GrantMatch
Navigation menu

Business grants in Scotland: what is open now

As of 22 October 2026, GrantMatch lists 20 live grants for businesses in Scotland from 13 funders. 0 close in the next 30 days, 12 are open all year with no fixed deadline, and 3 were added this week. Each entry links to the official source.

Listings last checked 19 October 2026. Guide checked 21 October 2026.

Scotland has its own business support system alongside UK-wide schemes. Business Gateway gives free advice to people starting and running a business anywhere in Scotland, and three enterprise agencies, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise, support businesses with plans to grow. Some of their funding is reached through an adviser rather than an open application form.

This page lists live grants tagged to Scotland that are open to limited companies, sole traders or partnerships. UK-wide business grants that Scottish businesses can also apply for are listed underneath.

Find the grants your organisation can win

Tell us about your organisation once and GrantMatch shows the grants you are most likely to win, checks your eligibility and emails you when new funding for businesses in Scotland opens. Free to start, no card needed.

Create free account

Closing in the next 30 days (0)

Nothing here closes in the next 30 days, so there is time to prepare a good bid.

Added this week (3)

Deadline

North Lanarkshire Business Growth Fund 2026-27

North Lanarkshire Council

Up to £20,000Scotland

North Lanarkshire Council’s Business Growth Fund pays half the cost of a growth project, up to £20,000, for SMEs in its key sectors. Advancing digital capabilities is one of its stated priorities. It covers capital spend and infrastructure (up to £20,000), workforce skills (up to £5,000) and exhibitions (up to £4,000). You pay first and claim the grant back. You must be working with a Business Gateway adviser, who confirms you can apply and sends the form. Panels meet monthly. The remaining 2026 deadlines are 5pm on 13 November and 5pm on 4 December. Official source: https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/business/support-businesses-north-lanarkshire/business-growth-fund. Last checked by GrantMatch on 17 October 2026.

No deadline listed

Renfrewshire Business Development Grant

Renfrewshire Council

£1,000 - £10,000Scotland

Renfrewshire Council’s Business Development Grant gives small and medium-sized businesses £1,000 to £10,000, covering up to half the cost of a growth project. It can pay for equipment or digital systems that are new to your business, property improvements, export development, exhibitions and new products or processes. Vehicles, wages, stock and routine maintenance are excluded. You must operate from commercial premises in Renfrewshire, and the project must not start before you apply. The fund is competitive, so show how the project will grow turnover or jobs. Official source: https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business/business-support/business-grants-and-loans/guide-business-grants-and-loans. Last checked by GrantMatch on 17 October 2026.

No deadline listed

West Lothian Digital Development Grant

West Lothian Council

Up to £7,500Scotland

West Lothian Council’s Digital Development Grant pays up to £7,500 towards a digital project costing up to £15,000, so it covers up to half. It is for VAT-registered businesses. It can pay for an e-commerce website, an app, software, IT and digital hardware, better IT infrastructure, or digital skills training for your team. The aims include moving your business online, increasing revenue and improving cyber security. Register your interest by email first. Budgets are limited and awards depend on the likely economic impact, so explain clearly what the project will change for your business. Official source: https://www.investinwestlothian.com/business-support/business-funding/digital-development-grant/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 17 October 2026.

Guide

Checked 21 October 2026 against the official sources linked.

Which enterprise agency covers you

Scottish Enterprise covers most of Scotland. Highlands and Islands Enterprise covers the north and west, including the islands, and South of Scotland Enterprise covers Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. If you are planning to grow, start with the agency for your area. If you are starting out or are a small firm, start with Business Gateway.

Source: Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Business Gateway (Scotland)

Council growth grants

Scottish councils run their own business grants, often for growth projects, equipment, energy efficiency or taking on staff, and some are delivered through the local Business Gateway service. Amounts are modest and budgets can run out before the stated closing date, so it pays to apply early.

Source: Business Gateway (Scotland)

Training and skills

Several grants here help with the cost of training and apprenticeships, such as CITB grants for construction employers. Check whether you need to register with the scheme first. CITB grants, for example, are for employers registered with CITB.

Energy and transport

Energy Saving Trust runs a number of Scottish Government schemes that help businesses cut energy use and move to electric vehicles. Schemes open and close as budgets are set, so check the grant page for current status before you plan around one.

Source: Energy Saving Trust

Who funds this

FunderOpen grants here
Energy Saving Trust4
CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)3
CITB2
Scottish Enterprise2
Creative Scotland1
Department for Transport1
Department for Work and Pensions1
North Lanarkshire Council1

13 different funders in total. Where a maximum award is stated, the middle value is £20,000.

