Manufacturing funding
Funding for UK manufacturers including advanced manufacturing, automation and supply chain.
137
Funding opportunities
Live & published
75
Active providers
Manufacturing
Industry focus
UK-wide
Coverage
Available funding
Innovate UK Smart Grants
Funding for game-changing, commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy.
Innovate UK Innovation Loans
Loans for late-stage R&D projects with a clear route to commercialisation.
R&D Tax Relief
R&D Tax Relief is HMRC's statutory corporation-tax relief for UK companies that take a financial risk in resolving scientific or technological uncertainty. The merged RDEC scheme (accounting periods starting on or after 1 April 2024) gives most companies a 20% above-the-line credit; loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs may instead claim under the ERIS regime at a higher effective rate.
Patent Box
Patent Box lets UK companies elect into a reduced 10% effective corporation-tax rate on profits attributable to qualifying patented inventions and certain other IP rights granted by the UKIPO, EPO or specified EEA equivalents.
Made Smarter Adoption Grant
Match-funded grants for SME manufacturers adopting industrial digital technology.
UKEF General Export Facility
Government guarantees that help UK exporters access working capital.
Scottish Enterprise R&D Grant
Grants supporting business-led R&D projects in Scotland.
Accelerated Growth Programme
Tailored support and grant funding for high-growth Welsh businesses.
Invest NI Grant for R&D
Co-funded grant supporting R&D projects by Northern Ireland businesses.
Innovate UK EDGE (Legacy Advisory Service)
Specialist innovation and scale-up advice for ambitious UK businesses.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
Part-funded partnership between a business, an academic team and a graduate to deliver a strategic project.
Apprenticeship Levy Transfer
Levy-paying employers can transfer up to 50% of their unused funds to other businesses.
Industrial Energy Transformation Fund
Capital grants to help industrial sites cut energy use and emissions.
R&D Tax Relief for SMEs
Corporation tax relief for UK SMEs carrying out qualifying R&D. Rules and rates changed for accounting periods on or after 1 April 2024 — check current guidance before relying on historical rates.
R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC)
Above-the-line R&D tax credit historically used by larger companies and now part of the merged R&D scheme. Check current guidance for applicable accounting periods.
SMART: SCOTLAND
Grant for Scotland-based SMEs to undertake technical feasibility studies or R&D projects with strong commercial potential.
SMART Cymru R&D Funding
Welsh Government R&D funding helping Wales-based businesses develop new or improved products, processes and services.
Faraday Battery Challenge
UK programme funding research and innovation to make the UK a leader in design, development and manufacture of electric vehicle batteries.
Advanced Propulsion Centre Collaborative R&D
UK programme funding collaborative R&D in low-carbon automotive propulsion technology, delivered with Innovate UK.
Aerospace Technology Institute Programme
UK joint government and industry programme funding civil aerospace research and technology, delivered with Innovate UK and the Department for Business and Trade.
Skills Bootcamps (England)
Flexible courses (up to 16 weeks) for adults, funded by the Department for Education and delivered by approved providers. Employers can use Skills Bootcamps to upskill existing staff at subsidised rates.
Energy Entrepreneurs Fund
UK grant scheme supporting development and demonstration of energy efficiency, power generation and storage technologies. Run as periodic competition rounds.
GC Business Growth Hub - Green Technologies and Services
Fully funded advisory and grant support helping Greater Manchester SMEs develop low-carbon products, services and processes.
GC Business Growth Hub - Manufacturing Service
Specialist support for Greater Manchester manufacturers including productivity, leadership and innovation advice with possible grant funding.
LCR Future Innovation Fund
Grant funding to help Liverpool City Region SMEs develop and commercialise innovative products, services or processes.
Tees Valley Business Growth Fund
Capital grant support for SMEs investing in growth projects across the Tees Valley.
Catapult Network Support
Access to the UK Catapult Network of technology and innovation centres supporting late-stage R&D and commercialisation.
GMCA Sustainable Production Fund
Capital and revenue support to help Greater Manchester manufacturers reduce emissions and energy use.
Tees Valley Investment Zone Business Support
Targeted investment, skills and innovation support linked to the Tees Valley Investment Zone.
North East Investment Zone Business Support
Investment, skills and innovation support linked to the North East Investment Zone in the green industries sector.
Manufacturing Made Smarter Innovation
Innovate UK competitions funding industrial digital technology R&D across UK manufacturing supply chains.
High Value Manufacturing Catapult
Access to UK advanced manufacturing R&D centres, equipment and expertise to support industrialisation of new products and processes.
