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
225 grants found
Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation
Apply for funding to establish a Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) to address strategic regulatory science priorities through sustained programmes of research.
Funding opportunity: Mid-range equipment for biosciences research: ALERT 2026
Apply for funding to purchase mid-range equipment for research across BBSRC’s scientific remit. This is an equipment-only grant for a single piece of equipment to be widely used and well supported, promoting access, collaboration and equipment sharing.
Invite only: Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) medical countermeasures R&D
Apply for funding to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions across any stage of the developmental pathway, from prototype development, through pre-clinical refinement, to early-phase clinical studies (up to phase 2a) for CBRN threats. Applications must demonstrate how the proposed research will result in improved domestic preparedness for CBRN threats.
Eureka collaborative R&D: Globalstars Japan 2027
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of £2 million for collaborative industrial research and development (R&D) projects with partners from Japan and select Eureka countries.
MRC Centre of Research Excellence: round five: outline application
Apply for MRC Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) funding to tackle complex and interdisciplinary health challenges. MRC CoREs will be funded for up to 14 years, with an initial seven-year award based on 80% FEC funding.
Commissioned Rehabilitative Services General Grant Scheme
A grant scheme by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to award multiple competed general grants across probation regions. It supports services for people with shared protected characteristics or experiences, aiming to promote rehabilitation and desistance, reduce reoffending, and improve probation engagement.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a government grant providing support for eligible organisations—including businesses, charities, public sector bodies, and small accommodation businesses—to install Electric Vehicle (EV) chargepoints. The scheme is available in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It covers up to 75% of the total purchase and installation costs, capped at a maximum of £350 per socket, for a total limit of 40 sockets across all sites per applicant. The objective is to support the development of EV infrastructure in the workplace.
England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
Supports the establishment of new woodlands, administered by the Forestry Commission.
Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners
The grant provides electric vehicle (EV) drivers who are renters or own a flat with support towards the costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points.
Electric vehicle chargepoint and infrastructure grants for landlords
Grants for landlords to install electric vehicle chargepoints and supporting infrastructure in rental and leasehold properties.
Trees, woodlands and forestry - Woodland Creation Planning Grant
The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) offers funding of up to £30,500 for the production of a UKFS-compliant woodland creation design plan. Landowners, land managers and public bodies can apply.
Made Smarter - Manufacturing grants and funding
Made Smarter South East is a government-funded programme to drive growth amongst the South East's manufacturing SMEs and makers. It launched in April 2025 and the pilot runs to 31 March 2026 and has a budget of £1.55m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Northern Ireland