REGIONAL SELECTIVE ASSISTANCE
Application Form
Introduction
Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is a grant towards projects aimed at increasing or safeguarding employment
in Scotland. RSA is a discretionary scheme targeted at projects which serve wider than simply a local market. All
projects must meet the scheme criteria that are outlined below (subject to any EC restrictions).
Our Commitment
We are customer focused and once we have received a completed application and supporting documentation we
will aim to reach a decision within 10 working days for grants up to £50,000, 20 working days for grants between
£50,000 and £250,000 and 40 working days for grants over £250,000.
Work on your application will not start until it is considered fully documented. During the appraisal process we may
ask for clarification on some aspects of your application and there may be some benefit in a further meeting or visit
to the project premises. The processing days noted above do not include time awaiting your response.
This form is straightforward to complete and, as you know your own business best, there is no requirement to
employ the services of an external consultant, although you can of course use one if you wish.
Please type your answers or write in black ink using BLOCK LETTERS. The form must be signed and posted to us.
We cannot accept digital or scanned signatures.
RSA can only be offered where it will make the difference between the project going ahead or not. We
cannot offer RSA when the applicant has made a prior commitment to the project i.e. where we believe the
project will proceed regardless of grant support.
DO NOT COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION UNLESS YOU CAN ANSWER YES TO ALL OF THE QUESTIONS
BELOW.
Project Criteria
Will the project take place in a location where the applicant is eligible for support?*
Is it aimed at more than a local market?
Will it involve capital expenditure on fixed assets?
Will the project and underlying business be financially viable and profitable within 3 years?
Will most of the funding come from internal/external private sector resources?
Can it be demonstrated that grant is needed to enable the project to proceed?
*Log onto www.scottishbusinessgrants.gov.uk to check whether a specific location falls within an eligible area.
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General Guidance
This form has been designed to capture most of the information required to appraise the application. However we
may ask for additional information during the appraisal process. If a business plan has been prepared you may
cross-reference the application to this. Please quote specific references and only do so if the business plan
explicitly provides the information required.
If any questions are not applicable, write “N/A” rather than leaving a blank space.
Section 1 – Applicant Details
1.1 Applicant’s business name and address
Name
Address
Postcode
Telephone
Company registration number
(if UK registered)
Website
1.2 Company contact
Name
Position
Telephone
Email
1.3 Financial advisor / consultant (if an external advisor assisted in the completion of this form)
Name
Company
Telephone
Email
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Section 2 – Background Information
2.1 History and principal activities of the applicant
Founded / incorporated
Key activities
History of the business (include, for
example, recent developments,
changes in ownership, recent
capital investment, changes in
strategy, changes in employment
levels, acquisitions and disposals,
etc)
2.2 Directors / partners
Name
Position
% Shareholding
2.3 Major shareholders
Name
% Shareholding
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2.4 Previous RSA applications (including those by other group or related companies)
Date
Company
Amount
Small or Medium sized enterprise (SME)
We have scope to provide greater assistance to SMEs, as defined by the EU
(http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/sme-definition/index_en.htm).
A small-sized enterprise is one which has less than 50 Full Time Equivalent employees and has either an annual
turnover or total assets of less than €10m.
A medium-sized enterprise is one which has less than 250 Full Time Equivalent employees and has either an
annual turnover of less than €50m or total assets of less than €43m.
2.5 The following information helps establish whether or not the business is an SME
Please detail permanent employees
at all business locations.
Hours per Week
Staff working exactly 15 hours should
be included in the 0-15 hrs category
and those working 30 hours should
be included in the 15-30 hrs
category.
Date of Application
Last Year End
Number of Staff
Number of Staff
0-15 Hours
15-30 Hours
30+ Hours
Total
Annual turnover (last year)
(n/a for start ups)
Total assets (last year end)
(n/a for start ups)
If the business is a start up, the net assets and turnover criteria will not apply.
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Does the applicant have any partner enterprises?
 it holds 25% or more (but no more than 50%) of shareholding/voting capital of another enterprise; or
 25% or more (but no more than 50%) of its shareholding/voting rights are held by another enterprise.
Yes
No
If YES, please provide details.
If easier, provide a group structure in
a separate attachment.
Does the applicant have any linked enterprises?
 it holds more than 50% of shareholding/voting capital of another enterprise; or
 more than 50% of its shareholding/voting rights are held by another enterprise.
Yes
No
If YES, please provide details.
If easier, provide a group structure in
a separate attachment.
Is your company a member of a group?
Yes
No
If Yes, please complete Section 3, if No, go to Section 4.
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Section 3 – Group Details
3.1 Immediate parent
Name
Country of registration
3.2 Ultimate parent (if different from above)
Name
Country of registration
3.3 Employees
Total number of group employees
Of which
Are based in the UK
3.4 Principal group activities
3.5 Group trading results (for the most recent trading year)
Year End
Net Assets
£’000
Turnover
£’000
Pre-tax Profit
£’000
Details of inter-company
transactions of/with the
applicant including
products/services, level of
trading, etc
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Section 4 – Project
As RSA can only be offered where it will make the difference between the project going ahead or not, you
should not commit to the project before you receive an offer of grant.
