As a Registered Provider with NBSL we wanted to update you about this Grant programme which relaunches or growing businesses in Sunderland. We expect there to be high levels of demand so we would encourage any interested clients to make an application as soon as possible.
New Grant Fund Launched - Sunderland Business Support Fund
NBSL, in partnership with the Sunderland City Council, are delighted to announce the launch of the next phase of the Sunderland Business Support Fund (SBSF) thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund .
This Grant programme will help local growing businesses to access high quality external expertise to deliver business improvement projects.
Grant Offer
SBSF will provide up to 40% funding for projects that cost between £3,000 and £6,000 (VAT costs cannot be funded).
Eligibility Criteria
Business must:
Be based in Sunderland i.e. the business pays its business rates to Sunderland City Council
Be Trading i.e. making sales
Be an SME - employing fewer than 250 staff
Be planning to grow i.e. creating new jobs or safeguarding existing jobs.
Not have received more than £315,000 of combined State Aid under the Minimum Financial Assistance (MFA), Services of Public Economic Interest Assistance (SPEIA) or Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) allowances.
MFA has a financial threshold so no organisation can receive more than £315,000 over the applicable period. The applicable period is:
The elapsed part of the current financial year (i.e., from 1 April 2025), and
the two financial years immediately preceding the current financial year
Projects must:
Support business growth i.e. create and/or safeguard jobs
Take no longer than 3 months to complete
Be completed, and the Grant claimed, by February 2026 at the very latest
Interested Clients
Further information - https://growwithnbsl.org.uk/sunderland-business-support-fund-overview/
Applications will be assessed for eligibility from the 9th June 2025 but businesses can apply now to be among the first to take advantage of the new offer - https://forms.nbsl.org.uk/sbsf-application/
Business Improvement Projects eligible for a Grant
Listed below are the main types of projects that we can fund - if anyone has a project in mind that's not on the list ask them to get in touch and we'll try to help:
Business Growth Planning
Change Management
Product Development / Diversification
Process Improvement Systems
Marketing Planning
Software Development
HR Strategy Planning and Development
Video Production
Strategy Development
Business Expansion Planning
Developing Quality Management Systems
Financial Restructuring
Web Design / Development
Succession Planning
Design Costs for Marketing
Development of Animations
This Grant cannot fund capital or small equipment purchases
This project is part-funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Sunderland City Council and the North East Combined Authority.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £900 million of funding for local investment in 2025/26. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025-26: Technical note - GOV.UK
Want to know more? Email fundingsupport@nbsl.org.uk to arrange a chat with one of our Skills Advisers.
Interested?
