RGF 5 opens this week

Bidding for Round 5 of the Government's Regional Growth Fund will open on Friday, and a roadshow of briefing sessions by officials to explain the application process will visit Liverpool in November.

The bid period for the next round will run from Friday 11 October to Monday 9 December 2013.

Department for Business, Innovation & Skills literature said the funds "will be available to bidders from the private sector seeking £1m or more for high quality projects and programmes that leverage private sector investment and create sustainable jobs.

Briefing events will be held through the country starting on Friday in Newcastle.

The events will feature a presentation on how to make a successful bid and offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions. Attendees will have the chance to discuss their bid as part of an expression of interest meeting with a bid appraisal specialist from BIS. This will allow potential bidders to receive advice on their application and get further information about the fund.

Limited expression of interest sessions will be available on the day of the event. A dedicated day for expression of interest meetings will also take place approximately one week later in each region, with one in Manchester on 22 November. Telephone sessions can also be arranged to suit.

To reserve a place at the event and to secure an expression of interest session with one of the bid appraisal specialists from BIS email growthfund@bis.gsi.gov.uk. You will need to specify if you require an appointment with a bid appraisal specialist on the same day of the briefing event you wish to attend or at the dedicated expression of interest sessions being held approximately one week following the event.

There was £506m awarded in Round 4, to 60 private companies and 30 local authorities and local enterprise partnerships.

• The briefing session is due to take place on 13 November at Liverpool John Moores University, John Lennon Art & Design Building, 2 Duckinfield Street Liverpool L3 5RD.
• An expression of interest event is due to take place on 22 November at Floor 7, Arndale Tower, Arndale Centre, Manchester, M4 3AQ.