Who is eligible for South Midlands Growth Grant?

Available in: England. Applicant must be a registered business.

What is the deadline for South Midlands Growth Grant?

This is a rolling scheme with no fixed deadline.

GrantEngland North Northamptonshire Council West Northamptonshire Council Milton Keynes City Council Bedford Borough Council Central Bedfordshire Council Luton Borough Council

South Midlands Growth Grant

South Midlands Growth Hub

Description

A £1.8 million, 3-year capital grant programme for SMEs, micro-businesses and sole traders across North and West Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton, funding investments in innovation, new technology adoption, or green/decarbonisation improvements (machinery, equipment, premises improvements, software and digital tools). Delivered by the South Midlands Growth Hub (the successor to the SEMLEP-era 'South East Midlands' branding) with rounds run periodically via a two-stage Expression of Interest then full-application process; round one (closed December 2025) awarded £609,598.93 to 22 businesses from over 130 applicants.

Amount

£5,000-£25,000 per project (round one also ran a separate £300-£3,000 Micro Capital Grant tier); 50% match funding required

Deadline

Rolling / no fixed deadline

Eligibility summary

Available in: England.
Applicant must be a registered business.

Notes: Round-based rather than continuously open — the round current at research time had Expressions of Interest open 1-23 July 2026, with shortlisted applicants invited to submit a full application by 25 September 2026; a new applicant should check growthhub.southmidlands.org.uk for the next EOI window rather than assume immediate availability. Excludes Buckinghamshire, which sat within the LEP-era SEMLEP footprint but is outside this Growth Hub's current membership. Re-verified Aug 2026: shortlisted applicants are being taken through Q&A drop-in sessions (2 and 10 September 2026) ahead of the 25 September full-application deadline, confirming this round is progressing as scheduled.
Requirement: SME, micro-business, or sole trader based in North/West Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, or Luton, with a capital project supporting growth, innovation, technology adoption, or decarbonisation; requires 50% match funding, and a business may apply to only one grant tier per round.

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How to apply

Submit an Expression of Interest during the current open window via the South Midlands Growth Hub website; shortlisted applicants are then invited to complete a full application ahead of the round's final deadline.

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Last verified: 23 August 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.