| Author (Person) | Hudson, Grace |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Chadwyck-Healey Ltd |
| Series Title | Developments in European Information Issues |
| Publication Date | April 1999 |
| ISSN | 0264-7362 |
| Content Type | Overview |
|
Grantfinder Like InfoGrant, Grantfinder also deals with both EU and UK sources of funding and could be used by larger companies or information brokers. It is available on CD ROM and - from 1998 - on the web, though the majority of its current subscribers still use the CD ROM. The licence can include Internet access as well. With around 1,900 grants listed, some 1,550 come from UK sources and around 350 from Europe. The annual subscription of £2,950 covers eleven monthly updates, initial information and manual, access to the help desk and technical assistance, but training at £250 a session is extra. The intended route to search the database is via the company profile which occupies most of the initial screen. Relevant search criteria are entered under headings which cover the number of employees, the project value, its location, the type of business undertaking the project and its purpose. Good results depend on the accuracy of the information put in. To specify the industry, the basic list of codes can be expanded for more precise detail and selection includes also any sub-categories. To submit the search, click on the 'Search' button on the main screen and records matching the selected profile will be found. A summary or full details can be viewed, printed or sent to file. The records are full and clearly laid out, covering type of award, its purpose, how much support is given, its sponsor, necessary qualifications, the dates for action, and contact information with web addresses where known. An alternative approach is through the 'Word search' button where keywords from the text can be selected from an index - just type a few letters to get to the right section - and entered into the search boxes by means of arrows. A maximum of two terms can be selected and combined either with the AND or OR operators. The search could be further refined by combining this search with a profile, or with codes including a grant prefix, e.g. codes with the grant prefix Z relate to the EU. Though these codes are explained in the manual, there is no on screen help option. A word search by industry supports SIC92 codes. Click on 'Tree Search' to follow the hierarchical approach. The 'Sponsor' button, on the main screen, allows a search by the initiating body, e.g. DTI or EC. An especially useful feature of the database is the Update Bulletin which identifies the latest changes and developments during the past month. The February issue, for example, included a special feature on the Fifth RTD Framework Programme. The interface is not particularly intuitive and the word search facility is basic but, to judge by users' comments, seems to work adequately as the main angle of approach is through the company profile specification. Recent additions are the sponsor search feature and the addition of a wider area search facility to enhance the post code option. At time of writing this is still to be released on the web version. A good number of smaller grants are included and the information is kept updated with any changes. Some closed schemes remain on the database pending decisions on reactivation. Current calls and pre-information notices are shown in italics to stand out. For more information contact: Finance for Business Ltd |
|
| Subject Categories | Culture, Education and Research |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
