Business grants
Business grants: how they work and where to look
A business grant is funding you don’t have to repay. Most grants are for a specific purpose, many are competitive, and some only pay out after you’ve spent the money. This page explains how grants work, how to judge whether one is worth applying for, and where to search official sources.
Wize Finance can help you explore grant opportunities for your project and talk through whether a grant, other business finance or both may fit. Grants are awarded by the bodies that run them, and you can also search the official finders yourself.
Tell us about your project and Wize Finance can help you explore grant opportunities, and whether other finance may fit alongside them.
Find the right place to look
Four questions narrow down where to search. Each one points to an official source, not to a particular grant.
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1. Where is your business based?
England: your local Growth Hub and local council → Growth Hub finder ↗
- Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland: the national business support service (see where to search, below)
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2. What’s the project?
New products, research or technology → innovation and R&D funding → Innovation Grants
- Energy, heating, electric vehicles or cutting emissions → Sustainability Grants
- Hiring, training, equipment or exporting → GOV.UK finder, filtered by industry and region
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3. What stage is the business?
Not yet trading, start-up or established. The GOV.UK finder filters by stage.
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4. Can you fund part of the project yourself, or wait to be reimbursed?
How grants work and When a grant only covers part of the cost
Guidance only. Each scheme sets its own rules.
Innovation and R&D grants
Innovation funding in the UK is mostly run through Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), as competitions for specific themes and sectors. Projects are typically part-funded, and the business funds the rest.
Green and energy grants
Support for energy efficiency, low-carbon heating and electric vehicle charging comes from a mix of national schemes, devolved governments and local authorities, and it changes often.
How business grants work
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Tied to a purpose. A grant usually pays for a specific project or set of costs, not general running costs.
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Often only part of the cost. Many schemes fund a share of eligible costs and expect the business to pay the rest, often called match funding.
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Paid upfront or after you spend. Some grants pay in advance. Others reimburse costs after you’ve incurred them, so you may need to fund the work first.
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Usually competitive. Applications are assessed against the scheme’s criteria, and funding is limited, so applying doesn’t mean you’ll receive it.
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Conditions apply. You may need to report on progress and spending, and use the money only as agreed. If you don’t, some schemes can ask you to repay some or all of the grant.
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Windows open and close. Many schemes run as time-limited competitions or rounds.
Is a grant worth applying for?
Before you spend time on an application, check:
Where to search for business grants
Start-ups and new businesses: Some schemes are open before you start trading, but many expect a business plan, and some need you to be trading. Use the stage filter on the GOV.UK finder. For repayable options at the start, see Startup Business Loans.
Official places to search for business grants
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GOV.UK: Find government-backed support and finance for business
What it covers Grants, loans, equity, advice and awards, filterable by support type, stage, industry, employees and region
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GOV.UK: Find a grant
What it covers Government grants, with eligibility and how to apply
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UKRI / Innovate UK funding finder
What it covers Innovation and research funding competitions
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England: Growth Hubs and local councils
What it covers Local support and schemes; Growth Hubs are run by local or combined authorities
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Scotland
What it covers Business Gateway; Scottish Enterprise
Link Business Gateway: business grants basics ↗ · Scottish Enterprise: business grants and funding calls ↗
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Wales
What it covers Business Wales
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Northern Ireland
What it covers Invest NI; nibusinessinfo.co.uk
Link investni.com ↗ · nibusinessinfo.co.uk: Business Support Finder ↗
When a grant only covers part of the cost
A grant rarely pays for everything. You may need to fund the rest of the project, put in your own contribution, or carry the costs until a grant paid in arrears arrives.
That’s where business finance may help: a loan, asset finance or working capital alongside the grant. It doesn’t replace the grant.
Need finance for the rest of a project? Wize Finance can discuss other business finance your project may need, such as a loan, asset finance or working capital. Grant and finance eligibility are separate assessments.
Related: Business Loans · Asset Finance · Working Capital Loans
Grant, loan or equity?
Looking for government-backed borrowing instead? See Government Business Loans. Selling a share of the business: Equity Finance
Grants, loans and equity compared
Grant
- Do you pay it back?
- Grant No, if you meet the conditions
- Do you give up ownership?
- Grant No
- How you get it
- Grant Competitive application to a scheme
- What it pays for
- Grant The scheme’s eligible costs
- Timing
- Grant Set by scheme windows; may pay in arrears
Loan
- Do you pay it back?
- Loan Yes, with interest
- Do you give up ownership?
- Loan No
- How you get it
- Loan Lender assessment
- What it pays for
- Loan Usually set by the agreement
- Timing
- Loan Depends on the lender
Equity
- Do you pay it back?
- Equity No, but you give up a share
- Do you give up ownership?
- Equity Yes
- How you get it
- Equity Investor agreement
- What it pays for
- Equity Agreed with investors
- Timing
- Equity Often a longer process
Be wary of “guaranteed grant” offers
Official grants are listed on government and agency websites. Be careful of anyone who guarantees a grant, or asks for a fee to “release” or “access” one. Check the scheme on the official source before sharing details or paying anything. Action Fraud warns that you should never have to pay to receive a government grant.
Business grants FAQs
Do business grants have to be paid back?
Generally no, as long as you meet the grant’s conditions. Some schemes can ask for money back if it isn’t used as agreed, so read the terms.
Can Wize Finance get me a grant?
Not directly. Wize Finance doesn’t award grants, make grant decisions or guarantee eligibility: each scheme decides who receives its funding, and applications go to that scheme. What Wize Finance can do is help you explore grant opportunities that may be relevant, and discuss other business finance your project may need alongside a grant.
Are there grants for start-ups?
Some schemes are open to new or not-yet-trading businesses, but many aren’t. Use the stage filter on the GOV.UK finder, and see Startup Business Loans for repayable options.
What is match funding?
It’s the share of a project’s cost you pay yourself when a grant covers only part of it. The scheme sets how much, and what can count.
Can I get a grant for equipment?
Sometimes, if equipment is an eligible cost for that scheme. If not, Asset Finance may be an option.
How long do grant applications take?
It varies by scheme. Many run in rounds with fixed deadlines and assessment periods, so check the dates on the scheme page.
Are grants taxable?
Tax treatment can vary, so ask your accountant. Wize Finance doesn’t give tax advice.
Ready to search?
Tell us what you’re trying to achieve, and Wize Finance will review your circumstances, help you explore grant opportunities and discuss whether other business finance may fit alongside them. You can also search the official finders below.
Official finders:
Last checked 26 October 2026.