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Business support finder

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Find the business support measures that are available to NI business and employees.

Council area

Support organisation

Business schemes available - 215

Support scheme	Support organisation
Grant for R&D R&D funding up to £50,000+ for a new product idea or process that could help grow your business.	Invest Northern Ireland
Acumen Programme Business assistance to increase cross-border export sales north or south of Ireland, including help to improve knowledge of the market and identify new business opportunities.	InterTradeIreland
Go for it Local council support to help potential entrepreneurs explore a business idea. Support includes one-to-one advice from a business advisor and tailored guidance to develop a business plan.	Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Mid Ulster District Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Innovation Voucher £5,000 funding for SMEs to work with an expert from a university, college or other public sector research body bringing new knowledge to help businesses innovate, develop and grow.	Invest Northern Ireland
Higher Level Apprenticeships Work-based programme designed around the needs of employers. It will offer recognised training and qualifications to new and existing employees in a new job role wishing to gain qualifications from Level 4 to Level 8.	Department for the Economy (DfE)
Explore Enterprise Programme Support for people aged 16-30, who would like to start a business. The programme offers a package of business skills training, funding, mentoring and practical support.	The Prince's Trust
ApprenticeshipsNI Work-based programme designed around the needs of employers. It will offer recognised training and qualifications to new and existing employees aged 16 and over, across a wide range of apprenticeships at Level 2 and Level 3.	Department for the Economy (DfE)
Proof of Concept Programme Proof of Concept programme offers funding to local universities and research organisations to help researchers take their ideas out of the lab and into the market.	Invest Northern Ireland
Enterprise Northern Ireland Start Up Loans Loans from £500 to £25,000 and business mentoring for business start-ups in Northern Ireland.	Enterprise Northern Ireland
Artists Emergency Programme \| NI only Award of up to £5,000 to support individual artists, creative practitioners and performers. NOTE: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has temporarily closed this programme until further notice.	Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Department for Communities (DfC)

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