Developing your businesses but need help with funding? If so you may be eligible for up to 50% grant funding via our Business Development Grants scheme. Applications are now open.
Who can apply?
The Business Development Grants are for:
- Micro or small businesses operating from business premises.
- Development projects costing between £10,001 and £100,000. The project should aim to meet one or more of the following objectives: stimulate enterprise and innovation; enhance business resilience; improve business productivity, encourage green business growth/carbon reduction; and enable the creation of higher paid / higher skilled roles.
- Businesses in the following sectors: Manufacturing; Engineering; Knowledge Based and Digital sector, Hospitality & Tourism (inc. accommodation, visitor attractions and activity providers) and Farm Diversification. Service and Construction sector businesses may be eligible to apply if 50% or more of their turnover is derived from business to business transactions.
How much grant is available?
Minimum grant £5,000, maximum grant £25,000.The remainder of the funding must be provided by the applicant business. Only one application per qualifying business/linked business will be accepted.
What is eligible?
Eligible expenditure includes the following costs where it can be demonstrated that the proposed investment will directly support the objectives of the grant scheme. Proposed expenditure needs to be new to the business and not ongoing costs:
- new equipment or technology required to develop/diversify/grow the business inc. new to the firm technologies or processes, more efficient production processes and capital expenditure to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the business.
- digital adoption inc. investment in e-commerce and on-line booking systems
- capital expenditure to enable premise adaptations to support business expansion where the occupier is the applicant business. No funding is available for capital improvements to property which is subsequently let to other users.
- buying in specialist consultancy services to develop/diversify/grow the business*
- buying-in bespoke training necessary to upskill the workforce and address skills shortages inc. training for business owners, employers, managers or employees*
*unavailable through other provision / capped at £8,000
How to apply
PLEASE NOTE : Funding is subject to availability of funds - please be aware the Rural Innovation Grants may close with minimal notice as funds become fully committed. All expenditure has to be completed and claimed by 28th February 2025
Read the Business Development Grant guidance to see if you may be eligible.
If you then wish to apply you must first register your interest. We advise that you first read our Registration Form Guidance before starting your registration and also that you read the Grant Process for Applicants which provides an overview of the process.
When you have completed your registration you will be notified (by email) if you are eligible to apply for a grant. If so you will be sent a link to submit your application.
This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
