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
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.
Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships 6 (AKT 6)
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of a £2.5 million fund to run collaborative innovation projects with businesses
Creative Industries Clusters round 2 (invite only)
Apply for funding to deliver a new Creative Industries Cluster as part of the second round of commissioning to address a clear challenge in a defined geographic region, sub-sector, or both, while focusing on creating new products, services, or experiences with strong commercial potential.
Regional Creatives Fund
A grant scheme providing funding and pro-bono support to broaden access to creative industry careers, build skills, and support underserved communities across the UK.
CfI: Earlier identification of UK children with SEN
Organisations can apply for a share of £2.5m inclusive of VAT to develop innovations that enable earlier, fairer, more reliable identification of special educational needs (SEN) in contexts where existing market solutions underperform or do not operate. This phase 1 competition focuses on developing, testing, and rolling out innovations that can be integrated into education settings for children and young people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Northern Ireland