Grants

3. Identifying Possible Grants

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

3.1 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.

Some providers also have access to a European Information Centre and other grants databases which will identify appropriate European, national, government and charitable grant schemes.

Basic information is usually free.

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

3.2 Try other sources of free or subsidised information.

• These might include your bank, your trade association, regional development agency or the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
• 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 that you might qualify for. Try www.j4bgrants.co.uk,www.grantnet.com, www.grantfinder.co.uk orwww.grantsonline.org.uk.

3.3 Get in touch with 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 interested in).
• Government departments, such as the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
• Business Link, local councils or regional development agencies.

3.4 Ask the administrator some basic questions.

• Is the scheme still open, are funds still available and will funds be available by the time your application has been processed?
• When are grants handed out? Some schemes only pay out money to successful applicants once a year.
• What does the scheme aim to achieve? It will help to know what sort of projects have been funded in the past.
• How long is the application process, and what does it involve?