R&D Tax Credit Specialists in Cambridge
Cambridge is one of the most research intensive places in Europe, and the East of England made 10% of UK R&D claims and 14% of the value claimed in 2024 to 2025. We match Cambridge businesses, free, with vetted R&D tax specialists experienced in biotech, semiconductor and deep tech claims.
How do we help Cambridge companies find an R&D tax specialist?
We help Cambridge companies by matching them, free, with an R&D tax specialist or R&D tax consultant from our panel whose sector experience fits the work. You complete one short form, we check the basics such as your claim notification deadline, and with your consent we introduce up to 3 firms. Panel firms work with clients remotely and visit sites where the technical story needs it, so you are not limited to advisers with an office on your street.
Why does ERIS matter so much in Cambridge?
ERIS matters in Cambridge because many companies are venture funded, loss-making and spend most of their money on scientists and engineers, which often takes R&D above the 30% intensity threshold. That can raise the value of the claim from about 16.2p to up to 26.97p per pound. The intensity test includes connected companies, and investors' group structures can affect it, so it should be modelled with care.
Are R&D tax consultants in Cambridge different from specialists?
No. Cambridge firms use both titles for the same work: identifying qualifying projects, measuring costs, writing the technical report and defending the claim. Judge an R&D tax consultant in Cambridge on the same things as any specialist: technical people who understand your field, HMRC registration, insurance and written fees.
Which Cambridge sectors make R&D claims?
Cambridge's R&D clusters include:
- Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CB2): Addenbrooke's Hospital, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and pharmaceutical research, with biotech companies around it.
- Cambridge Science Park and St John's Innovation Park (CB4): deep tech, software, AI and life sciences companies.
- West Cambridge (CB3): university engineering, physics and computer science departments and their spin-outs.
- Station area and city centre (CB1): semiconductor design, software and AI companies.
- South Cambridgeshire research campuses: such as the Babraham Research Campus and Granta Park, just outside the city.
See our life sciences guide and ERIS page.
Which parts of Cambridge do we cover?
We cover every part of Cambridge. Common postcode districts in enquiries include:
- CB1
- CB2
- CB3
- CB4
- CB5
This page covers the City of Cambridge. Companies on South Cambridgeshire campuses and elsewhere in the East of England are matched in the same way.
What should Cambridge companies check before claiming?
- Your accounting period end date, and whether a claim notification form is due within six months of it
- Whether you are an SME and whether ERIS could apply because R&D is 30% or more of total spending
- Any grants received for the same projects
- Whether any contractors or externally provided workers were outside the UK, which since April 2024 usually rules their costs out
- That whoever prepares your claim is registered with HMRC as a tax adviser and puts fees in writing
Read our deadlines guide or how to choose a specialist.
What do Cambridge R&D projects typically look like?
- Biotech and drug discovery: target discovery, antibody and small molecule work, and platform technologies on the Biomedical Campus and nearby research parks.
- Semiconductors: chip architecture and design work, building on the city's long history in processor design.
- AI and software: machine learning research and deep tech software from Science Park and city centre companies.
- Medical devices and diagnostics: engineering and science work linked to Addenbrooke's and university departments.
- Materials and engineering: spin-outs from the West Cambridge engineering and physics departments.
University spin-outs: what to check
Many Cambridge companies are spin-outs. Before claiming, check that the company, not the university, is carrying out and paying for the R&D, how the licence for the founding IP works, and whether any staff are still employed by the university. Payments to the university for research services may be treated differently from commercial contractors.
Investor structures and ERIS
Venture capital investment can affect SME status, because linked and partner enterprises are counted. It can also affect the ERIS intensity test where companies are connected. If your company has a corporate investor, or sits in a group with other portfolio companies, ask your specialist to confirm SME status and connected companies before modelling ERIS.
Typical cost profile for a Cambridge biotech
A pre-revenue biotech typically claims scientists' staff costs, reagents and consumables, contract research in the UK, software and data licences, and payments to clinical trial volunteers. With most spending on research, ERIS often applies, subject to the PAYE cap where contract research is high.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pre-revenue biotech claim R&D relief?
Yes. A loss-making company can surrender the loss for a payable credit, and ERIS may give up to 26.97p per pound if it meets the intensity test.
Does chip design qualify?
Semiconductor design work qualifies where it resolves technological uncertainty, such as achieving new performance, power or area targets with uncertain methods.
How does the PAYE cap affect start-ups?
Payable credits are capped at £20,000 plus 300% of PAYE and NIC, unless an exemption applies. Start-ups with few employees and large contractor costs should check this early.
Do Cambridge spin-outs need to claim through the university?
No. The spin-out company claims for its own R&D. Payments to the university for research services need checking under the rules for contracted-out work.
How does venture capital affect ERIS?
Investors can affect SME status through linked and partner enterprise rules, and connected companies are included in the intensity test.
Get matched with a vetted R&D tax specialist
Tell us what you do and roughly what you spend on development. We check the basics, then introduce you to a specialist from our panel whose sector experience fits your work.
- Free to use, with no obligation to appoint anyone
- Introductions only to firms that meet our panel criteria
- Fee terms in writing from the firm before you sign anything
- We flag claim deadlines we can see from your answers
Our matching service is free for businesses. Specialist firms on our panel pay us a fee when we introduce a business to them. That fee does not change the price a firm quotes you, and you are never obliged to appoint anyone we introduce.