Business Grants Available in Scotland
Scotland offers extensive business grant funding through Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Business Gateway, and local authorities. Whether you're a startup in Edinburgh, a manufacturer in Glasgow, or a tech company in Aberdeen, there are funding opportunities available to support your growth.
Scottish Enterprise Funding
Scottish Enterprise provides grants for businesses with growth ambitions. Their funding programmes support innovation, research and development, capital investment, and internationalisation. Grants typically range from £5,000 to over £1 million depending on the project scope and impact.
Business Gateway Support
Business Gateway offers free advice and support to startups and small businesses across Scotland. They can help you access local authority grants, connect with funding programmes, and develop your business plan.
Local Council Grants
Scottish local councils including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee offer their own business support schemes. These often focus on creating local employment, supporting specific sectors, or regenerating particular areas.
Scotland Business Grants
56 grants found
Capital grant
A discretionary grant aimed at encouraging capital investment and wage growth to deliver a step change in Scotland’s economy, with a focus on the energy transition, scaling innovation, or boosting capital investment.
Research and development (R&D) grants
The Research and Development (R&D) Grant from Scottish Enterprise is designed to support businesses based in, or planning to locate in, Scotland by funding innovative projects that involve creating new or significantly improved products, processes, or services. Aimed at encouraging economic transformation and competitiveness, the grant helps cover a portion of eligible project costs—ranging from 25% to 50% depending on company size—thereby reducing the financial risk of innovation. To qualify, projects must be novel to the business, commercially viable, and aligned with Scotland’s goals around fair work and net zero emissions. Businesses must demonstrate that the R&D work cannot proceed—or would be significantly delayed or reduced—without the grant. After submitting an enquiry form, eligible applicants undergo a thorough assessment process considering technical feasibility, economic impact, and market opportunity.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Scotland