Automation grants for UK small businesses
Grants that pay towards automating the work of a UK small business: connecting systems, cutting manual steps and digitising paperwork.
- 10 open or opening soon
- Every scheme links to its funder
- Free supplier quotes in 72 hours
Find your grant
Automation is usually funded as digital adoption or productivity. Grants in this group pay towards software and systems that take repetitive work off a team, like connecting the tools a business already uses, replacing paper and spreadsheets, or automating orders, invoices and bookings.
Manufacturers have the most options, through regional programmes such as Made Smarter. Other businesses usually find automation funding in council growth funds, which often name productivity or digitisation as a goal.
A scheme is listed here when its guidance covers automation, digitisation or productivity improvements.
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Where is your business based?
How far along are you?
10 schemes open or opening soon
Local Growth Fund: Conwy Business Growth & Resilience Programme
Conwy County Borough CouncilWhereConwyFunding£3,000 to £50,000OpenNo closing date given
Growth grant for Conwy SMEs, covering digitalisation and automation, specialist software, e-commerce systems, new websites and customer management systems. Up to 70% of costs.
Who can apply
- Located in Conwy County Borough; actively trading and registered with HMRC
- SME up to 250 employees; turnover under €50m or balance sheet under €43m
- Minimum 30% applicant contribution; match funding in place
- Must deliver at least one LGF output and one outcome
- Priority sectors incl. creative, professional services, manufacturing, health, tourism; others if aligned (e.g. digital adoption)
- Minimum individual item cost £100
- First come, first served until funds are committed
What it pays for
- Digitalisation and automation
- Specialist software required for business growth
- Digital transformation projects and new technologies
- E-commerce systems, new websites and digital sales platforms
- Customer management systems
- Specialist consultancy
- Capital equipment, installation and commissioning
- Business development related training
What it won’t pay for
- Retrospective spend or projects started before approval
- Routine replacement of assets incl. upgrades of IT equipment and software
- Salaries, normal operating costs and stock
- Recoverable VAT, cash purchases, hire purchase or lease agreements
- Work carried out by the applicant or their own employees
- General maintenance and repair
How to apply
- Speak to Conwy Business Support (business@conwy.gov.uk, 01492 574574) before applying.
- Read the criteria and guidance documents in full.
- Submit the online application with business plan, accounts, 12-month cash flow, P&L forecast, match funding evidence, HMRC registration and quotes.
- The Grant Review Panel decides; do not spend anything on the project until you have written confirmation.
- Complete the project and claim by the date in your grant offer (before end of March 2027).
What the quotes must show
- Itemised
- Comparable
- Demonstrate value for money
- From independent suppliers
- Declare any personal, family or business connection to a supplier; connected contractors must charge without profit margin
- The council may contact businesses that submitted quotations
- Funding
- £3,000 to £50,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 70% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- 2 up to £10,000; 3 for £10,001 and above
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (North West)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereNorth WestFundingUp to £20,000OpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for North West manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
- Turnover under £36m or balance sheet under £18m
What it pays for
- Equipment to implement digital technology projects
- Specialist advice to implement projects
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- Up to £20,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 50% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereYorkshire and the HumberFundingUp to £20,000OpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for Yorkshire and the Humber manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
- Turnover under £36m or balance sheet under £18m
- Projects must show clear additionality
- Grants are paid retrospectively
What it pays for
- Industry 4.0 technology adoption for projects identified through your digital assessment
- Consultant or academic expertise for targeted projects (up to 50% match funding)
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- Up to £20,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 50% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (East Midlands)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereEast MidlandsFundingUp to £20,000OpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for East Midlands manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
What it pays for
- Equipment and/or specialist advice for Industrial Digital Technology projects
- Cognitive computing and AI (machine learning)
- Data and systems integration; big data and analytics
- Internet of Things (sensors, barcode, RFID etc.), mobile devices and wearables
- AR and VR; additive manufacturing; industrial cyber security
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- Up to £20,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 50% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (West Midlands)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereWest MidlandsFundingUp to £20,000OpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for West Midlands manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
- Advanced manufacturing and engineering SMEs
What it pays for
- Digital technology equipment to implement projects
- Specialist advice to implement projects
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- Up to £20,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 50% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (South East)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereSouth EastFundingUp to £20,000OpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for South East manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
