The Ecosystem Pathways Fund offers grants of up to £150,000 to support organisations, groups, individuals, and activities that help underrepresented communities in Scotland get involved in entrepreneurship.

The funding can be used for projects that:

• expand access to entrepreneurship for women and under-represented or under-supported groups and communities
• provide female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs from under-represented groups with opportunities for:
  • skills development
  • mentorship
  • networking
  • collaboration
• promote entrepreneurship as a tool to tackle economic inactivity

The deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday 18 August 2025.

All eligible activity must be completed and grant payments received by 31 March 2026.

The fund will support a variety of organisations and individuals in Scotland that are working to encourage or support entrepreneurship among underrepresented communities in Scotland. These include:

• ecosystem builders such as incubators, accelerators and community groups
• universities, colleges and education providers
• established businesses and private organisations
• industry associations, third-sector organisations and non-profits
• private organisations
• un-constituted groups or individuals
• Business Gateway economic development teams

You can read full details of the eligibility criteria on the fund's website.

It is free to apply for this fund.

Grants of up to £150,000 are available. You'll need to cover any additional costs above this amount through other sources.

You'll receive your grant payments retrospectively, in instalments. This means you'll need to be able to cover the costs upfront, then reclaim the money through the grant.

Each instalment will be paid out after you achieve certain agreed project milestones. This detailed payment schedule will be set out in your grant offer letter, if your application is successful.

Organisations, groups, individuals and activities that encourage and support entrepreneurship among under-represented and under-supported groups and communities in Scotland.

The deadline to apply is 5pm on 18 August 2025.

Applications will be assessed during August and September. You'll get a decision on your funding on 30 September 2025.

All activity covered by the fund must be completed and grant payments received by 31 March 2026.

The deadline to apply for this fund is 5pm on Monday 18 August 2025.

The Ecosystem Pathways Fund offers grants of up to £150,000 to support organisations, groups, individuals, and activities that increase access to entrepreneurship for underrepresented communities in Scotland.

Visit the Ecosystem Pathways Fund website for more information and to read the full fund guidance.