This is how the process works for applications: To start an application you will be asked to register on the website by providing some basic information (a user name, a password and an e-mail address).
Your registration will create a user account, which will allow you to login and start your application (with user name & password).
A confirmation email will be sent to you to confirm your registration. Please keep this safe and confidential for further reference.
The application has 7 sections to complete. You can go back to the application as many times as you need before the deadline. Once all 7 sections are complete and you have confirmed that you agree to the submission contract you will be able to submit your application to the fund. You may also include with your application up to two images, which should be .JPG files no more than 100kb in size each. A photograph and/or diagram may help you to present your idea more clearly and could help the assessment process.
The deadline for submission is midnight on Friday 6 November 2009. After this time you will not be able to access your application form again. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your final submission for future reference.
An independent group will assess applications (for details see Partners). You will not be contacted for further information so please ensure that you describe your idea as completely as possible in the application form.
Unsuccessful applicants will be informed at the beginning of 2010, but no correspondence or appeal can be entered into.
Shortlisted businesses will then be interviewed at a face-to-face meeting with the judges at one of the three UK regional judging events to be held in February 2010. The regional judges will evaluate your idea based on its carbon-saving potential, the degree of innovation, and commercial viability. They will also consider the material impact the award will have on the business and the credibility of the team behind the project. Shortlisted businesses will be given access to the Finalist area on the website.
Awards will be made on the day of the regional event to the most compelling applications and feedback given to all finalists including those who are disappointed.
Prizes will be paid by bank transfer within 6 weeks of making the awards.
Up to two businesses from each region will also be interviewed at a face-to-face meeting with a national judging panel in March 2010 and an overall UK winner will be announced. The national judges will look at your idea’s carbon saving potential, innovation and commercial viability too, but they will also make an assessment of the credibility of your presentation and team. In other words, they will look at your idea from the perspective of potential investors.
At the end of the process, all unsuccessful applications will be disposed of securely.
Obligations on winners
The only obligations if you win an award are:
to spend the funding on the project set out in your application
to write a letter to Shell at an agreed time, describing what you have achieved (or challenges to achieving your goals – which are just as important!)
to provide material for this website and other publicity
to participate in a judging panel next year (if requested)