Advanced Propulsion Centre Funding
Funding competitions supporting R&D in low-carbon automotive propulsion and zero-emission vehicle technologies in the UK.
British Design Fund
Private investor-led fund providing equity investment and mentoring for UK product design and manufacturing startups.
York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub
Business support service for York and North Yorkshire including grants, advice and net-zero support.
Workplace Charging Scheme
Voucher-based UK scheme that covers part of the upfront cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at workplaces.
WMCA Business Energy Advice Service
Free energy assessments and grant funding to help West Midlands SMEs cut energy costs and emissions.
West Yorkshire Business Support Programme
Coordinated business support across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield including advisory and grant signposting.
West Yorkshire AD:VENTURE Programme
Free business advice, mentoring and grants for early-stage businesses across the Leeds City Region.
Wales Flexible Investment Fund
Larger, longer-tenor debt and equity for established Welsh businesses, providing patient capital for growth.
Wales Business Fund
Loans and equity investments for Wales-based SMEs from the Development Bank of Wales. Replaces previous Welsh business funds.
Venture Capital Trusts (VCT)
Investor-side scheme: VCTs are listed funds that invest in qualifying UK smaller companies; investors get income tax relief and tax-free dividends.
UK Tradeshow Programme support
DBT support helping UK businesses access international tradeshows through guidance, training and signposting.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
UK-wide fund channelled through local authorities to support local communities, people and businesses. Specific business support varies by area.
UK Export Academy
Free training programme from the Department for Business and Trade to help UK SMEs build the knowledge and skills to sell internationally.
Start Up Loans
UK government-backed personal loan for people starting or growing a new business (trading less than 36 months). Includes free mentoring.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Business Support
Business support and grant programmes across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
South Yorkshire Business Productivity Programme
Fully funded support to help South Yorkshire SMEs improve productivity through leadership, operations and digital advice.
South of Scotland Enterprise — Business Support Pot
Tailored business support, grants and community wealth-building programmes for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
Sheffield City Council Business Support
Business advice, rates information and links to South Yorkshire grant programmes for Sheffield businesses.
Sheffield Business Support
Business advice, premises support and access to regional grant programmes for businesses based in Sheffield.
Scottish Enterprise Account Management
Tailored support for ambitious Scottish companies including advice, grants and international growth support.
Scottish EDGE
Scotland-based competition awarding grant and loan funding plus business support to high-growth early-stage Scottish businesses.
Scottish Development International
International trade and investment support for Scottish businesses delivered by Scottish Enterprise's international arm.
Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Grant funding for public sector bodies in England to install heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures, administered by Salix on behalf of DESNZ.
Plug-in Van and Truck Grant
Discount applied at point of sale on eligible zero-emission vans, trucks, taxis, motorcycles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles for businesses and individuals. Categories and caps change — check current guidance.
Nottingham City Council Business Support
Information and signposting for Nottingham businesses including rates relief and current grant programmes.
North East Growth Hub Support
Free business advice, toolkits and grant signposting for businesses across the North East of England.
Newcastle City Council Business Support
Council business advice, rates information and current grant programmes for Newcastle upon Tyne.
Manchester City Council Business Support
Council business support including advice on premises, rates relief and current grant programmes.
Manchester Business Growth Hub Support
Free and subsidised business support, grants and specialist advice for SMEs across Greater Manchester, delivered by the Growth Company.
Local Net Zero Hubs
Regional hubs supporting local authorities and partners to develop and deliver local net zero and clean energy projects across England.
Liverpool City Region Flexible Growth Fund
Loan and grant finance to support investment by LCR SMEs in growth projects.
Liverpool City Region Business Support
Grant, loan and advisory programmes for SMEs across the Liverpool City Region delivered via the Combined Authority's Growth Platform.
Liverpool City Council Business Support
Information, business rates advice and current grant programmes for Liverpool businesses.
Leicester City Council Business Support
Business advice, rates information and links to current grant schemes for Leicester businesses.
LeedsBID & Leeds City Council Business Support
Business support, premises and growth programmes available to Leeds-based companies through Leeds City Council and partners.
Leeds City Council Business Support
Business advice, employment support and grant signposting from Leeds City Council.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships — Management KTP
A variant of KTP focused on embedding strategic management practice from a UK business school into an SME.
Kent and Medway Growth Hub
Single point of contact for business support and grants in Kent and Medway.