By grant size

Largest awardOpen grants
Up to £2,0000
£2,001 to £10,0004
£10,001 to £100,0003
Over £100,0002
Amount varies or not stated11

All open grants (20)

No deadline listed

Check the funder's current application window before you apply.

No deadline listed

Short Course Grants

CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)

Funding amount not listedEngland, Wales, Scotland

CITB offers grants to help construction employers pay for short training courses. This includes plant operator tests and other day-to-day training needs. The grants are part of the wider CITB Grants Scheme. Construction industry employers in England can apply. The funding amount varies depending on the course type. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no set deadline. You need to be a construction employer to qualify.

+1 related call in this programme
No deadline listed

Renfrewshire Business Development Grant

Renfrewshire Council

£1,000 - £10,000Scotland

Renfrewshire Council’s Business Development Grant gives small and medium-sized businesses £1,000 to £10,000, covering up to half the cost of a growth project. It can pay for equipment or digital systems that are new to your business, property improvements, export development, exhibitions and new products or processes. Vehicles, wages, stock and routine maintenance are excluded. You must operate from commercial premises in Renfrewshire, and the project must not start before you apply. The fund is competitive, so show how the project will grow turnover or jobs. Official source: https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business/business-support/business-grants-and-loans/guide-business-grants-and-loans. Last checked by GrantMatch on 17 October 2026.

No deadline listed

CITB Grants - Apprenticeship Grants

CITB

Funding amount not listedEngland, Wales, Scotland

CITB provides grants for approved apprenticeships in construction. You must be a construction employer registered with CITB. The funding covers England, Wales and Scotland. It supports structured apprenticeship programmes to develop new talent in construction.

See all 2 rounds of CITB Grants
No deadline listed

Zero Emission Bus Market Transition Scheme

Energy Saving Trust

Funding amount not listedScotland

The Zero Emission Bus Market Transition Scheme helps bus operators in Scotland replace their fleet with zero emission alternatives. The scheme supports the transition to cleaner public transport options. Bus operators in Scotland can apply for this funding.

No deadline listed

Scottish zero emission bus challenge fund

Energy Saving Trust

Funding amount not listedScotland

The Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund helps organisations in Scotland switch their bus fleets to zero emission vehicles. Partners and collaborators can apply for grants to transition to cleaner bus alternatives. The fund is managed by Energy Saving Trust.

More grants

Deadline

North Lanarkshire Business Growth Fund 2026-27

North Lanarkshire Council

Up to £20,000Scotland

North Lanarkshire Council’s Business Growth Fund pays half the cost of a growth project, up to £20,000, for SMEs in its key sectors. Advancing digital capabilities is one of its stated priorities. It covers capital spend and infrastructure (up to £20,000), workforce skills (up to £5,000) and exhibitions (up to £4,000). You pay first and claim the grant back. You must be working with a Business Gateway adviser, who confirms you can apply and sends the form. Panels meet monthly. The remaining 2026 deadlines are 5pm on 13 November and 5pm on 4 December. Official source: https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/business/support-businesses-north-lanarkshire/business-growth-fund. Last checked by GrantMatch on 17 October 2026.

Deadline

Transferable Audio-Visual Equipment on Rail Replacement Coaches

The Department for Transport

Up to £99,999England, Wales, Scotland, North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England

The Department for Transport is offering up to £2 million in grant funding to help coach operators buy transferable audio-visual equipment for rail replacement services. The equipment lets coaches give clear, audible and visible journey information, including next stop announcements, as the Public Service Vehicle (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 require. Full requirements apply from 1 August 2026. The grant reimburses up to 75% of the cost of the equipment. It suits coach operators in England, Scotland and Wales who run, or are able to run, rail replacement services. Operators with recent rail replacement activity may be eligible for higher levels of support, in line with their level of service. Screens and portable induction loops can also qualify, as long as they move easily between vehicles and either produce compliant journey information or support equipment that does. The scheme is open now and closes at 12pm (midday) on 18 December 2026. It runs for six months, or until the funding is fully allocated, so it may close sooner. Applications are assessed weekly as they arrive, and the page says you can expect a decision within about a week. Funding is paid after purchase. You need to cover the upfront cost yourself and provide evidence of purchase. Equipment that needs permanent fitting to a vehicle is not eligible. Only one successful application is allowed per applicant, and meeting the criteria does not guarantee funding. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/transferable-audio-visual-equipment-on-rail-replacement-coaches-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Deadline

Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for residential landlords

Office for Zero Emission Vehicles

Up to £100,000England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England

This grant helps landlords pay for electric vehicle chargepoints at residential properties. It covers 75% of the cost of buying and installing chargepoints, up to a maximum of £500 per socket. You can receive grants for up to 200 sockets per year. It suits organisations that own or manage rented homes. That includes landlords with property to let, right to manage and residents' management companies, freeholders of blocks of flats, charities that own or manage residential property, registered social housing providers, public sector organisations, property management companies and property factors in Scotland. The aim is to help people living in flats, rental accommodation and apartment blocks to use electric vehicles. The property can be in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Properties in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man are not eligible. You must be registered at Companies House or VAT registered with HMRC. Each parking space must be off-street, private, clearly defined and accessible to your tenant. The scheme is open now and closes on 31 March 2027 at 11:59pm. Funding is confirmed until that date. The government reserves the right to end or change the scheme, and aims to give 4 weeks' notice if it does. Here is the key caveat. Do not install the chargepoint before the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) confirms you are eligible, or you cannot apply. You must also use an OZEV-authorised installer and an eligible residential chargepoint. The grant cannot be given where installation is a mandatory requirement, for example under building regulations or a planning condition. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-and-infrastructure-grants-for-landlords-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Get alerts when new grants open

Tell us about your organisation once and GrantMatch shows the grants you are most likely to win, checks your eligibility and emails you when new funding for businesses in Scotland opens. Free to start, no card needed.

Create free account
Deadline

Plug-in Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Grant

Department for Transport

Up to £2,500England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

The Plug-in Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Grant helps with the up-front cost of new electric wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). It is funded by the Department for Transport, and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) sets the grant levels. Grant rates are up to £2,500 for each eligible vehicle. If you work for a vehicle dealership or manufacturer, you apply for the grant through an online portal. Some WAVs can be sold at a 35% discount. The seller includes the discount in the purchase price, and the maximum discount is £2,500. The aim is to make it easier for disabled passengers to get around. To qualify, the vehicle must be converted from a passenger vehicle (category M1), have zero tailpipe CO2 emissions and be able to travel at least 112km (70 miles) without any emissions. Its recommended retail price must be under £50,000, including VAT but not including conversion or delivery fees. The vehicles that can be converted are the Citroen e-Berlingo, Citroen e-Spacetourer Business M and XL, Peugeot e-Rifter and Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life Combi. The grant covers new WAVs at first registration. Conversions done before registration can apply. Conversions done after registration cannot. End customers are limited to 20 orders per financial year. Applications opened on 6 April 2026 and close at 11:59pm on 5 April 2027. There are only a limited number of grants, so find out how many are available before you apply. OZEV reviews grant levels regularly, and both the amounts and the criteria can change at its discretion. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/plug-in-wheelchair-accessible-vehicle-grant-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Deadline

Youth Jobs Grant

Department for Work and Pensions

£3,000England, Wales, Scotland, North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England

The Youth Jobs Grant helps employers in Great Britain recruit young people who may otherwise find it hard to enter the labour market. It is part of the Youth Guarantee and is run by the Department for Work and Pensions. It is meant to add to your existing recruitment activity, not replace it. You can receive £3,000 for each qualifying job outcome. The money is paid in stages. You get £1,800 from 6 weeks and £1,200 after 18 weeks, once earnings have been verified through HM Revenue and Customs Real Time Information. The young person you hire must be aged 18 to 24, on Universal Credit and out of work for at least 6 months. The job must be registered with the scheme. The page says the scheme is expected to be open to employers of all sizes and sectors. To take part, you must operate in Great Britain, be registered with HMRC, be actively trading with at least six months of trading history, and pass due diligence checks. A central team at the Department for Work and Pensions assesses applications before your participation is confirmed. The scheme opened on 30 June 2026 and closes to new participants on 31 October 2028 at 11:59pm. It aims to support up to 60,000 job opportunities over three years. One practical point: no payment is made until all relevant checks are complete. The government also reserves the right to end or change the scheme. If that happens, it aims to give 4 weeks' notice and will honour claims made before any public announcement. Official source: https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/youth-jobs-grant-2. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Deadline