- A limited number of grants up to £50,000
- Annual turnover below £44m; under £315k State aid in last 3 years
- Not part of a larger group or owned by private equity
- Programme runs until end of March 2027
What it pays for
- Equipment (hardware or software)
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- Up to £20,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 50% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (South West)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereSouth WestFunding£1,000 to £20,000OpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for South West manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
- Registered or trading in the South West
- Grants between £1,000 and £20,000
What it pays for
- Expert advice from a technology specialist
- Purchase of new software and/or equipment
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- £1,000 to £20,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 50% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (East of England)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereEast of EnglandFundingUp to £20,000OpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for East of England manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
- Manufacturing SMEs in Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire
- Page says only 10% of 2026-27 roadmaps remain
What it pays for
- Equipment
- Software
- Specialist expertise or services
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- Up to £20,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 50% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (London)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereLondonFundingUp to £20,000OpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for London manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
- Minimum 50% applicant contribution
What it pays for
- New digital tools, systems or equipment
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- Up to £20,000
- Covers
- Covers up to 50% of costs
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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Made Smarter Adoption (North East)
Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade)WhereNorth EastFundingSee the official pageOpenNo closing date given
Match-funded grant for North East manufacturing SMEs adopting digital technology, covering technology and advice identified through the Made Smarter assessment and digital roadmap.
Who can apply
- SME manufacturer with operations in the region
- Join the programme (assessment and digital roadmap) before applying for a grant
- SMEs (under 250 employees) in manufacturing and advanced manufacturing in the North East MSA and Tees Valley CA areas
What it pays for
- New technology and software
How to apply
- Register your business as a manufacturer on the regional Made Smarter page.
- A Made Smarter specialist assesses your business and runs a diagnostic or digital assessment.
- Build a digital transformation roadmap with the team.
- Apply for a match-funded grant for eligible projects identified in your roadmap.
- Funding
- See the official page
- Applications
- No closing date given
- Supplier quote
- Check the guidance
- Last checked
- 11 October 2026
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ZeroPixel isn’t connected to any funder. Amounts, deadlines and rules change, so check the official page before you apply. The funder decides who gets funding.
Compare the schemes
Every open and upcoming scheme on one table. The share of costs is the most a grant will pay towards your project, and you fund the rest. Select a scheme to see its details.
| Scheme | Where | Funding | Share of costs | Stage | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Growth Fund: Conwy Business Growth & Resilience ProgrammeConwy County Borough Council | Conwy | £3,000 to £50,000 | Up to 70% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (North West)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | North West | Up to £20,000 | Up to 50% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (Yorkshire and the Humber)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | Yorkshire and the Humber | Up to £20,000 | Up to 50% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (East Midlands)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | East Midlands | Up to £20,000 | Up to 50% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (West Midlands)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | West Midlands | Up to £20,000 | Up to 50% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (South East)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | South East | Up to £20,000 | Up to 50% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (South West)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | South West | £1,000 to £20,000 | Up to 50% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (East of England)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | East of England | Up to £20,000 | Up to 50% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (London)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | London | Up to £20,000 | Up to 50% | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
| Made Smarter Adoption (North East)Made Smarter (Department for Business and Trade) | North East | See the official page | Not stated | Already trading | OpenNo closing date given |
How many quotes each grant asks for
Some funders want more than one quote so they can compare prices. We write one. If your grant asks for more, the others have to come from other suppliers.
| Scheme | Where | Quotes needed |
|---|---|---|
| Local Growth Fund: Conwy Business Growth & Resilience ProgrammeConwy County Borough Council | Conwy | 2 up to £10,000; 3 for £10,001 and above |
Grants by nation and project
The same list, narrowed to where your business is or what you want to build, each with its own introduction.
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