Warning Applications for Round 3 Business Grants will close on Sunday 17 November 2024. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted.

Businesses can apply for grants of between £2,000 and £20,000, towards:

  • digital technology and innovation
  • research and development
  • business growth and exports

Such as: 

  • grants for the purchase of:
    • new equipment
    • software development and implementation
    • adaptations
    • automation
    • robotics
  • grants to provide support with:
    • Intellectual Property (IP)
    • patents
    • trademarks
    • designs
    • copyrights or other options for protecting IP
    • capital funding for new machinery for new products
    • development of new services or products
  • grants to facilitate growth, promote innovation and increase productivity
  • grants to facilitate and support businesses that either wish to start exporting or are already doing so

You should read the:

After you apply

This is a competitive grants process. Grant applications will be assessed by a panel made up of Dorset Council Officers and independent reviewers. The Grants Panel will meet at the end of October and twice in November. Applicants will receive a decision no later than 2 weeks after their respective panel meeting. 

These grants must be spent and finalised in this financial year (2024/2025), with projects completed, payments undertaken and return submissions completed by 16 February 2025.