Financial assistance6

1

The Scottish Ministers may give to an eligible person, whose application has been approved under paragraph 5 above, such financial assistance under the Scheme towards eligible expenditure on the approved measures as they may consider appropriate.

2

Subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (6) below, the amount of financial assistance payable in respect of any measure in Part I of the Schedule to this Scheme shall–

a

in the case of an eligible business wholly located within a less-favoured area, be up to 50% of eligible expenditure;

b

in the case of an eligible business wholly located outwith a less-favoured area, be up to 40% of eligible expenditure; or

c

in the case of an eligible business located partly within and partly outwith a less-favoured area, be at the rate of up to 40% or up to 50%, as the Scottish Ministers may determine as they think fit.

3

Subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (6) below, the amount of financial assistance payable in respect of any measure in Part II of the Schedule to this Scheme shall be up to 50% of eligible expenditure.

4

The total amount of financial assistance payable to one or more eligible persons in respect of one eligible business shall not exceed the sum of £25,000.

5

In sub-paragraph (4) above, for the purposes of calculating the total amount of financial assistance, no regard shall be had to any amount payable in respect of any training costs which form part of the eligible expenditure.

6

Where an application for financial assistance is made in relation to a collaborative venture–

a

such assistance shall not be given unless each eligible person and each eligible business is actively involved in the collaborative venture; and

b

the total amount of financial assistance payable in respect of each eligible business (whether in consequence of the application made in relation to the collaborative venture or in consequence of any other application made in relation to such eligible business) shall not exceed £30,000.