, printing, materials  and equipment for samples and magazines.

Applicants should be aware that the grant is discretionary and highly competitive and this is likely to be reflected in the amount awarded. An average award is likely to be in the region of £150-£250, depending on your circumstances and how much research you have to do. Applications must be made on the standard Research Grant application form and these are accepted in on a monthly basis. 

Your checklist:
• confirm eligibility
• meet with enterprising women
• fully complete application form
• understand and agree to monitoring and procedures
• submit application by due date

Here are some comments from women who’ve received the grant and gave us feedback.

“Using the grant to research my idea forced me to vocalize my idea. I liked the way that the application was self-directed and flexible, allowing for all kinds of business ideas, research priorities and necessities”

“I felt the money I received was the right amount. It was very generous and enabled me to produce professional quality materials and samples.”

“The grant was sufficient for me to put my toe in the water! It was efficiently instigated and monitored and encouraged me to think in a practical way about creative ideas.”

“This has been a wonderful opportunity for me. It is a fantastic resource for women and has helped me believe in myself and my abilities and given me focus”

“The grant helped me focus and get started. It was good to actually think about and list the things I’d need and how much they were in order to get started. Getting the research done helped to spur me on and get in contact with the right galleries, so I appreciate the financial help or it would have taken me a lot longer”

“The application is straightforward and having to write up and think about the costs and benefits of market research really helped me get serious. It starts you off as you should go on with research, a plan, lists and receipts”