Scottish Funds
Sources of funding in Scotland
For Covid-19 funds and support, see our Coronavirus
resource pages.
The following funds may be sources of grants or loans for
publishers, charitable organisations and others involved in the
arts and creative sectors.
Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is a source of investment in the arts and
creative industries. The main way to access investment is
through one of the Funding Programmes. These include:
- The Open Fund which accepts
applications between £1,000 and £50,000 for projects. Creative
Scotland has announced that it is simplifying the application
process for individuals from 10 August 2021. See Creative Scotland
news 23 June 2021.
You can also look for other opportunities on the Creative Scotland
Opportunities page.
Scots Language Publication Grant
This fund is administered by Scottish Book Trust.
Scottish Growth Scheme
The Scottish Growth Scheme is a £500 million
package of financial support for Scottish businesses. It's backed
by the Scottish Government and aims to help businesses grow. This
funding will be provided through a series of initiatives which
businesses can access for investment. Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs) in Scotland can apply for:
- microfinance loans of up to £25,000
- debt or loan finance of up to £100,000
- equity
finance of up to £2 million
This funding comes from the Scottish Government and the European
Regional Development Fund.
Scottish Enterprise
Some of its most popular funds are listed on the Scottish Enterprise website. It also has a
dedicated Funding Information & Support Service (FISS) team to
help innovative businesses apply for grant funding from other
organisations.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Funding of up to £15,000 is available to SMEs
through the HIE Small Innovation Grant Scheme. Your
business can apply year-round, it must be based in the Highlands
and Islands, and should employ no more than 250 people.
Culture and Business Fund Scotland
This is a match funding scheme for arts and culture
organisations that have attracted business funds or sponsorship for
work. See the Arts and Business website.
Digital Development Loan
Scottish limited companies, sole traders and partnerships who
have been trading for more than 6 months are eligible to apply for
a Digital Development Loan (created by the Scottish Government to
provide loans to those looking to improve their digital
capabilities). Interest free, unsecured business loans from
£5,000 to £100,000 are available with up to 5 years repayment. To
check eligibility and to apply, see the Digital
Development Loan website.
Funding Scotland
Information on over 1200 funds (from small grants to funding for
big capital projects) which support Scottish projects. Find funding
for your charity, community group or social enterprise using its free online
search engine.
Social Investment Scotland
SIS (Social Investment Scotland) is a social
enterprise and charity offering loan funding and business support
for other social enterprises, charities and community groups
looking to make a positive impact on people's lives, society or the
environment.
Other grants and funding
sources
The William Syson Foundation
The trustees will consider applications from charities and
not-for-progit organisations for projects and activities that
promote the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture,
including (but not restricted to) promoting, developing and
ensuring the practice and enjoyment of the arts, including
literature. For details of elegibility and to apply, see the William Syson Foundation website.
Internship funding for Robertson Trust Scholars
The Robertson Trust (Scotland's largest private charitable
trust) is looking for businesses to help extend its internship
programmes for its bursary scholars. Undergraduate: Current 3rd
year bursary scholars can take an 8-week paid summer internship
before starting their 4th year. The Robertson Trust will fully fund
this internship with no cost to the employer. See The Robertson Trust website.
Business support from universities
INTERFACE
Interface is a matchmaking service connecting
businesses quickly and easily to world class expertise, knowledge
and research facilities available in all Scotland's universities
and research institutes. Interface's free and impartial service
stimulates innovation and encourages companies to consider academic
support to help solve their business challenges. Open to all,
regardless of sector or geographical location, Interface proves
that collaborating with academic partners brings significant
business benefits. If you have a technical problem or need to
develop your business, Interface will help you access the knowledge
and facilities available. Contact Louise
Arnold of Interface for more information.
Interface administers a number of funding schemes to offset the cost of
collaborating with Scotland's universities and research
institutions enabling them to develop new products and processes
through R&D projects.