4.1 Project description
Brief description of project.
Mention, for example,
additional production
facilities, extension of
premises, etc.
Expected start date
4.2 Project rationale
 Explain why the project
is being undertaken and
what it is hoped to
achieve initially and in
the longer term (e.g. five
years from now).
 Explain what
alternatives to the
proposals have been
considered.
 Discuss the likely
consequences of not
proceeding with the
project.
4.3 Proposed capital expenditure
Please complete the table at Appendix 2 (Capex table)
Total must agree to
Appendix 2 (Capex table)
£
Explain why these items
are being purchased e.g.
to increase efficiency, for
additional capacity, etc.
4.4 Sustainability
Please highlight the
positive environmental
impacts of this project i.e.
internally - resource
efficiencies, clean
technologies or carbon
footprint; and/or externally
- green products/services.
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Please detail what actions
you propose to take to
reduce any negative
environmental impacts
associated with the project.
4.5 Project location (if different from those disclosed in Section 1)
Address
Postcode
4.6 Project premises
Existing
New
Owned / leased
Size
Annual rent (if appropriate)
Termination date / options
to extend
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Section 5 – Customers and Markets
5.1 Main products / service categories
Show the sales and related percentages of each main product/service category for the last two completed financial years and
the anticipated split during the forecast period.
Actual
Forecast
Year end
Product / service
Total sales
£000
%
100
£000
%
100
£000
%
100
£000
%
100
£000
%
100
Commentary on
changes in sales by
product / service line
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5.2 Customers
List the five largest customers in the last two completed financial years, and the value of sales to them in that year. If any
customers are expected to take more than 10% during the forecast years, provide their names and annual sales. If any new
names appear in the forecast list, please explain how their (increased) custom will be gained. If any existing customers do not
appear in the forecast list, please explain why their custom is expected to reduce.
Actual
Forecast
Year end
Name
Location (town)
£000
%
£000
%
£000
%
£000
%
£000
%
Why are sales to these
customers expected to
change?
Projects which serve mainly a local market do not qualify for RSA as these are likely to displace jobs
elsewhere in the assisted areas.
5.3 Market – core business
What are the growth
prospects for the overall
market?
What are your growth
prospects within this
market and why?
Source of market data
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5.4 Market – project (if different to core business)
What are the growth
prospects for the overall
market?
What are your growth
prospects within this
market and why?
Source of market data
5.5 Competitors
List the five largest
competitors. These should
relate to the project
activities.
Name
Location
What will be the impact of
this project on competitors
listed above and why?
Explain what differentiates
your product/service from
those of competitors.
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Section 6 – Employment at Project Location
Please complete this section in terms of Full-time Equivalents (FTE)
Full-time job (FT) = 30 hours or more per week
Part-time job (PT) = 15 hours or more per week
Two part-time jobs of 15 hours or more per week = one FTE
Include only permanent personnel directly employed by the applicant at the project location. Do not include selfemployed, sub-contracted or temporary personnel or personnel working predominantly outside Assisted Areas
e.g. field sales posts.
6.1 Employment
Total company employment
Employment at project location at
date of application
6.2 Forecast total employment at project location
Financial Year End
Employment effects of the project
With Project
Without Project
Employment created
Employment safeguarded
Why will the project safeguard these
positions?
Jobs will only be considered as safeguarded where there is a real threat that they will be lost in the near
future if the project does not proceed.
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6.3 Analysis of jobs created/safeguarded at the project location as a result of the project
Job Title
Basic average Total jobs before Number of jobs
annual salary
the project
created
Number of jobs
safeguarded
Total jobs after
the project
Total Jobs
6.4 Key personnel
Provide details of all key personnel
excluding the directors/partners
listed in Section 2 and covering
areas such as finance, sales &
marketing, production, etc.
Name
Current Position
Summary CVs/ bios should be provided for all key personnel as well as for every director. These should contain at
least the following information: full name, current position, date appointed, professional qualifications, a summary of
career history (including key dates) and a list of all directorships held within the last 5 years. This information will be
taken into account in assessing the financial and commercial management of the business.
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Section 7 – Financial Information
All applications should be accompanied by financial projections for the current year (Year 1) and at least two further
years. If the benefits of the project are not expected to feed through until Year 4 for example, the projections should
be extended to include this period. Projections should exclude any RSA applied for.
Please complete the appropriate financial appendices workbook for the level of grant that you are requesting.
Alternatively, for grant requests up to £250,000, you may provide your own projections provided that they are in an
appropriate format and comprise profit and loss, cash flow and balance sheets.
If your case for assistance is based on the need to fill a funding gap (see Section 8), and the maximum gap does
not occur at the financial year end, then please provide monthly projections to support your application.
All projections should be prepared for the business as a whole, not just the project. We may request group
information if required.
Complete the boxes below with summary information. These figures must match those in the financial
appendices/ projections.
