FINANCE OPTIONS

^Get 850k R&D Tax Credit Funding – Apply Now

Q: How much 850k R&D Tax Credit Funding can a business borrow?

Typical borrowing is commonly offered from around £50,000 up to £3,000,000. The available amount is influenced by claim value and substantiation quality, claim status, and lender risk appetite, including company size, trading history, and how confidently the lender can link repayment to the HMRC settlement timeline.

Q: How long does an R&D Tax Credit funding advance take to decide?

Initial decisions are often around 5 to 15 working days once your adviser pack and submission evidence are provided. More protected, secured or bonded structures can take longer, commonly about 10 to 25 working days due to additional legal and controls checks.

Q: What does the cost look like for this type of funding?

Pricing is deal-specific and may be structured as a discount or factor or fee-based cost rather than a simple named interest rate. Where an APR-equivalent range is quoted, it is often roughly 7% to 15%, with the exact figure influenced by claim status, timing certainty, term length, and risk.

Q: What types of R&D Tax Credit funding advances are available?

Common structures include an unsecured advance on a submitted R&D claim, an advance repaid from a future HMRC instalment or credit, and a secured or bonded R&D advance for higher-risk or higher-value cases. Lenders select the most suitable option based on claim credibility, expected repayment timing, and whether enhanced protection is required.

850k R&D Tax Credit Funding typically takes the form of an R&D Tax Credit Funding Advance, a cash-up-front facility based on expected (or submitted/accepted) HMRC R&D Tax Credit claims. Instead of waiting for HMRC to pay, a lender advances funds and the advance is repaid from the eventual HMRC credit or net settlement. Businesses use this approach to bridge the cashflow timing gap while their adviser prepares and submits the claim. Common outcomes include reducing disruption to R&D spend, helping protect payroll and contractors, and improving working capital predictability during the HMRC processing window.

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^Benefits of an R&D Tax Credit funding advance

This type of finance is designed around the timing of HMRC R&D payments, so it focuses on when you need cash rather than waiting for settlement. Costs are usually structured as fees or discounts rather than a simple named interest rate, and the underwriting looks closely at claim credibility and expected repayment. Decision times are often measured in working days once your adviser pack and evidence are provided.

Unlock cash without waiting

Protect R&D headcount

Stabilise working capital

SCALE YOUR BUSINESS TO NEW HEIGHTS

R&D Tax Credit funding advance types

Unsecured advance on submitted R&D claim

For SMEs with an R&D claim already submitted or ready to submit, this route advances funds based on expected HMRC value and the adviser evidence pack.

Unsecured advance on submitted R&D claim

An unsecured advance on a submitted R&D claim is typically aimed at UK incorporated SMEs where the claim is submitted or supported for submission, with technical report and calculations from advisers. Lenders assess claim credibility, trading activity, and the ability to repay from the expected HMRC credit. Funding can often range from around £100,000 up to about £1.0m, with terms commonly set for roughly 6 to 18 months depending on expected timing.

Advance with repayment from future HMRC instalment

This structure is used where your HMRC R&D credit is expected to land soon, or in line with a known payment pattern.

Advance with repayment from future HMRC instalment

With an advance that repays from a future HMRC instalment or credit, lenders focus on evidence that your R&D profile is recurring and that the expected payment is near enough to underwrite. The facility is usually priced using a discount or factor-style cost, often with an APR-equivalent broadly spanning single digits up to mid-teens depending on timing and risk. Terms are frequently 3 to 12 months, or 6 to 18 months if timing is less certain.

Secured or bonded R&D advance

When claim complexity or timing uncertainty increases lender risk, enhanced protection can help support larger advances.

Secured or bonded R&D advance

A secured or bonded R&D advance is designed for cases where unsecured capacity may be limited. Eligibility centres on substantial claim value and strong substantiation, but lenders may request additional security, guarantees, or contractual safeguards depending on their policy. Typical funding can range from about £150,000 to £3.0m, with terms often around 6 to 24 months. Decision times tend to be longer, often about 10 to 25 working days, because of the extra legal and controls checks.

Typical Funding Journeys on Funding Agent

Submit your funding request

Our platform enriches your application using business data

Your request is matched to suitable lenders

Receive offers and proceed with the best option

How Funding Agent helps you access the advance

Share your R&D claim details

Upload your adviser pack, including the technical report and calculations. Confirm whether your claim is submitted, accepted, amended, or expected soon, and share an approximate credit value so we can map lenders to the right repayment timing.

We match you to suitable lenders

Funding Agent compares options by advance type, such as unsecured versus more protected structures. We also consider likely term alignment and the evidence lenders typically require, to shortlist lenders that fit your claim strength and timescales.

Apply and complete onboarding

Once you choose an option, you submit the lender application through the agreed process. If approved, funds are released under the facility terms, and repayment is set up to reconcile with the eventual HMRC R&D credit settlement.