Funding and grants
Business grants
Featured business grants and funding calls
We’re changing the way we support businesses. We’ll still be delivering a few targeted grants, but we’ll also be focusing on helping you find the right grant funding from our partners and external sources. Find out more about our approach to grants, as well as the funds that are currently available.
Our current grants
SMART: SCOTLAND grants
The SMART: SCOTLAND grant is a research and development (R&D) grants that aims to support high-risk, highly ambitious projects. It's used to conduct feasibility studies.
Regional Selective Assistance funding
RSA is a discretionary grant aimed at encouraging capital investment and job creation in Assisted Areas of Scotland.
The grant is available for businesses who want to develop a project in these areas.
Funding calls programme 2022-23
Search new funding calls operated by Scottish Enterprise and other public sector organisations. This list is updated regularly and subject to change. Last updated March 2023.
Value: £ variable
Funded by: Scottish Government
Operated by: Scottish Enterprise
This call is now open
The Green Heat Innovation Support Programme is looking for innovative ways to deliver a decarbonised heat supply chain, supporting projects with grants of between £30,000 and £50,000.
We’re searching new products or processes that can improve the thermal performance of heated buildings at a price which is affordable to consumers.
Value: £ variable
Funded by: Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise
Operated by: Scottish Enterprise
This call is opening September 2023
The CETPartnership is a £5 million transnational research, technological development and innovation funding programme designed to boost and accelerate energy transition across 30 countries.
You can access information sessions and submit programme queries now ahead of the start date in September 2023.
Value: £ variable
Funded by: Scottish Government
Operated by: Scottish Enterprise
This call is open.
Scotland’s CO2 utilisation sector is new and emerging.
The aim of this challenge is to support Research and Development (R&D) to assist companies in developing technology that will lead to new commercial uses for CO2, and the creation of jobs, as part of our journey to a low carbon economy.
Value: £ variable
Funded by: Scottish Government
Operated by: Scottish Enterprise
This call is open.
RSA is a discretionary grant aimed at encouraging capital investment and job creation in Assisted Areas of Scotland, classified as Tiers 2 and 3.
The grant is available for businesses who want to develop a project in these areas.
Value: £ variable
Funded by: Scottish Government
Operated by: Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise
This call is open.
There’s £17.6 million available for projects that can develop green heat solutions or have ideas to boost manufacturing and R&D in this area.
The Green Heat Innovation Support Programme (GHISP) provides support through large R&D and capital grant funding, feasibility study support, and CAN DO Innovation Challenge funding.
Value: £ variable
Funded by: Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
Operated by: UKRI
This call is open.
Businesses can apply to work with an academic partner to address a particular innovation challenge.
Project costs vary greatly, but typically a small or medium sized business might expect to contribute £35,000 a year and a large company in excess of £50,000.
Value: £ variable
Funded by: European Space Agency (ESA)
Operated by: ESA
This call is open.
Businesses from any sector can apply throughout the year, and the amount of funding may vary according to the project.
The goal of this activity is for the business to develop a new commercial service that uses one or more space asset, such as:
- Satellite communications
- Earth observation
- Satellite navigation
- Human spaceflight technologies
- Other space assets
Value: £ variable
Funded by: Defence & Security Accelerator (DASA)
Operated by: DASA
This call is open.
Cycle closing dates for 2023-2024:
25 April 2023
14 June 2023
5 September 2023
29 November 2023
6 March 2024
DASA open call is looking for innovative ideas to improve the defence and/or security of the UK.
Closed funding calls
Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund (LCMCF) is now paused. Applications paused from 4 April 2023.
Zero Emissions Heavy Duty Vehicles is now closed to new applications. Applications closed 20 October 2022.
Green Heat Hub Grand Challenge is now closed to new applications. Applications closed 18 November 2022.
Many of the funds promoted on this page are delivered as funding calls, which not everyone is familiar with. Funding calls:
- Are often delivered in a series of funding rounds that open and close for a fixed amount of time
- Are aimed at supporting businesses with specific projects or activities
- Have clear criteria or outcomes that businesses should meet – such as creating new jobs, creating jobs in target areas, developing green technologies, or implementing socially conscious business practices
- Are competitive – applicants need to show why they should get a portion of the fund and how they’ll meet the specified outcomes. Not everyone who is eligible will win funding, as funds only go to the highest scoring applicants.
Changes to our grants
Our new funding model is simpler and more inclusive. It’s changing the way we support businesses, and will help create jobs and promote a greener economy. We'll be promoting funding calls and grants from across our partner organisations, as well as delivering a few targeted funds of our own.
Outside of our calls and grants, we’re keen to continue talking to you about your projects. We'll do our best to provide a wide range of non-financial support as well as helping you access other funding across the public sector.
Find more grant options at Find Business Support
The grants we’ve listed are our own grants or featured calls from partners that we expect to drive Scotland’s progress towards a greener, fairer economy. You’ll find a full list of grants, funding calls and other types of funding available across Scotland at the Find Business Support website. These may cover a wider range of sectors, activities and regions.
Stay informed about future grant support
Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed about future grant support, funding opportunities, events, webinars and industry news.
Talk to us about your project or business growth plans
Not sure what funding you need or how we can help? If you’re an established business in Scotland, get in touch to tell us a bit about your business and what you’re planning. We’ll help point you towards the right support, which could include external funding, non-financial support from our experts and, in some cases, our own funding.
Other types of funding
European funding
These funds are typically highly competitive, but can offer big sums to the right businesses. Find out what’s available and how we can help you access it.
Investment funding
Looking for investors and investment funding? We can help you access a variety of sources of funding, including our own co-investment funds, as well as help your business prepare for investors.
Funding for businesses in the Highlands and Islands
If your business is based in the Highlands and Islands, you’ll find more relevant support on the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) website.