7.1 Enter trading results for the past 2 completed years and forecasts for the next three years
Actual
£’000
Actual
£’000
Forecast
£’000
Forecast
£’000
Forecast
£’000
Year end
Turnover
Direct costs
Gross profit
Overhead expenses
Profit before tax
7.2 Analysis of trading results
What were the main influences on
turnover? (e.g. new products/ new
business/ market changes)
What were the main influences on
gross profit margins?
What were the main influences on
overheads/ profit before tax?
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7.3 Analysis of forecasts
Why are sales expected to grow?
What are the main influences on
gross profit margins?
What are the main influences on
overheads/ profit before tax?
7.4 Analysis of forecast working capital
What are your assumptions for
trade debtor and creditor payment
terms?
What are your assumptions for
movements in stock balances?
Please explain any movements in
other debtor and creditor balances
during the period.
7.5 Analysis of forecast cash flows
What is the peak funding gap?
Provide details in relation to any
non-project capital expenditure.
Discuss any exceptional items or
other relevant issues.
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Section 8 – Case for RSA
8.1 Request for assistance
Grant is needed to:
(place x in appropriate boxes)
Fill a funding gap
Reduce gearing/risk
Meet established investment criteria
Influence location of project
Provide a full explanation of the
boxes ticked above. Refer to
overdraft limits, funding gaps in
cash flow forecasts, group
investment criteria, alternative
location costs, risk assessment,
sensitivity analysis, etc. Also
include any relevant non-financial
factors.
If your case for assistance is based on the need to fill a funding gap, and the maximum deficit does not occur at the financial
year end, then we may ask you to submit monthly projections in support of your application.
What would be the likely effect on
the project of your not obtaining a
grant (e.g. delay, abandonment,
etc).
8.2 Level of assistance
Amount of grant sought
Explain how the amount requested
has been calculated.
8.3 Project funding
Provide details of additional private
sector financing for the project e.g.
amounts, finance providers, loan
terms, stage in discussions, etc.
Provide details of any public sector
assistance for the project e.g. from
your Council.
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Checklist
Have you attached copies of:
Yes
Not Applicable
Last year’s final (audited) full (i.e. not abbreviated) accounts?
Most recent final (audited) group accounts?
Latest management accounts?
CVs for key project and management personnel?
Business plan?
Group structure?
Assumptions supporting the financial projections?
If you fail to supply any of these items, appraisal of your application is likely to be delayed.
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Declaration and understanding
Have you, or any other partner or director of your business, ever been disqualified from being a company director
under the Company Directors Disqualification Act (1986) or been the proprietor, partner or director of a business
subject to an investigation (completed, current or pending) undertaken under the Companies, Financial Services or
Banking Acts?
Yes
No
If YES, please give details on a separate sheet of paper. This does not necessarily affect your chances of obtaining
RSA.
Have you, or any other partner or director of your business, ever been bankrupt or subject to an arrangement with
creditors?
Yes
No
If YES, please give details on a separate sheet of paper. This does not necessarily affect your chances of
obtaining RSA.
Have you, or any other partner or director of your business, ever been a proprietor, partner or director of a business
subject to any formal insolvency procedure such as Receivership, Liquidation, Administration or was subject to an
arrangement with its creditors?
Yes
No
If YES, please give details on a separate sheet of paper. This does not necessarily affect your chances of
obtaining RSA.
Have you, or any other partner or director of your business, ever been a proprietor, partner or director of a business
requested to repay a grant under any Government scheme? This includes any company requested to pay grant
while subject to any insolvency procedure, where the director/company secretary knew or ought reasonably to
have expected that any request to pay grant could be made?
Yes
No
If YES, please give details on a separate sheet of paper. This does not necessarily affect your chances of
obtaining RSA.
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Declaration – Please read this carefully before signing
I am content for information supplied here to be shared in confidence with other public sector bodies, who may be
involved in considering the case.
I understand that if I give information that is incorrect or incomplete, grant may be withheld or reclaimed and action
taken against me. I declare that the information I have given on this form is correct and complete. I also declare
that, except as otherwise stated on this form, I have not started the project which forms the basis of this application
and no expenditure has been committed or defrayed on it.
I understand that any offer may be publicised by means of a press release giving brief details of the project and the
grant amount.
Applications must be signed by an Executive Director or Company Secretary (in the case of a company) or by the
proprietor or a partner.
Signed
Date
Position in Organisation
Telephone
Email
Where to Send Your Application
Send the completed application form, appendices and the other information detailed on the checklist to:
Regional Selective Assistance Team
Scottish Enterprise Enquiry Service
Caspian House
2 Mariner Court
8 South Avenue
Clydebank Business Park
Clydebank
G81 2NR
If you have any questions, call the RSA Enquiry line on 0845 607 8787 or email rsa@scotent.co.uk
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If you require this publication in an
alternative format and/or language
please contact the Scottish Enterprise
Helpline on 0845 607 8787 to discuss
your needs.
Scottish Enterprise
Atrium Court
50 Waterloo Street
Glasgow
G2 6HQ
Helpline: 0845 607 8787
E-mail: enquiries@scotent.co.uk
www.scottish-enterprise.com
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