Getting a Grant for Your Business

4. Identifying Possible Grants

There are many different grant schemes in existence. You need to identify the grants your business or project could be eligible for.

4.1 Contact your local Business Link (0845 600 9 006) or other business support organisation.

Businesslink.gov.uk contains an extensive, free online national grants and support directory which increasingly is being supported at a regional level through a range of additional knowledge bases.

Most Business Links also have access to a European Information Centre and to GRANTfinder, a database which will identify European, national, government and charitable grant schemes. Basic information is usually free.

• Ask for a list of grant schemes (including contact details) your project may qualify for.
• A business adviser will probably be available to help you narrow down the range of schemes.

4.2 Try other sources of free or subsidised information.

• There are a number of free and subscription websites that list available grants. By answering a few questions you can pinpoint a shortlist of grants for which your project may qualify. Try www.j4bgrants.co.uk, or www.grantnet.com.
• Your bank and your trade association may also be able to offer advice.

4.3 Talk to the administrators of any grant schemes which seem to fit your situation.

These might include:

• The European Commission.Avoid calling the Commission's main switchboard. Instead, send an email or phone the section which deals with the scheme you are specifically interested in ().
• Government departments, such as the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (.
• Business Link, local councils or Regional Development Agencies.

4.4 If necessary, get professional help.

• It is probably worth paying for help to apply for any grants worth £50,000 or more.
• Experts can help you to 'model' your project so that it is more likely to meet the qualifying criteria of the grant.
• Some accountants provide grant services and there are consultants dedicated to securing external funding. Check their experience of successfully obtaining grants for businesses similar to yours.
• Negotiate the fees.Flat-rate fees may seem less expensive in the first instance, but must be paid even if you do not get a grant. Success-based fees demonstrate that the consultants will share the risk based on their confidence in your project