“What grants are available for my business?” is the question we hear most often. The answer is always: it depends. But here is a useful map of the main active schemes in 2026, what they fund, and which types of businesses are realistically in scope.
This is not an exhaustive list. It is the schemes that come up most consistently in advisory conversations, with honest notes on fit.
Innovate UK Smart Grants
The flagship UK R&D grant scheme, run by Innovate UK (part of UKRI). Smart Grants fund genuine research and development — projects with a specific technical challenge where the outcome is uncertain.
Funding typically ranges from £25,000 (feasibility studies) to £500,000 (industrial research projects), with grant rates around 70% for SMEs. Rounds are competitive and open throughout the year.
Who it suits: technology businesses, manufacturers, health tech companies, and others doing genuine R&D. The key test — are you trying to find out whether something technically unknown is achievable? If yes, it is worth assessing your fit properly. Who it does not suit: businesses developing a product whose technical route is already known, or those doing market research, sales, or commercial rollout.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
UKSPF is managed at a local level — each local authority or combined authority has its own investment plan and grant programmes. This means there is no single national application. You need to check what is open in your area.
Broadly, UKSPF funds business support, skills, communities, and local infrastructure. Business grants through UKSPF often cover capital equipment, retrofitting, or entering new markets. Who it suits: small businesses in eligible areas, particularly those investing in productivity, sustainability, or growth in their local economy. To find yours: search for your local authority’s UKSPF business grants page, or ask your local Growth Hub what is currently open.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) fund collaborative projects between businesses and universities, covering a proportion of a graduate or researcher’s salary. These are not straightforward grants — they require an academic partner and a defined collaborative project — but they represent significant support for businesses looking to bring in research expertise alongside their development work.
Arts Council England
Arts Council England funds creative activity with public benefit. Their main programmes — National Lottery Project Grants and National Portfolio Organisation funding — support organisations and individuals in the arts, screen, and culture sectors.
Project Grants range from £1,000 to £100,000 and are open throughout the year. Who it suits: creative organisations, freelancers, producers, and arts businesses delivering work with genuine cultural value. What it does not fund: commercial entertainment, private events without public benefit, or organisations without a clear artistic purpose.
Eurostars
Eurostars is a European programme for R&D-performing SMEs, run through EUREKA. UK companies can still participate post-Brexit, with Innovate UK as the UK partner. Projects are cross-border — you need at least one partner in another Eurostars country. Who it suits: technology SMEs doing R&D who have, or can find, a natural research partner in another participating country.
NIHR (Health and Care Research)
The National Institute for Health and Care Research funds health, public health, and social care research. Who it suits: organisations and researchers working on evidence-based health or care improvements. Usually requires NHS or academic involvement.
A few things worth noting
Grants change. Some of the schemes listed above open and close on different schedules. What is open today may not be open in three months. Rounds fill up. Priorities shift. The best source of current information is the funder’s own website, not a third-party list.
Eligibility is specific. A scheme’s eligibility criteria are not just guidelines — they are tested at assessment. Do not assume you qualify because your business type is broadly covered.
Match funding matters. Most schemes require you to fund a portion yourself. Before pursuing any grant, check what percentage you are responsible for and whether your business can credibly cover it.
If you want a shortcut, we send three curated grant opportunities each month — matched to your sector, stage, and location. Free to sign up. Or if you want a direct read on whether a specific scheme suits your project, a Grant Reality Check gives you that in 15 minutes.
Tom Burke is the founder of GrantPal, a UK grant advisory service. He works with businesses across technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries to identify grant opportunities and improve application quality.