Local, regional and sector grants
Grants from councils, combined authorities, the devolved governments and sector bodies, often for equipment, jobs, energy saving or exporting. You do not repay them, but they are usually small and come and go.
- No security
How it works
Apart from national schemes such as Innovate UK, many smaller grants are run locally or for one sector. They are usually aimed at a local priority, such as creating jobs, cutting energy use, starting to export or buying new equipment.
- Where to look: GOV.UK has a finder for business finance and support that you can filter by region, industry and business stage, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The government's "Find a grant" service lists central government grants. Business Wales and Business Gateway (Scotland) also point to local support.
- How they work: most pay a share of a project's cost, so you pay the rest. Many pay out only after you have spent the money and sent receipts.
- Subsidy limits: grants from public bodies are subsidies. Many small grants are given as "minimal financial assistance", which is capped at £315,000 per business over three financial years. You will be asked how much you have already had.
Schemes open and close often, so check the details and deadlines of each one.
Upsides and downsides
Upsides
- Money you do not pay back, with no shares given up
- Smaller and less competitive than national schemes
- Often comes with free advice from the local business support service
Downsides
- Usually small amounts, and you pay part of the cost yourself
- Schemes open and close often, so timing may not match your plans
- Some pay only after you have spent the money
Risks
- Spending time on applications that do not succeed
- Having to repay the grant if you break its conditions, such as selling the equipment early
- Starting the project before approval, which can make the costs ineligible
What it costs
- How it is priced
- A grant towards project costs. Nothing to repay if you meet the conditions
- Costs that are easy to miss
- Your share of the project cost
- Time spent finding schemes and applying, often with no guarantee of success
- Cash to pay for the project first if the grant is paid against receipts
- Reporting, and paying back the grant if you break its conditions
Many local grants are a few thousand pounds. £315,000 is the most a business can receive as minimal financial assistance over three financial years, across all public bodies. Some larger schemes use other subsidy rules.
Does it fit?
Could fit when
- You need money for a specific project, such as equipment, growth, exporting or innovation
- You are a community or social enterprise project
- You are a smaller business, which is who most local schemes are for
Unlikely to fit when
- You need the money within weeks
- You cannot pay for the project first and wait to be repaid
- You have already had close to £315,000 in public subsidies over three years
Who can use it
- Business types: Sole trader, Partnership, Private limited company, LLP, Public limited company, Community interest company, Co-operative or community benefit society, Charity
- Open to businesses with no sales yet
- Usually limited to businesses based in, or creating jobs in, a particular area
- Many schemes are for small and medium-sized businesses only
- Each scheme sets its own rules on sectors, project types and what costs it pays for
Am I ready?
What a provider is likely to ask for. Tick what you have. Your ticks stay in this browser and nothing is stored. Checklist for all grants, tax reliefs and prizes
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- Project costed
- Your share of the cost in place
- A record of past subsidies
Regulation and protections
Public grants under each scheme's terms and conditions, given in line with the Subsidy Control Act 2022.
Types of provider: Local councils and combined authorities; Devolved governments and their business support services; Sector bodies and trade associations; Charitable trusts and foundations.
Also consider
Sources
- GOV.UK: Finance and support for your business · checked 7 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Find a grant · checked 7 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Subsidy control: a guide for beneficiaries · checked 7 October 2026
- Business Wales (Welsh Government) · checked 7 October 2026
- Business Gateway (Scotland) · checked 7 October 2026