Free or subsidised online and in-person training in advanced manufacturing topics such as 3D printing, robotics and AI, for employed, self-employed and other learners in Lancashire.
Amount
Self-employed: fully funded. Employed: free to the learner, employer covers the cost. Small businesses: £360 per employee. Large organisations: £1,080 per employee. Prices exclude VAT.
Area
Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Lancashire, Liverpool City RegionRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
For all of North West England, or the whole North 6 schemes
Membership of a life science business network in the North of England, giving access to industry knowledge, expertise, business support and member introductions. Open to life science businesses based in the North of England.
Amount
£195 to £955
Deadline
Open all year
Area
The North of EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Support for small and medium-sized manufacturing and engineering businesses in the North West to adopt industrial digital technologies, including expert guidance, match funding, digital interns and leadership training.
Amount
Up to £20,000
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North West EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
RTC North Ltd is a support provider that delivers publicly funded business support, expert advice and innovation programmes across the North of England, for start-ups, scale-ups, manufacturers and supply chains.
Area
The North of EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A funded programme for senior leaders and managers in SMEs, mixing online and face-to-face sessions on digital strategy, identifying priorities and where digital tools can help.
Amount
Described as funded; no amount stated.
Deadline
Next cohort: January 2027
Area
North West EnglandRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
National schemes 127 schemes
Open to businesses across England or the UK, including Cheshire East.
SThe SSE, School for Social Entrepreneurs, Social Enterprise UK
A free 12-month support programme for charities, social enterprises and community organisations preparing for social investment, with a choice of a Match Trading grant or a repayable grant.
Amount
Up to £24,000
Deadline
Closes 6 November 2026 at 12 noon (5 days)
Area
EnglandRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
iX programme, Innovation Exchange, Innovate UK Business Connect, Innovate UK
A competition for solution providers to capture and verify social value delivery across defence supply chains, with up to £60,000 grant for a 3 month project. Open to businesses including SMEs and start-ups.
Amount
Up to £60,000
Deadline
Closes 6 November 2026 at 5pm (5 days)
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Grants of £5,000 to £25,000 for engaged Money Guiders Partner organisations to run projects improving customer referrals and collaboration (Lot 1) or raising awareness of money guidance (Lot 2). Each organisation can make one application per Lot.
Amount
£5,000 to £25,000
Deadline
Closes 10 November 2026 at 5pm (9 days)
Area
United KingdomRating 10/10Local Landscape rating 10 out of 10
DDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Innovate UK
A grant of £2,500 for farming, growing or forestry businesses in England to engage an external Project facilitator to support development of a full ADOPT grant application. Single applicants only.
Amount
Up to £2,500
Deadline
Closes 11 November 2026 at 11am (10 days)
Area
EnglandRating 10/10Local Landscape rating 10 out of 10
A competition run by Simply Business to win £10,000 of funding, with one-to-one business coaching from Hatch Enterprise, for five business owners aged over 40.
Amount
Up to £10,000
Deadline
Closes 12 November 2026 at midnight (11 days)
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Funding of up to €30,000 and a 9-month training programme for early-stage founders with pre-incorporation business concepts in Materials and Built Environment (fashion and architecture). Includes an in-person Startup Sprint and an online Spark Incubation Programme.
Amount
Up to €30k per project (up to €30,000 in funding per selected venture)
Deadline
Closes 16 November 2026 at 5pm (15 days)
Area
United KingdomRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
UK registered research and technology organisations or academic institutions can apply for up to £4 million to establish a hub improving the targeting and commercial impact of grant-funded manufacturing digitalisation activity.
Amount
From £3,800,000
Deadline
Closes 18 November 2026 at 11am (17 days)
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A national pitching competition where founders submit a 90 second pitch video to join regional finals, with one winner per regional event going to the London Grand Final. Open to founders with a business idea and proof of traction.
Amount
Prize: a shining trophy and founder perks (no cash amount stated)
Deadline
Closes 1 December 2026 (30 days)
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A Innovate UK competition to join a cohort of ambitious businesses that will develop solutions to decarbonise concrete and access funding and sector specific support for innovation and growth plans.
Amount
Up to £54,400
Deadline
Closes 2 December 2026 at 11am
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Funding to establish and lead an independent What Works Centre for a climate resilient UK, generating and synthesising evidence on the effectiveness of climate adaptation interventions. The project lead must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding, with at least one project co-lead from business, the third sector or government bodies.
Amount
Total funding of £21.1m available for a single project. Academic participants funded at 80% FEC. 100% of eligible costs funded for business co-leads and other participating organisations.
Deadline
Closes 15 December 2026 at 4pm
Area
United KingdomRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Funding for consortia led by higher education institutions to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship capacity, focusing on manufacturing and deep tech. Projects run 18 months and must include at least two business or industry partners.
Amount
Up to €1.25 million per project over 18 months, with a total budget of €40 million. Up to 100% of costs may be covered; co-funding is encouraged but not required.
Deadline
Closes 13 January 2027 at 3pm
Area
United KingdomRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
UUK Space Agency, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
A UK-wide space education and engagement programme using space as a context to support young people aged 4–19 with STEM learning and space careers. The UK Space Agency is seeking a consortium to deliver it.
Amount
The UK Space Agency intends to award up to £4.5 million over financial years 2027/28 to 2029/30; ESA expects to provide up to €750,000 (approximately £638,700), subject to separate contract negotiations. Total co-funding envelope approximately £5,138,700.
Deadline
Closes 23 January 2027 at midnight
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership project in which a business partner works with a knowledge base on a specific strategic innovation project, supported by an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Adviser. Grant contributions cover part of eligible project costs.
Amount
Innovate UK has committed a budget of £12.5 million for this round. Large companies may receive a grant contribution of up to 50% of eligible project costs; SMEs up to 67%.
Deadline
Closes 27 January 2027 at 11am
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A security review of a business's protective security, carried out by an appointed Security Reviewer with an in-person site visit and written report. Run by Innovate UK Business Growth for eligible organisations.
Amount
Up to £3,000
Deadline
Closes 31 January 2027
Area
United KingdomRating 6/10Local Landscape rating 6 out of 10
A part-funded security review that helps early-stage UK technology businesses identify and manage key security risks, including those linked to state threats. Participating businesses also receive a £300 Cyber Essentials voucher after the report is submitted.
Amount
Up to £2,500
Deadline
Closes 31 January 2027
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Grants of £3,000 to £10,000 for early-stage craftspeople (typically practicing 4 years or less) to develop core skills and techniques through essential training.
Amount
£3,000 to £10,000
Deadline
Closes 17 February 2027
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10