Invest NI Skills Growth Programme
Co-investment programme supporting NI businesses to grow capability through training and skills development linked to growth plans.
Invest NI Selective Financial Assistance
Discretionary capital grant from Invest NI to support investment projects in Northern Ireland that create new jobs or improve productivity.
Invest NI Business Support
Range of support, grants and programmes for NI businesses including innovation, skills and export.
Invest Bristol and Bath
Inward investment and business support service for Bristol and Bath, signposting current grants and incentives.
Internationalisation Fund (England)
Match-funded grants for England-based SMEs to invest in international growth activity such as market research, translation, trade fairs and international marketing. Availability and rules may change — check current DBT guidance.
ICURe Innovate Programme
Market discovery programme funding university researchers to test commercial potential of their research and form spinouts.
Horizon Europe (UK participation)
UK participation in Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, with UKRI guarantee where applicable.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise — Business Support Pot
Account-managed support, grants and property assistance for businesses across the Highlands and Islands.
Help to Grow: Management
12-week subsidised management training programme for senior leaders of UK SMEs, delivered by accredited business schools. Government covers 90% of the course fee.
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme
Capital and revenue grants to improve the performance of existing district heating and communal heat networks in England and Wales.
Green Heat Network Fund
Capital grant scheme supporting the commercialisation and construction of new low-carbon heat networks in England.
Export Working Capital Scheme
UKEF partial guarantee to a UK exporter's bank to support working capital facilities tied to specific export contracts.
Export Insurance Policy
UKEF insurance that covers UK exporters against the risk of not being paid under an export contract due to political or commercial events.
Eureka Eurostars (UK)
International R&D funding for innovative SMEs collaborating across Eurostars member countries, with UK funding from Innovate UK.
Enterprising Barnsley Business Support
Council-led business support team offering account management, grants and property advice for Barnsley-based businesses.
ENABLE Funding (wholesale)
Wholesale programme that supports smaller lenders, asset finance providers and challenger banks to lend more to UK smaller businesses. Businesses receive funding indirectly via accredited partners.
DSL Business Finance (Microfinance Scotland)
Scotland-focused responsible finance lender providing microloans to small businesses unable to access mainstream bank finance.
DBT International Trade Advisers
Free one-to-one export advice for UK SMEs from DBT International Trade Advisers across English regions.
D2N2 Growth Hub Business Support
Free, impartial business support across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Cumbria Business Growth Hub
Free, impartial business support service for Cumbria including signposting to grants and specialist programmes.
Coventry City Council Business Support
Council business support and signposting to West Midlands grant programmes for Coventry businesses.
Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support
Single front door for business support, grants and specialist advice across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Cambridge Enterprise Spinout Support
University of Cambridge commercialisation arm providing IP licensing, consultancy and seed funding for spinouts.
Business Wales Core Advisory Service
Free business advice, start-up support and access to current grant schemes for businesses in Wales.
Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme
Welsh Government programme providing intensive 1:1 support to high-growth-potential Welsh businesses. Not direct cash funding.
Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub
Free business support service for Greater Lincolnshire including adviser support and current grant programmes.
Business Growth West Midlands
Single front door connecting West Midlands businesses to growth hubs, sector specialists and current grant schemes.
Business Gateway Local Growth Advice
Free local business support across Scotland — startup workshops, advisers and access to grants delivered by local authorities through Business Gateway.
Bristol City Council Business Support
Business support, premises and growth signposting for Bristol businesses via the City Council and West of England partners.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (Non-domestic — small businesses)
UK government grant for replacing fossil-fuel heating systems with heat pumps or biomass boilers in eligible English and Welsh properties, including small non-domestic premises within scheme rules.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Grants towards installing low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps and biomass boilers in eligible properties in England and Wales.
Birmingham City Council Business Support
Council-led information, advice and signposting for businesses in Birmingham, including current grant schemes.
Birmingham Business Support
Business advice, grants and growth support delivered by Birmingham City Council and partners for SMEs based in Birmingham.
Apprenticeship Funding (England)
Government funding to help English employers take on apprentices. Levy-paying employers fund apprenticeships through their levy account; non-levy employers receive co-investment from the government.
EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships
EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships. Co-created business-led research partnerships between UK universities and established companies. Industry must commit significant cash and in-kind support.
Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult Open Calls
Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult Open Calls. UK companies developing applications of compound semiconductor technology.
HVM Catapult Manufacturing Innovation Vouchers
HVM Catapult Manufacturing Innovation Vouchers. UK manufacturing SMEs accessing technical expertise across the seven HVM centres.
