North East Ambition, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
A North East Ambition programme that helps businesses and employers work with schools and colleges, and recruit young people through apprenticeships, T Level placements and Higher Technical Qualifications. Includes employer partners, work experience, school governance and business growth support.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
An industry-led cluster group supporting growth and competitiveness of the automotive sector in the North East of England, offering networking, skills, innovation and promotion. Membership gives promotion of member capabilities and connections to supply chain opportunities.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Recruitment services from Newcastle University's Careers Service to help employers recruit placements, internships, graduates and part-time staff. The university offers a bespoke talent attraction plan for recruiters.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Business support and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses, including confidential 1-to-1 advice, workshops, masterclasses, coaching, mentoring and CMI management and leadership qualifications.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Access to business advice, short courses, apprenticeships, start-up support, managed offices, research services and funding and collaboration opportunities from the University of Sunderland. Aimed at organisations working with the university.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
NNERCCU, North East Regional Cyber Crime Unit (NERCCU)
Free cyber security advice and guidance for businesses in the North East, including Cyber Basic Review, Cyber Exercising, Police Cyber Alarm and staff training and awareness.
Amount
Free
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
University of Sunderland's Centre for Graduate Prospects helps employers access students and graduates for recruitment through vacancy advertising, profile raising and recruitment advice.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Free, fully funded training to help employers create a more inclusive workplace, covering topics such as diversity, disability confidence, mental health awareness and equality compliance.
Amount
Fully funded
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Free support for small businesses recruiting and managing apprentices, including guidance on the Digital Apprenticeship System, funding, training providers and recruitment.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 10/10Local Landscape rating 10 out of 10
North East Screen, North East Screen Industries Partnership
A regional screen agency providing funding, resources and support for filmmakers, producers and creative professionals to start and grow careers in the film and TV industry.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside and York Universities, Northern Accelerator, North East Growth Hub
Support for academics and business leaders to create spin-out businesses from university research, including training, funding, investment and business growth support.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Free vacancy advertising service for graduate jobs, internships, placements and work experience, plus in-person and online recruitment events throughout the year.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
An employer accreditation and support initiative recognising organisations that lead with fairness, opportunity and respect through fair pay, secure work, inclusive practices and opportunities to grow.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Fully-funded training courses for Sunderland businesses and employees, from one-day masterclasses to accredited courses, with bespoke options available.
Amount
fully-funded courses
Deadline
Open all year
Area
SunderlandRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
An accredited learning and development agency offering enterprise skills support for students, graduates, jobseekers, early stage founders and entry level staff, including workshops, courses, network events and pitching competitions.
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
A range of specialist services and facilities, including research, consultancy, clinical trials, studentships, equipment and Business Innovation Centres, to help businesses find solutions to real-world challenges.
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
For all of North East England, or the whole North 4 schemes
Support for small and medium-sized manufacturers in the North East and Tees Valley to adopt digital technology, with a digital roadmap, workshops, grants for expert technical advice and for new software or equipment, and fully-funded Digital Interns.
Amount
Grants to help purchase new software and/or equipment (up to 50% of the overall cost); grants for expert technical advice (amount not stated)
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A learning and development agency, empowering enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in collaboration with government, employers, education and community organisations.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A free, flexible award that recognises employers in the North East and Cumbria for addressing health issues in the workplace. Each employer who signs up is supported by a dedicated Workplace Health Improvement Specialist.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
National schemes 39 schemes
Open to businesses across England or the UK, including Sunderland.
Share of up to £110 million from UKRI for UK registered organisations to deliver research and develop future leaders, for business and non-academic applicants.
Amount
£100,000 to £3,000,000
Deadline
Closes 4 November 2026 at 11am (3 days)
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
Grants of up to £12,000 to enable hands-on collaboration between a skilled master and a talented apprentice looking to start a career in craft, supplementing the apprentice's wage.
Amount
Up to £12,000
Deadline
Closes 17 February 2027
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10