Business Grants
Browse business grants, innovation vouchers, SME programs, export support, local incentives, and growth funding.
Business grants can support innovation, expansion, export development, workforce training, energy upgrades, resilience, digital adoption, equipment, research partnerships, and local economic development. Some are run by national agencies. Others are state, city, regional, university, chamber, or foundation programs with narrower eligibility.
The first filter is business fit. Check company size, revenue, age, location, ownership, sector, legal structure, and whether nonprofits or sole proprietors are allowed. Then check cost fit. A program may fund consulting but not equipment, prototypes but not marketing, training but not salaries, or reimbursement only after approved expenses are paid.
Many business grants require more administrative discipline than founders expect. You may need tax clearance, financial statements, quotes, project budgets, insurance, procurement documentation, job-creation estimates, environmental information, or proof that the business is in good standing. A simple grant can become slow if those records are scattered.
Use this page to find current business funding leads, then verify the official rules and prepare a practical application. Funders tend to favor businesses that can explain the opportunity, the barrier, the funded activity, and the measurable result in plain language.
Current matching opportunities
These listings are limited to open, rolling, or upcoming opportunities that match this guide. Check the official source before applying.
BIRD Foundation US Israel Bilateral R&D Grant: Up to $1.5M Non Dilutive Funding, Executive Summaries Due November 23, 2026
The BIRD Foundation covers up to 50 percent of joint US–Israel industrial R&D costs, with a maximum conditional grant of $1.5 million per project and no equity taken. The next Executive Summary deadline is November 23, 2026, with approvals expected March 2027.
EIT Health Innovation Uptake Call 2026: Up to €650,000 for Digital, Data-Driven and AI Healthcare Solutions
EIT Health is offering up to €650,000 per project to consortia commercialising mature digital, data-driven or AI-powered healthcare solutions across European markets, with applications closing on 16 September 2026 at 16:00 CET.
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) 2026–2027: Up to 50% of Capital Costs for Existing Heat Networks in England and Wales
The UK Government's Heat Network Efficiency Scheme supports public, private and third-sector operators in England and Wales to diagnose and fix performance problems in existing district or communal heat networks.
Aviation's Non-CO2 Impacts on the Climate 2026: Up to £385,425 for UK Research Projects
NERC, with the Department for Transport and Department for Business and Trade, is funding collaborative UK research that reduces uncertainty around aviation's non-CO2 climate impacts and supports credible mitigation and policy decisions.
Consumer Led Flexibility for the Clean Energy Superpower Mission 2026: Up to £3 Million for UK Clean-Energy Innovation Projects
Innovate UK is offering a share of up to £25 million for UK projects developing novel digital, AI, product or service solutions that can scale consumer-led electricity flexibility by 2030.
XTF Global Innovation Challenge 2026: Global Student Prize Competition With Finalist Travel Support, Mentorship and Continuation Grants
The Xccelerate Technologies Foundation Global Innovation Challenge is a free worldwide competition for student and equivalent innovators aged 13 to 24, with project submissions due 31 August 2026 and finalist travel, visa and accommodation support for the Geneva finals.
Lawtech Grant Competition Phase III 2026: Up to £3.62 Million for UK Legal Technology Innovation and Access to Justice
The UK Ministry of Justice is seeking one UK-based provider or consortium to run the next phase of LawtechUK, supporting legal-technology growth, SME adoption, regional innovation, and improved access to legal services from November 2026 through March 2029.
Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence 2026: Up to £50,000 for Industry-to-University Science and Innovation Projects
The Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence scheme supports experienced industrial scientists and entrepreneurs to spend one day a week at a UK university on a two-year project that strengthens research translation, innovation and business understanding.
UK Space Agency Earth Observation Missions and Technology Innovation Call 1 (2026): Up to £200,000 for Early-Stage EO Hardware, Deadline 1 September
The UK Space Agency is offering up to £200,000 per project for UK-led, early-stage Earth Observation hardware and instrumentation development starting at TRL 1–4, with projects completing by 31 October 2027.
Powering the Regions Fund Safeguard Transformation Stream Round 2: $500,000–$50 Million for Australian Emissions-Reduction Projects Through 6 May 2027
The Australian Government will provide grants of $500,000 to $50 million covering up to 50% of eligible project expenditure for trade-exposed Safeguard Mechanism facilities that reduce scope 1 emissions.
Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund 2026: Up to $53 Million for AI-Native RAN Projects, Deadline September 9
NTIA's fourth Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund notice supports U.S.-based projects that develop and demonstrate secure AI-native Radio Access Network solutions, with applications due September 9, 2026.
Better Commissioning Pathways Programme 2026–2029: Up to £2.03 Million for an England-Wide VCSE Procurement Support Programme, Deadline 23 August 2026
The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport is seeking one charitable organisation or lead consortium to deliver national training and guidance that helps voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations enter public-sector supply chains in England.
Application guidance
Use the listings above as a shortlist, then build your application from the official instructions. Save the source page, deadline, eligibility rules, required documents, contact details, and any program-specific scoring criteria. If the deadline is rolling, apply early enough for review queues and budget limits. If the deadline is fixed, work backward from the closing date and leave time for recommendations, institutional approvals, financial documents, and portal errors.
Popular funding types
Business Grants FAQ
Are business grants only for startups?
No. Some support new companies, while others target established small businesses, exporters, manufacturers, local employers, or sector-specific firms.
Can grants cover payroll?
Sometimes, but many programs restrict payroll, owner compensation, overhead, capital purchases, or past expenses. Check eligible costs carefully.
What makes a business grant application stronger?
Clear use of funds, local or sector fit, credible financials, measurable outcomes, and proof that the business can complete the proposed work.