Rural Business Development Grant Scheme
Rural Business Grants of up to £7,500
Capital grants up to a maximum of 50% grant rate are available to existing micro-enterprises based in a rural area to support them to sustain and grow through DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme.
The scheme is open for applications between Thursday, 25 September 2025, and 12noon on Thursday, 30 October 2025.
Grant aid of between £500 - £7,500 is available for projects costing up to £30,000.
What can I apply for?
Grant aid is available to support the purchase of new capital items of equipment or machinery or to set up an e-commerce website which cost at least £1,000 and no more than £30,000.
Examples of eligible expenditure includes:
- New equipment/ machinery.
- Mobile machinery, such as scissor lifts, forklifts, push and ride-on lawn mowers, mini excavators.
- I.T. equipment e.g. computers, laptop, printer.
- Computer software (outright purchase; staff training costs or ongoing license fees are NOT eligible).
- E-commerce Websites to allow online purchase capabilities.
Further details on what is eligible and not eligible is available in the guidance notes.
Please note: the maximum number of items, or groupings of items, that you can purchase under the scheme is six.
How can I find out about the Grant funding?
To find out more about the scheme, the application, assessment and claims process, you should register and attend our mandatory workshop:
The workshops will be a mix of online Microsoft Teams and in-person meetings.
They will take place on the following dates, times and locations:
- Tuesday 30 September – 1pm (online via Microsoft Teams)
- Thursday 9 October – 1pm (Carrickfergus Enterprise, Meadowbank Road, Carrickfergus)
- Tuesday 14 October – 6pm (online via Microsoft Teams)
- Thursday 16 October – 1pm (LEDCOM, Willowbank Business Park, Larne)
- Thursday 23 October – 6pm (online via Microsoft Teams)
You can register for the workshop by E: rdp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or T: 028 2563 3266
You should also read the application guidance notes which are available on the DEARA website.
Is my Business Based in a Rural Area?
Rural areas are those areas with less than 5,000 residents and outside of designated urban areas.
The scheme cannot support businesses based in the urban towns of Ballymena, Larne, or Carrickfergus, nor within the Mid and East Antrim Urban Area.
If you’re unsure if your business location is eligible contact us at E: rdp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
How do I apply?
The online system will open for applications from Thursday 25 September 2025 until 12 noon on Thursday 30 October 2025.
The application is online through the Start Page of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme.
Along with your completed application you will be required to submit supporting documents including:
- A detailed specification for each item you are applying for
- At least 2 price-checks per item from different suppliers/internet quotations for items up to £10,000
- At least 3 Written Quotes per item from different suppliers for items from £10,001 - £30,000 (internet quotations cannot be used)
- Quotes must be ‘like-for-like’ with specification
Fully completed application forms with supporting documents must be submitted by 12noon on Thursday 30 October 2025.
For more information – contact us on: