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
151 grants found
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.
Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £10 million for industrial research projects to explore industrial strategy aligned Createch innovation. The aim is to support early stage innovation in the intersection of high growth potential Createch and the Industrial Strategy Frontier industries, developing innovations beyond proof of concept, de-risking future investment and supporting long term sector growth.
Expression of interest: Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator Provider Pool: late stage
UK registered organisations can apply to join an approved provider pool for the BMC Accelerator Programme. Providers may be called upon over a period of up to three years to support programme delivery, subject to specific themes and requirements.
Electric vehicle infrastructure grant for staff and fleets
The grant provides small and medium-sized businesses money off the cost of installing electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints and supporting infrastructure for their staff and fleet vehicles.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) - Nottingham
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a funding programme that aims to support local businesses and communities.
Zero Emission Flight Demonstrator Round 1
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of a minimum of £8 million for developing zero emission capable flight in the UK, subject to a sufficient number of high quality applications being received. This funding is from DfT.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 to 2027 round 2
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £10 million to fund innovation projects with businesses.
Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Discovery C6
Funding for collaborative Discovery Phase Projects that meet the Innovation Challenges to help transform gas and electricity networks.
Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Round 5 Discovery C6
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £30 million exclusive of VAT, for collaborative Discovery Phase Projects that meet the round 5 challenges. This funding is from the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Northern Ireland