Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency responsible for the Yorkshire and Humber area with the aim of attracting inward investment, businesses 
and jobs to the region, improving the infrastructure and providing training 
Funding is available via business grants, ‘soft’ loans and Regional Selective Assistance (RSA). RSA is a discretionary grant providing assistance towards 
projects with fixed capital expenditure over £500,000 to create or safeguard employment in the region. It is available to companies, partnerships and sole 
traders for the purpose of establishing new businesses, improving existing business, setting up R&D facilities and transition from development to production. 
In addition to links to academic and local government organisations and directories, Yorkshire Forward has launched a number of websites to assist with 
information searches, for example Yorkshire Futures (a co-ordinated intelligence sources for the region designed to improve the dissemination and use of 
economic, social and environmental information about the region) and Knowledge RICH (the Regional Innovation Clearing House) which provides a business 
information service with online access to advice and expertise on innovation, research and new technology development; equipment, facilities and services 
to support research, testing, new product and process development; IPR and licensing opportunities; latest technological, scientific, legislation and 
management developments; practical guidance on improving business competitiveness and profitability through innovation; online forum for sharing experience 
and learning best practice. Knowledge RICH, developed by Yorkshire Forward, is a partnership between the key industrial, academic and business support agencies 
in Yorkshire and the Humber.