Northern Ireland has a range of grants available to support individuals, businesses, charities and community groups. The main sources of grant funding are from the Northern Ireland government, the UK government, the European Union and charitable trusts and foundations. Grants can be available for a variety of purposes including starting a business, capital projects, training, job creation, research and innovation.
What types of grants are available in Northern Ireland?
Some of the main types of grants available in Northern Ireland include:
Business Start-up and Growth Grants
– Innovation Vouchers – Up to £5,000 for small businesses to work with a knowledge-based partner.
– Micro Business Grant Scheme – Up to £1,500 grant for start-up costs.
– Growth Accelerator Scheme – Up to £5,000 grant plus 12 hours specialist advice for growth-focused SMEs.
– Propel Pre-Startup Grant – Up to £15,000 grant for starting an innovative business.
– Kickstart Scheme – Up to £15,000 grant for starting a new business.
– Youth Entrepreneurship Grant – Up to £5,000 grant for young entrepreneurs.
Capital and Equipment Grants
– Rural Business Investment Scheme – Up to 40% grant for capital projects related to rural businesses.
– Village Renewal Scheme – Up to 75% funding for capital projects that revitalise rural villages.
– Local Economic Development – Funding for locally identified capital projects that could support economic growth.
– Tourism Enterprise Scheme – Up to 50% funding for tourism infrastructure and accommodation projects.
Employment and Training Grants
– Apprenticeship Challenge Fund – Up to £5,000 for employers who recruit apprentices.
– Employer Support Programme – Up to £2,000 towards training existing staff.
– SkillsFocus – Up to 50% funding for accredited vocational training.
– Technical Assistance Grant – Up to £1,000 towards professional advice.
Innovation, R&D and Technology Grants
– Innovation Vouchers – Up to £5,000 for SMEs to work with a knowledge-based partner.
– Horizon 2020 SME Innovation Grant – Up to €2.5m for R&D intensive SMEs.
– Smart Programme – Up to £250k grant for R&D projects in SMEs.
– US-Ireland Research Partnership – Funding for collaborative research projects with US partners.
Export and International Business Grants
– Export Workshop Grant – Up to £1,000 towards training workshops.
– Export Event Grant – Up to 50% of costs exhibiting at export events.
– Trade Accelerator Voucher – Up to £1,000 for specialist advice on exporting.
– Export Marketing Assistance – Up to £5,000 for export market research and promotion.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Grants
– NISEP – Up to £10,000 for business energy efficiency projects.
– Renewable Heat Incentive – Ongoing payments for renewable heat generation.
– Energy Efficiency Grants NI – Up to £20,000 for community energy efficiency projects.
Charity and Community Grants
– Community Festivals Fund – Funding towards local festivals and events.
– Community Grants Scheme – Up to £1,500 for community projects.
– Community Halls Pilot Village Renewal Scheme – Up to 75% funding to improve community halls.
– Awards for All – Up to £10k for grassroots community projects.
Who offers grants in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland Government Departments
Many government departments in Northern Ireland offer grants including:
– Invest Northern Ireland – Business start-up and growth grants.
– Tourism NI – Tourism development grants.
– Department for Communities – Community and voluntary sector grants.
– Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs – Rural and agricultral grants.
– Department for Economy – Innovation, R&D, training and export grants.
UK Government Grants
UK government grants open to Northern Ireland include:
– Innovate UK – Innovation and R&D grants.
– UK Research and Innovation – Research council grants.
– British Business Bank – Start-up loans and angel co-investment.
– Big Lottery Fund – Community and voluntary sector grants.
European Union Funds
– European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – Economic development, SME innovation and low carbon funding.
– European Social Fund (ESF) – Employment, skills and social inclusion funding.
– Horizon 2020 – EU funding programme for research and innovation.
Charitable Trusts and Foundations
There are many charitable trusts and foundations which offer grants for work in Northern Ireland including:
– Paul Hamlyn Foundation
– Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
– Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
– Lloyds Bank Foundation
– Rank Foundation
– National Lottery Community Fund
– BBC Children in Need
What are the main government grants in Northern Ireland?
Some of the main government grant programmes in Northern Ireland include:
Invest Northern Ireland Grants
– Innovation Vouchers – Up to £5,000 grant for product or process innovation in SMEs.
– Start Up Grant – Up to £15,000 grant for starting a new business.
– Skills Growth Grant – Up to 50% support for staff training.
– Export Marketing Grant – Up to £5,000 to support export market entry.
Rural Business Investment Scheme
Offered by DAERA, this capital grant contributes up to 40% of costs for projects supporting rural economic growth like expanding accommodation or attractions.
SkillsFocus
DEL scheme providing up to 50% funding for vocational skills training to help businesses upskill employees.
US-Ireland Research Partnership
Research funding to support collaboration between researchers in Northern Ireland and the US.
Village Renewal Scheme
DAERA funding up to 75% of costs for capital projects that revitalise rural villages.
Innovate UK Grants
Innovate UK delivers innovation funding on behalf of the UK government, supporting game-changing research and development.
How can businesses and charities access grants in Northern Ireland?
There are various ways organisations can access grant funding in Northern Ireland:
View grant scheme websites
Most grant providers publish information on current open grant schemes on their websites including eligibility criteria and how to apply. Monitoring relevant organisations’ sites can help spot opportunities.
Sign up for grant alerts
Many grant bodies offer e-newsletters and alerts to notify subscribers about new funding opportunities. Signing up can help receive timely notifications.
Contact local councils
Councils often have dedicated teams to provide advice and support on accessing grants, particularly for community and voluntary organisations in their areas.
Search grant databases
There are some grant finder databases like GrantTrack and FundsOnline that can be searched to find grants relevant to an organisation and its activities.
Get specialist advice
Grant application consultants and business support organisations sometimes offer support with identifying funding opportunities and making successful applications.
Network and partner
Building connections with other organisations that have been successful in winning grants can help share knowledge and good practice on grant applications.
What grants are available for starting a business in Northern Ireland?
Some of the main grants available for starting a new business in Northern Ireland include:
Invest NI Start Up Grant
Up to £15,000 grant for starting a new business in an innovation priority sector, awarded after 12 months of trading.
Invest NI Propel Pre-Startup Grant
Up to £15,000 grant available pre-startup to support tech founders developing innovative business ideas.
Invest NI Kickstart Scheme
Up to £15,000 startup grant for young entrepreneurs aged 18-30 starting a new business.
Micro Business Grant Scheme
Up to £1,500 grant towards start-up costs like equipment, marketing or consultancy.
Prince’s Trust Young Entrepreneur’s Fund
Provides grants and mentors to young people aged 18-30 starting a business.
Growth Loan Fund
Access to finance alongside mentoring to help with starting and growing a business.
Start Up Loans NI
UK government backed personal loans at a 6% fixed interest rate for Northern Ireland startups.
What training and employment grants are available in Northern Ireland?
Some of the main training and employment related grants include:
Apprenticeship Challenge Fund
Up to £5,000 grant for Northern Ireland employers recruiting new apprentices in certain subjects.
Employer Support Programme
Up to £2,000 grant for employers to support accredited training for existing members of staff.
Skills Focus Programme
Up to 50% funding towards accredited vocational training like NVQs for eligible businesses.
Steps to Work – Step Ahead
Grant for employers providing job placements of 30+ hours per week for 18-24 year olds who are unemployed or have a disability.
React Employment Support
Up to 50% salary support for NI employers recruiting eligible young jobseekers for sustainable jobs.
US-Ireland Research Partnership
Funding for mutually beneficial research collaborations between researchers in Northern Ireland and the US.
UK Government Traineeship Employer Incentive
£1,000 UK government grant for employers in Northern Ireland offering new high quality traineeships.
What grants are available from Invest Northern Ireland?
Some of the key grants offered by Invest NI include:
Start Up Grant
Up to £15,000 grant for eligible new startups in growth sectors trading for at least one year.
Innovation Vouchers
Up to £5,000 for SMEs to work with a university or college on an innovative project.
Skills Growth Grant
Up to 50% funding towards accredited training like NVQs and apprenticeships.
Export Workshop Grant
Up to £1,000 grant towards an approved export training workshop for businesses.
Trade Accelerator Voucher
Up to £1,000 for specialist advice on developing export trade.
Young Entrepreneurs Reach
Tailored support programme for young entrepreneurs including potential grant funding.
Prototype Development Fund
Up to £25,000 grant to support prototype development within young innovative companies.
What energy efficiency grants are available in Northern Ireland?
Some of the main energy efficiency and renewable energy grants include:
NISEP – Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Up to £20,000 grant funding for business energy efficiency projects.
Reconnect Scheme
Up to £10,000 grant for installing renewable heating systems in community buildings.
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
Ongoing payments for generating and using renewable heat within buildings.
Non-Domestic RHI
Incentive scheme for industrial, commercial, public sector and non-profit organisations.
Domestic RHI
Incentive payments for homeowners installing eligible renewable heating systems.
Energy Efficiency Grants NI
Up to £20,000 grant funding for community energy efficiency initiatives.
Plugged-In Households Programme
Grant scheme providing free energy efficiency improvements for low income households.
What charitable trusts offer grants in Northern Ireland?
Some of the leading charitable trusts and foundations supporting work in Northern Ireland include:
BBC Children in Need
Grants to support disadvantaged children and young people across Northern Ireland.
National Lottery Community Fund
Funds community groups and projects helping improve communities across Northern Ireland.
Comic Relief
Funding to help tackle poverty, social injustice and economic disadvantage.
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
A Quaker trust supporting efforts to create a more just and equal society.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Supporting charitable organisations delivering social change across the UK.
Lloyds Bank Foundation for Northern Ireland
Tackling disadvantage across Northern Ireland through long term funding of charities.
The Rank Foundation
Working to bridge the gap between the charitable sector and disadvantaged people.
Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland
Supporting a range of charitable causes across Northern Ireland.
Conclusion
In summary, Northern Ireland has a diverse range of grant funding opportunities available from government, EU programmes, charitable trusts and other sources. Key grants support business startup and growth, capital investments, innovation, skills development, job creation, export development, energy efficiency, community development and addressing disadvantage. Any organisation considering applying for grants should fully research the specific schemes open to applications to ensure they meet eligibility criteria and align with funding priorities.
