Fife Council’s SME Development Grant provides financial support to help Fife-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop and grow.

The grant opens for applications on 1 April 2023. The deadline to apply is 31 January 2025.

The fund provides small non-repayable grants to help with costs in 6 eligible areas:

• trade development
• workforce upskilling
• transition to net zero
• research and development (R&D) and innovation support
• agriculture business diversification
• support for studies

Trade development

The trade development funding provides grants to:

• assist businesses with the cost of exhibiting at trade shows in the UK or Europe
• assist businesses with the cost of participating in overseas trade missions
• support other costs associated with accessing new markets, such as exporting

Workforce upskilling

The funding for workforce upskilling provides grants to help companies improve the productivity and profitability of their business by training and upskilling existing employees.

Transition to net zero

The transition to net zero funding helps businesses move towards achieving net zero emissions through a range of measures, including premises improvements, waste reduction or reuse, and the creation of green jobs.

Research and development (R&D) and innovation support

The R&D and innovation funding is primarily for micro-SMEs that are unable to access the R&D and innovation support provided by Scottish Enterprise.

Agriculture business diversification

The agriculture business diversification funding is to help agriculture businesses to develop agritourism and food and drink-focussed proposals, as well as to support the adoption of new approaches and technologies, including vertical farming.

Support for studies

The support for studies funding can help businesses that are required to undertake a study – for example, on ecological impact or noise assessment – as part of a project to develop new or existing premises.

The SME Development Grant is delivered by Business Gateway Fife on behalf of Fife Council and is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Applications are completed by a Business Gateway adviser, then checked, signed and submitted by the business that's applying. Therefore, you must be working with Business Gateway Fife to be considered.

Businesses can receive more than one grant through this scheme, but the total amount received cannot exceed £2,850.

Your business must be working with Business Gateway Fife to be considered for an SME Development Grant. Your adviser will work with you to determine whether this support is suitable for your business.

Your business must be located in Fife to register with Business Gateway Fife.

This is a free service.

Businesses can receive more than one grant through this scheme, up to a total of £2,850. You'll need to be prepared to cover any additional costs through other sources.

Note that after your application is approved, you will need to cover the full costs upfront, then submit a claim with proof of money spent to receive your grant. You cannot claim for expenses incurred before your application was approved.

Small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) based in Fife.

The SME Development Grant opens on 1 April 2023. The deadline to apply is 31 January 2025.

Applications are completed by a Business Gateway adviser, then checked, signed and submitted by the business that's applying. You will receive a decision within 5 working days after you submit the application.

After you receive and accept your grant offer, you'll have 2 months to submit a claim with proof of expenditure. Payment will be processed within 5 working days after your claim is received and accepted.

The SME Development Grant opened on 1 April 2023. The deadline to apply is 31 January 2025.

Submit an enquiry and an adviser will be in touch to discuss your needs.