Funding Opportunities

The DTFF is a demand led grant scheme aimed at establishing a Northern Ireland wide fund to stimulate digital innovation.

DTFF seeks to address the financial barriers to the adoption of advanced digital technologies to achieve business transformation amongst small and micro-businesses.

DTFF grants are worth between £5,000 and £20,000 ex VAT and are designed to help small and micro businesses accelerate their digital transformation ambitions.

Call 5 Expression of Interest Window closed on 11 July 2025 at 12 noon.

Click here to find out more about DTFF

£1M+ of support available to businesses in Ards and North Down via new grant schemes.

Ards and North Down Borough Council has announced details of a new support programme for commercial properties located in the towns and city.

The funding of over £1M will help support thriving high streets by creating safer and more attractive streetscapes, boosting footfall, and attracting new businesses.    

Glow Up Grant - now open for applications

A value of £550,000 and is funded by the Department for Communities with a contribution from the Council.  It is for active businesses in the urban centres of Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Donaghadee and Holywood seeking to make shopfront improvements.  Grants will provide 90% funding up to a maximum amount of £2,500 per property. Closes 12noon on 1 August 2025 or sooner should all funding be awarded. For enquiries, contact glowupgrant@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

To find out more visit www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/glow-up-grant 

Funded by the Department for Communities and Ards and North Down Borough Council

Empty to Energised Grant - now open for questionnaires
A value of £460,000 and is funded by the Council.  It will provide financial assistance to property owners who want to renovate vacant properties and introduce new commercial uses.  This is the first time a scheme of this nature has been available in Ards and North Down – it will be piloted in Bangor and Newtownards, and if successful will have the potential to expand to other towns in the Borough. Closes 12 noon on Friday 1 August 2025. For enquiries, please contact emptytoenergised@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

To find out more visit https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/Empty-to-Energised

Funded by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Further initiatives to support existing businesses will be announced later in the year. 

For more information visit www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/supporting-thriving-high-streets

Mind Body Business is an initiative by Ards and North Down Borough Council that aims to benefit you, your business and your employees, by providing a series of initiatives that encourages employers to put “health” at the centre of their business agenda.  This year’s scheme is offering a small grant of financial support, up to £250 (per business), to businesses based in Ards and North Down Borough who are interested in providing a workplace health and well-being initiative for their employees.  This scheme is currently closed to applications.

Click here for further details about the Mind Body Business programme

Applications Now Closed.

*This Scheme closed to applications on 8 November 2024.*

DAERA has launched the 2024 Rural Business Development Grant Scheme which will deliver £1.55million in capital grants to support rural micro businesses across Northern Ireland.

The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs ‘Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation’ (TRPSI) Programme and is delivered in partnership with local Councils. 

Eligible rural businesses can apply for capital assistance of 50% up to the value of £4,999 for the purchase of capital equipment which will help their business to enhance sustainability or lead to growth opportunities and the creation of employment opportunities which in turn strengthen the rural economy.

Details of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme are on the DAERA website at:  

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/rural-business-development-grant-scheme-rbdgs

Only online applications can be accepted for this scheme. 

Please Note: Your business must be located in a rural area (This excludes the city of Bangor and the towns of Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood and Newtownards) & have less than 10 full time equivalent employees.

The Scheme closed to applications on 8 November 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Regeneration Team: 

Telephone – 0300 013 3333 Ext 40918 or 40893

Email – rbdgs@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk