As we settle into 2024 and return to business as usual, you may be thinking about securing funding for your small business. Funding from grants can be an incredibly useful asset for small businesses, and it's a vote of confidence for your business and its purpose. 

In this blog, we’re rounding up the top grants available this year broken down by industry. Before applying for a grant make sure your business is ready with all the necessary documents and your grant application.

Why Grants are Useful:

Small business grants offer invaluable financial support and open doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. These grants are designed to help entrepreneurs kick-start their ventures, expand existing operations, and research and develop innovative products or services.

The Difference between a Grant and a Loan:

Unlike traditional loans, grants provide non-repayable funds, meaning you won’t be burdened with additional debt or interest payments.

Grants are typically awarded based on specific criteria, such as business sector, geographical location, innovation potential, or social impact. They are intended to support businesses in achieving specific goals.

Grants available in 2024

Environment and Sustainability Grants

• Trees, Woodlands and Forestry- Woodland Creation Planning Grant- The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) offers funding of up to £30,000 for the production of a UKFS-compliant Woodland Creation Design Plan. Funding up to £30,000 

• Woodland Creation Planning Grant- The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) provides funding to landowners, land managers and public bodies (excluding Forestry England) to help cover the costs of producing a UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant woodland creation plan.
• Fisheries and Seafood Scheme- The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) delivers investment to safeguard the long-term sustainability, resilience and prosperity of the seafood sector across England.
• Tree Health Pilot- The tree health pilot scheme will test different ways of slowing the spread of pests and diseases affecting trees in England.
• Regional Capacity Building - We offer funding under this programme for activities and projects which are local or regional in coverage and which promote the understanding, management and conservation of the historic environment.
• More environment and sustainability grants.

Technology, AI, and Digital grants

• Manchester Prize- The Manchester Prize is a challenge prize for AI for public good, through which the UK Government will award £1 million annually in prizes for AI R&D.

• Public Engagement Reaction Awards- Quick-response funds of up to £10000 for timely projects on: - unexpected or important recent discoveries - significantly heightened awareness of the social, cultural or economic impacts - responding to changing national curricula or government policy related to STFC science technology. 

• Archive Skills Bursaries- The National Archives Skills Bursaries provide grants of up to £1000 per person, to archivists and heritage professionals, to support access to training and development opportunities.

• Digital Growth Grant- Specialised support for aspiring and existing tech entrepreneurs. Specifically targeting startups and scaleups tech businesses. 

• More technology grants.

New Business/ Startup Grants

• The Prince’s Trust- This Trust offers grants to young entrepreneurs aged 18-30 who are at the starting point in their entrepreneurship.

• Digital Growth Grant- Specialised support for aspiring and existing tech entrepreneurs. Specifically targeting startups and scaleups tech businesses.

• Innovate UK- Supports innovative UK businesses to realise the potential of new technologies, develop ideas and make them a commercial success. 

Business and Finance Grants

• Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) - UK- A grant contribution to help your business upgrade from broadband to high-speed cable. 

• Funding Circle- UK- Peer-to-peer loans for established SMEs in the UK.  

• Find more Business Grants applicable to certain UK regions here.

Where to Search for Other Grants:

Aside from the grants we’ve specified above, numerous resources can help you explore additional funding opportunities for your small business. 

In the UK, several reputable platforms, websites, and organisations aggregate information on grants. Websites such as Grantfinder, and Gov.uk offer comprehensive databases of grants and funding options available to businesses in various regions, industries and sectors.

Local business support networks, chambers of commerce, and trade associations can also provide valuable guidance and information on grants specific to your region or sector.

I’ve found a grant I qualify for, what next?

Finding a grant is the beginning of the journey. Most grants have an application process with varying degrees of depth. 

The next step is to begin the application process, which includes understanding your current and future goals and finances for your business. Writing a grant application can be an intimidating task, however, if you break the application up into smaller sections you may find it more manageable