Foresight Williams Technology VCT
Foresight Williams Technology VCT. UK technology businesses leveraging advanced engineering or data. Co-managed with Williams Advanced Engineering.
Foresight Enterprise VCT
Foresight Enterprise VCT. UK SMEs raising VCT-qualifying growth capital across sectors.
Maven Income & Growth VCT
Maven Income & Growth VCT. UK SMEs raising VCT-qualifying capital, typically £500k–£10m, across regional UK markets.
Puma VCT
Puma VCT. UK SMEs raising VCT-qualifying growth capital, typically £2m–£10m.
BGF Growth Capital
BGF Growth Capital. UK and Irish SMEs with turnover £1m+ raising minority growth equity (£1m–£15m initially).
East Midlands Combined County Authority Business Support
East Midlands Combined County Authority Business Support. Businesses in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire. Programmes administered via the East Midlands CCA.
York & North Yorkshire Business Support
York & North Yorkshire Business Support. Businesses in York and North Yorkshire accessing combined-authority growth and net-zero programmes.
North Wales Growth Deal Programmes
North Wales Growth Deal Programmes. Businesses across six North Wales authorities engaging with Growth Deal pillars (energy, agri-food, digital, manufacturing).
Glasgow City Region Investment Zone
Glasgow City Region Investment Zone. Businesses investing in Glasgow City Region Investment Zone sites in advanced manufacturing and life sciences.
Innovation Accelerator Programme
Innovation Accelerator Programme. Businesses and research organisations in Glasgow, Greater Manchester, and West Midlands clusters.
Innovate UK Launchpads
Innovate UK Launchpads. UK SMEs in designated regional innovation clusters across digital, net-zero, cyber, agri-tech and creative sectors.
Innovate UK Analysis for Innovators (A4I)
Innovate UK Analysis for Innovators (A4I). UK businesses with measurement/analysis problems matched with national laboratory expertise.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). UK businesses partnering with universities and a graduate associate on a strategic innovation project.
Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (aKT)
Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (aKT). UK businesses partnering with an academic to deliver a 4-month feasibility-style KTP.
National Underwriting Fund (UKEF General Export Facility)
National Underwriting Fund (UKEF General Export Facility). UK exporters needing working capital. UKEF guarantees up to 80% of lender exposure.
Export Development Guarantee
UKEF guarantee supporting larger loans from commercial lenders to UK exporters investing in their export capability.
UKEF Export Insurance Policy
UKEF Export Insurance Policy. UK exporters protecting against non-payment by overseas buyers.
Advanced Propulsion Centre Collaborative R&D
Advanced Propulsion Centre Collaborative R&D. UK automotive supply chain consortia developing low-carbon propulsion technologies.
Automotive Transformation Fund
Automotive Transformation Fund. UK strategic investments in electric vehicle supply chains: battery, motor, hydrogen and power electronics gigaprojects.
Innovate UK Feasibility Studies
Innovate UK funding for early-stage technical and commercial feasibility studies.
Innovate UK Collaborative R&D
Innovate UK Collaborative R&D. UK consortia (at least two organisations including an SME) delivering industrial R&D projects.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Account Management
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Account Management. Account-managed Highlands & Islands businesses receiving grants, advice and investment support.
South of Scotland Enterprise Grants
South of Scotland Enterprise Grants. Businesses in Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders accessing SOSE-backed funding for growth and innovation.
Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber
Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber. Manufacturing SMEs in Yorkshire & Humber adopting industrial digital tech with grant and advisory support.
Made Smarter North West
Made Smarter North West. Manufacturing SMEs in the North West adopting industrial digital tech with grant and advisory support.
Centre for Process Innovation — Open Calls
Centre for Process Innovation — Open Calls. UK process manufacturers accessing CPI capability via Innovate UK competition and CPI-led projects.
National Composites Centre Open Programmes
National Composites Centre Open Programmes. UK composite-using manufacturers accessing NCC R&D programmes via Innovate UK or industry-led calls.
Manufacturing Technology Centre — Industry Programmes
Manufacturing Technology Centre — Industry Programmes. UK manufacturers accessing MTC R&D via Innovate UK competitions, industry-funded programmes and consortia.
Nuclear AMRC Industry Programmes
Nuclear AMRC Industry Programmes. UK manufacturers entering and scaling in civil nuclear supply chains via Nuclear AMRC programmes.
Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Calls (Open)
Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Calls (Open). UK industrial R&D consortia responding to open Challenge Fund competitions.