Business Support for Scotland

Scottish Government

Up to £10mScotland

Business Support for Scotland is a signposting service rather than a single pot of money. It points you to FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot, where you can see grants, loans, funding, advice and other support for businesses in Scotland, all in one place. The support comes from over 100 Scottish public sector organisations. It suits businesses of all sizes and sectors, from start-ups and sole traders to large enterprises. It also includes support for social enterprises. The options go beyond money. You will find funding, grants and loans, and also advice, consultancy, networking opportunities, training, webinars and more. You can browse everything that is available. You can also search for services and events and narrow the results to fit your needs. The listing opened on 23 September 2022 and is open now. The closing date shown is 30 September 2030. One practical point. The selection changes regularly as new services are launched and old ones are removed. It is worth looking again if you do not find a good fit first time. You can also sign up to the FindBusinessSupport newsletter for a round-up of the latest public sector business support in Scotland. The Find a grant page also offers a way to sign up for updates about this listing. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/business-support-for-scotland. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

No deadline listed

West Lothian Digital Development Grant

West Lothian Council

Up to £7,500Scotland

West Lothian Council’s Digital Development Grant pays up to £7,500 towards a digital project costing up to £15,000, so it covers up to half. It is for VAT-registered businesses. It can pay for an e-commerce website, an app, software, IT and digital hardware, better IT infrastructure, or digital skills training for your team. The aims include moving your business online, increasing revenue and improving cyber security. Register your interest by email first. Budgets are limited and awards depend on the likely economic impact, so explain clearly what the project will change for your business. Official source: https://www.investinwestlothian.com/business-support/business-funding/digital-development-grant/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 17 October 2026.

No deadline listed

National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations

Creative Scotland

Funding amount not listedScotland

The National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations is run by Creative Scotland. It is for organisations that want funding to carry out creative activity. The page describes this as a specific project or production, a programme of creative work, or a period of research and development. The fund sits within Creative Scotland's Open Funding route. Creative Scotland describes this as one of its key funding routes. It supports the wide range of activity started by organisations, artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. There are separate strands for organisations and for individuals. Each strand has its own budget, and applications are considered at separate panels. This means organisations are not competing with individuals for the same pot of money. The page lists the fund as open. One practical point to note. This fund is for organisations only. If you are an individual artist, writer, producer or other creative practitioner based in Scotland, the page points you to the Open Fund for Individuals instead. Make sure you choose the right strand before you start, so your application goes to the right panel. It suits organisations with creative work to deliver in Scotland, whether that is a one-off project, a wider programme or time set aside for research and development. Official source: https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/open-funding. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

UK-wide business grants also open in Scotland

These are open to businesses anywhere in the UK. Check each one for its full rules.

Deadline

UK Defence Innovation Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 2

UK Defence Innovation

Up to £350,000National (UK-wide)

Funding of up to £350,000 for up to 12 months (or £150,000 for testing-only proposals) to address security challenges faced by government. UK and international suppliers, from start-ups to universities, can apply. Read the full details and apply through the link on the Innovate UK Business Connect opportunity page. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/uk-defence-innovation-security-open-call-2026-cycle-2/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline

Arts Council England Music Creators Growth Fund

Arts Council England

£10,000 - £20,000National (UK-wide)

Grants of £10,000 to £20,000 for professional music creators (artists, bands, composers, DJs, producers, songwriters) to grow their careers over up to 18 months. At least 25% cash match funding is needed. UK-based music creators with three years of practice and at least £5,000 music income in a year can apply. Those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can apply only for international activity. Get an approved profile on the Arts Council grants system (up to 10 working days), then apply by 29 October 2026. Round Two runs 6 January to 3 February 2027. Official source: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/music-growth-package/who-we-support-music-creators. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline

eBay Up and Running Grants

eBay UK

£10,000National (UK-wide)

Up to 20 eBay sellers win a £10,000 cash grant plus six months of account management, to grow their business or support young talent. eBay sellers aged 18 to 30, or businesses that invest in young people through jobs, apprenticeships or placements, can apply. Apply on the eBay Seller Centre page by 5pm on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/grow-your-sales/up-and-running-grants. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline

Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 11, business and non-academic

