Business Grants in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland offers unique business funding opportunities through Invest NI, local councils, and cross-border programmes with the Republic of Ireland. Belfast and other NI businesses can access support for innovation, exports, and growth.
Invest NI Funding
Invest Northern Ireland is the main business development agency for NI. They provide grants, loans, and support for businesses looking to grow, innovate, or export. Their programmes cover R&D, capital investment, skills development, and market entry.
Local Council Support
Northern Ireland's 11 councils offer their own business support programmes. Belfast City Council, Derry City and Strabane, and other councils run grant schemes for local businesses, particularly SMEs and startups.
Cross-Border Programmes
NI businesses can also access cross-border funding programmes with the Republic of Ireland and EU-funded initiatives. InterTradeIreland supports cross-border trade and innovation projects.
Northern Ireland Business Grants
66 grants found
Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund
The Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund is a pre-commercial grant awarding fund. On a competitive basis, the fund supports entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland with grants to explore the viability and commercial potential of an innovative concept. This proof of concept grant is for SMEs wo are located in Northern Ireland. The grant is 100% funded up the given limit of the grant amount. This grant aims to primarily fund who are aiming to use the money to learn about the market.
Project Definition
A Research & Development (R&D) grant that aims to support high-risk, technically ambitious projects. It provides support to conduct feasibility studies and supports activities that have a commercial endpoint, helping businesses reduce project risks, identify costs, and identify potential benefits.
Technical Development Incentive
Designed to encourage companies to engage in the innovation activities of product development, process improvement and the identification and protection of intellectual property. The proposed innovative solution must add value by increasing competitiveness.
Operational excellence solutions
The Operational Excellence Solutions programme provides coaching, workshops and specialist advice to help businesses improve productivity, reduce non‑essential work by up to 25% and increase profitability.
Net zero and the green economy
Provides specialist guidance and financial support to help Northern Ireland businesses reduce energy consumption, decarbonise operations, and explore green market opportunities.
Clustering and collaboration
The Cluster Acceleration Programme provides financial support for businesses to collaborate, helping them identify new opportunities and strengthen their competitive edge.
Protect your intellectual property
Provides specialist advice on patents, trademarks, designs and copyrights, and offers financial assistance for an Intellectual Asset Management Audit and to protect IP such as patents, trademarks, designs and licensing agreements.
Digitalisation solutions
The Digitalisation solutions program offers advice and support for export‑focused businesses to implement Management Information Systems (MIS) such as CRM, ERP/MRP, e‑commerce platforms and digital automation, with possible financial assistance for software costs and related setup and training.
Exhibitions and trade missions
The Exhibitions and trade missions program helps Northern Ireland businesses attend international trade shows and missions, providing market insights, matchmaking, and financial support for travel and follow‑up visits.
Support for start-ups
Support for start-ups provides free step‑by‑step guidance for new businesses in Northern Ireland, offering online tools, videos, e‑learning tutorials and personalised advice through the My New Business service and the Go Succeed programme.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a subsidised three-way partnership between a business, a high‑calibre graduate and an academic institution, providing a cost‑effective way for businesses to attract fresh talent and access university expertise to drive strategic innovation and growth.
Agri-Food Investment Initiative
The Agri-Food Investment Initiative (AFII) is a strategic funding program designed to significantly enhance the economic performance and competitiveness of Northern Ireland's vital Agri-food sector. Managed by Invest Northern Ireland, the initiative provides financial assistance for transformative capital investments that drive growth, improve efficiency, and foster innovation. The grant supports a wide range of capital expenditures, including the purchase of new machinery and equipment, the acquisition or development of computer software, and the buying of intangible assets such as patents, licenses, copyrights, and trademarks. This comprehensive support is aimed at improving productivity and capacity building, ultimately enabling new product development and securing the sector's future. The AFII is a competitive program with varying grant intensities based on the size of the applicant business. For small businesses, the maximum aid intensity is 35% of the eligible investment costs, with a minimum project size of £300,000. Medium businesses can receive a maximum of 25% aid intensity for projects with a minimum size of £500,000. Large businesses are eligible for a maximum of 20% aid intensity, provided their project is at least £1,000,000. A crucial aspect of this program is that flat grant rates do not apply; instead, the grant amount is negotiable and limited to the minimum support required for the project's successful implementation. The total eligible costs for a single investment project are capped at €25 million, and the maximum assistance available under the scheme is approximately £5 million. The fund is open to both existing and new clients of Invest NI who operate within specific food and drink processing sectors that handle Annex I products. These sectors include meat, dairy, bakery, beverages, potatoes, cereals, and more. Due to State Aid restrictions, some sectors have specific eligibility requirements related to business size. The initiative is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s strategy to support its agri-food businesses and ensure they remain competitive on a global scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Northern Ireland