Invest NI / Innovate NI Business Innovation Grant (BIG)
Business Innovation Grant (BIG)
Status not published
Applications for the current call close at 12:00 noon, Friday 4 September 2026. The grant runs in periodic calls.
Grants range from £5,000 to £20,000 at a grant rate of 70%, so the business funds the remaining 30% of eligible costs.
You must co-fund 30%.
Invest Northern Ireland (delivered via Innovate NI)
public · regional
Deadline: cutoff — Applications for the current call close at 12:00 noon, Friday 4 September 2026. The grant runs in periodic calls.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
You fund 30% yourself.
Who can apply
- Up to 249 employees
- medium enterprises
- Stage: pre_seed, seed, series_a
- Locally registered entity required
Open to all sectors in Northern Ireland except primary agriculture. Applicants must be micro or small-to-medium enterprises. Funding supports market research, product development, market entry, trade fairs and exhibitions.
How to apply
- Check that your business is a Northern Ireland micro or SME aligned with Innovate NI's definition of innovation. — link
- Apply through the Innovate NI website (innovateni.com/business-innovation-grant) before the call closes.
- If successful, receive the grant plus ongoing guidance through the Innovate NI programme.
What you will need
- Innovate NI Business Innovation Grant application
- Quotes / costings for the proposed innovation activity
Source. https://www.investni.com/support-for-business/innovation-support/business-innovation-grant — checked 2026-08-14
"Grants range from £5,000 to £20,000 at a grant rate of 70% ... The Business Innovation Grant is open to all sectors (except primary agriculture) in Northern Ireland. ... Applications close at 12:00 noon, Friday 4 September 2026."