Innovate UK Business Connect

£100,000 - £3mNational (UK-wide), England

Future Leaders Fellowships Round 11 backs talented individuals with the potential to become future leaders in research and innovation. This strand is for fellows hosted by business and non-academic organisations. It is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and run by Innovate UK. Up to £110 million is available across the round, and a proportion of that supports this strand, subject to enough high quality applications being received. You can request a grant of between £100,000 and £3 million. Up to 70% of costs can be covered, depending on project type and business size. Projects last four years, with an option to extend for a further three years, and must not start before October 2027. Fellows also get access to tailored opportunities to build their leadership skills. Proposals are welcome from all areas of research and innovation. That includes arts, humanities and social sciences, the five critical technologies in the UK's Science and Technology Framework, and multidisciplinary work. Your project must go beyond business as usual and show clear novelty. It needs a clear leadership development plan and explicit host commitments, such as protected time, access to facilities and senior mentorship. You do not need a PhD, and researchers from outside the UK can apply with an eligible UK host. Applications close at 11:00am on 4 November 2026. Competition is tough. Innovate UK says experience from similar competitions suggests a 13% chance of success. If your total project cost is likely to exceed £1.4 million, you should email the fellowship team before applying. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/future-leaders-fellowships-round-11-business-and-non-academic/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Deadline

CfI: Battery innovation for dual use & defence Phase 1

Innovate UK, UKRI, BIST

£20,000 - £50,000National (UK-wide)

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, through Innovate UK, is investing up to £2 million (including VAT) in this Contracts for Innovation competition on battery innovation for dual use and defence. It aims to adapt battery technologies that are maturing in the civil market to defence challenges, strengthen UK battery manufacturing and secure critical dual-use supply chains. This is Phase 1 of a possible two-phase competition. It is run as a contract, not a grant. Each contract is worth £20,000 to £50,000 including VAT, and projects must start by 1 January 2027, last up to three months and end by 31 March 2027. Projects must focus on battery cell manufacturing, or battery pack design and manufacturing, suited to a defence environment, as industrial research. Phase 2 is not yet confirmed and may be open to new applicants. Applications opened on 28 September 2026 and close at 11am on 4 November 2026. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/cfi-battery-innovation-for-dual-use--defence-phase-1-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline

UK Space Agency International Bilateral Fund: Call 3

UK Space Agency

Up to £1.5mNational (UK-wide)

Grants of up to £1.5 million per project to build international partnerships on shared space priorities. UK organisations working with international partners can apply. Read the full details and apply through the link on the Innovate UK Business Connect opportunity page. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/uk-space-agency-international-bilateral-fund-call-3/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline

HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Smart Glasses for Mapping

HMGCC Co-Creation

Up to £60,000National (UK-wide)

Funding to build an edge device that turns off-the-shelf smart glasses video and audio into 3D maps. Total budget up to £60,000, usually across two solution providers. UK companies and research organisations can apply. Read the full details and apply through the link on the Innovate UK Business Connect opportunity page. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/hmgcc-co-creation-challenge-smart-glasses-for-mapping/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline

Simply Business Second Act Entrepreneur Fund

Simply Business

£10,000National (UK-wide)

A competition awarding £10,000 plus business coaching to five entrepreneurs aged over 40. UK residents aged over 40 who run, or want to start, a business can enter. Enter through the form on the Simply Business page before 23:59 on 12 November 2026. Official source: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/campaign/second-act-entrepreneur-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

See every small business grant (27 in total)

Questions

Are there business grants in Scotland?

Yes. GrantMatch lists 20 live grants tagged to Scotland that are open to businesses today, from 13 funders, and UK-wide schemes are listed further down the page. 12 of the Scottish grants have no fixed deadline.

Where can I get free business advice in Scotland?

Business Gateway offers free advice to new and existing businesses across Scotland. Businesses with plans to grow may also be supported by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise or South of Scotland Enterprise, depending on where they are.

Can a sole trader in Scotland get a grant?

Some schemes accept sole traders, especially council grants for small and new businesses. Each grant page says which kinds of business the funder accepts.

Can Scottish businesses apply for UK-wide grants?

Many UK-wide schemes are open to businesses anywhere in the UK, including Innovate UK competitions, which are generally open to UK-registered businesses. We list UK-wide business grants below the Scottish ones.

How do you check these grants?

We collect grants from official funder pages, GOV.UK, councils and community foundations, and remove them when they close. Each grant page links to its source and shows when we last checked it. Always confirm the details with the funder before you apply.

Start your free GrantMatch account

Tell us about your organisation once and GrantMatch shows the grants you are most likely to win, checks your eligibility and emails you when new funding for businesses in Scotland opens. Free to start, no card needed.

Create free account

Related pages

Sources and how we check

We collect grants from official funder pages and remove them when they close. Each grant page links to its source and shows when we last checked it. Always confirm the details with the funder before you apply. Guide sources: