Department for Business and Trade

Could Department for Business and Trade fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: From £10,000
Where they fund: uk_wide, east_midlands
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card

About Department for Business and Trade

The Department for Business and Trade is a UK government department focused on driving economic growth by making Britain the best place to do business. It supports businesses of all sizes to grow, export, and create jobs, taking a practical, data-driven approach to remove barriers and unlock opportunities. The Department funds a range of programmes that help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) start or grow exports, reimburse visa fees for scale-up companies hiring international talent, and provide growth finance for businesses in the East Midlands. It also supports innovation and skills development through capital grants for advanced manufacturing facilities. Its funding character is market-focused, aiming to catalyse systemic economic change through scalable interventions that build resilient enterprise and high-quality jobs.

What Department for Business and Trade funds

The Department funds activities that drive business growth, exports, and employment. This includes training programmes like the Export Academy, which helps SMEs start or grow their exports, and project delivery schemes such as the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups, which supports companies hiring international talent. The Invest to Grow programme provides business finance support for growth and jobs in the East Midlands. Capital works are funded through the Magnet Hub Grant Scheme, which develops a UK-based facility for rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing, supporting innovation and skills development. Geographically, most programmes operate UK-wide, with some targeted at specific regions like the East Midlands.

Who can apply

The Department funds UK-based businesses, social enterprises, and some public sector and academic bodies. It prioritises small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), scale-ups, and entrepreneurs. Eligibility varies by programme: for example, the Invest to Grow programme requires organisations to be located in the East Midlands, while other programmes are open UK-wide. The Department accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. There are no faith-based restrictions.

What Department for Business and Trade doesn't fund

The Department does not provide core charity funding, individual grants, or support for non-business interventions such as social services or community welfare projects. It focuses on strategic enablers of enterprise rather than direct social services or consumer grants.

How they like to fund

The Department funds through specific programmes that support project delivery, training, and capital works. Grants are typically one-off and project-based, with a focus on scalable, market-focused interventions. The Department welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible organisations for its open programmes.

How much does Department for Business and Trade give?

Department for Business and Trade runs 4 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 38 sourced facts

Export AcademyOpen to applications

Online application form

Invest to GrowOpen to applications

£15,000 – £250,000

Expression of interest first

Magnet Hub Grant SchemeCurrently closed

Up to £20,000,000

Online application form

Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale UpsOpen to applications

£500 – £25,000

Online application form
Next deadline 2 March 2027

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Department for Business and Trade funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Helps small and medium-sized businesses start or grow their exports.

Where they fund

uk_wideeast_midlands

Costs they'll cover

TrainingProject deliveryCapital works & buildings

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Education

How to apply to Department for Business and Trade

Department for Business and Trade takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: online application form.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Department for Business and Trade could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Department for Business and Trade provide?

Department for Business and Trade runs 4 grant programmes — Invest to Grow: £15,000 – £250,000 · Magnet Hub Grant Scheme: Up to £20,000,000 · Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups: £500 – £25,000.

Where does Department for Business and Trade fund charities?

Department for Business and Trade funds charities operating in uk_wide, east_midlands.

Does Department for Business and Trade accept unsolicited applications?

Department for Business and Trade accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

How do I apply for funding from Department for Business and Trade?

Department for Business and Trade takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.