How to apply for a business grant
The steps most grant applications follow, and the mistakes that sink them.
Check you qualify before anything else
Read the eligibility rules on the funder’s own page: where the business must be, its size, how long it has traded, and what the money can be spent on. If you miss one condition the application will not be considered, however good the project.
Do not spend the money first
Most funders will not pay for anything you bought or ordered before the grant was approved. Wait for the written offer before you commit to a purchase.
Get your evidence together
Expect to be asked for supplier quotes, recent accounts or bank statements, and a short explanation of what the project will achieve, such as jobs created, costs saved or energy use cut. Use the funder’s own words for the outcomes they want, and give numbers where you can.
Mind the dates, then claim properly
Note the closing date and time, and apply early if the scheme is first come, first served. After approval there is usually a second deadline for finishing the project and claiming. Keep every invoice and proof of payment: the claim is where many businesses lose money they were awarded.
Find the grants you can apply for
This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Always check the funder’s own rules.