Where to look for business grants
GOV.UK’s finance and support finder lets you narrow support by factors including location, business stage, industry and type of assistance. The separate Find a grant service lists government grant opportunities.
Search with the location where the project will happen, not only the registered office. Check local council and devolved-nation support routes as well, because a scheme listed for one area is not necessarily available elsewhere.
| Your need | Search approach | Check before proceeding |
|---|---|---|
| Starting a business | Filter for not-yet-trading businesses or start-ups | Whether pre-trading applicants and your legal structure qualify |
| Equipment or productivity | Search by project purpose and location | Eligible purchases, supplier requirements and approval before spending |
| Innovation | Look for a competition matching the technical project | Scope, collaboration rules and assessment criteria |
| Training or advice | Include non-financial support in the search | Who receives the service and any contribution required |
| Local expansion | Check council and regional programmes | Project location, jobs, premises and match funding |
Separate grants, loans and other support
Read the funding mechanism before considering the headline amount. A grant, repayable loan, equity investment and tax relief have different conditions and cash-flow effects.
A government-backed loan is not a grant. Check who owes the debt, the repayment terms and any security or guarantee rather than assuming government involvement removes the obligation.
Check eligibility before writing an application
Confirm the applicant type, location, sector, trading history, project scope and closing date. Save the current guidance and the version of the application form you use.
Check whether the scheme requires approval before any purchase order, deposit or other commitment. Spending too early may make a cost ineligible under the scheme’s rules.
- Eligible expenditure and excluded costs.
- Grant percentage, maximum award and applicant contribution.
- Application deadline and whether funding can close early.
- Project start, completion and claim deadlines.
- Other public support that must be declared.
- Reporting, procurement and record-retention conditions.
Model match funding and the timing of payment
Build a cash-flow plan using the actual award terms. Ask whether payment is upfront, staged or reimbursed after eligible expenditure and evidence.
As an illustration, a grant covering 40% of a £25,000 eligible project would contribute £10,000, leaving £15,000 to fund elsewhere. This is an arithmetic example, not an advertised scheme or an eligibility promise.
If payment is reimbursement-based, the temporary cash requirement can be larger than the final contribution. Allow separately for costs that the award does not cover.
Prepare evidence and assess whether applying is worthwhile
Create a project plan showing the problem, the proposed work, costs, timetable and measurable outcomes. Use supplier quotes and business records that support the actual request.
Compare the likely benefit with application time, adviser fees and reporting work. Do not start an unsuitable project simply because part of it might receive funding.
- Keep a versioned budget and supporting quotations.
- Document how the business will fund its contribution.
- Assign an owner for delivery and claims.
- Read repayment or clawback conditions before accepting an award.
Check current availability at the official source
This page explains how to find and assess support; it is not a live inventory of open awards. A scheme can change, reach its budget or close between visits.
Confirm status, dates and application routes on the scheme’s own official page. Treat an unqualified promise of guaranteed grant approval as a reason to seek evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a grant available to every UK small business?
Do not assume so. Eligibility and availability depend on the scheme, applicant and proposed project.
Use official finders and read the individual funding notice.
Do grants have to be repaid?
An award may not require ordinary loan repayments, but the grant agreement can allow recovery if conditions are breached. Read the award terms, including reporting and clawback provisions.
Can I include VAT in a grant application?
Check the scheme’s treatment of VAT and your own recovery position. Do not assume that every part of a supplier invoice counts as eligible expenditure.