How to Apply
Caithness Business Fund is a private sector fund dedicated to driving economic growth across Caithness and Sutherland by supporting businesses and fostering skills development. Its core mission is to strengthen the region’s business base, promote innovation, and create new opportunities for local businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Types of Grant Funding Available
Apprenticeship Grants
Apprenticeship Grants
These are available to businesses which can demonstrate a strong commitment to hosting a modern apprenticeship, providing a supportive pathway and desire to grow and create employment.
The FutureSkills apprenticeship scheme can provide financial support up to a maximum of £24,500 over 3 years. Any grant awarded will vary depending on the needs of each business, the apprenticeship being undertaken and the availability of any other funding.
Business Start-Up, Growth & Training Grants
Training Grants
These are available to businesses seeking to provide relevant courses for their employees and can clearly demonstrate a linkage to business growth and development.
Business Start-Up Grants
These are available to anyone who can demonstrate both the potential and desire to grow their business and create employment. They are not available to lifestyle businesses unless they offer something unique to the area, which would benefit the area.
Business Growth Grants
These are available to any existing business which can demonstrate that the grant would result in the creation (not just retention) of new jobs.
Graduate Placement Grants
Graduate Placement Grants
The scheme will support up to 70% of salary costs for businesses for a two-year period to employ a new graduate within their business. Preference would be shown to businesses working within, or seeking to develop into, growth sectors within the area (i.e. energy, food and drink, space and tourism). Preference will also be shown to a graduate placement in skills shortage areas.
Eligibility Criteria & Conditions of Grant Award:
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant must be a small to medium SME i.e. sole trader, partnership or limited company.
- Based in the Caithness and North Sutherland area (defined as the Dounreay Travel to Work Area).
- Looking to:
- Start a new business (and which in the Fund’s view does not significantly displace another business).
- Developing an existing one i.e. through training, growth plans or employing an apprentice.
- Applicant must demonstrate financial viability.
Excluded sectors/business activities:
- Alcohol**
- Activities having a detrimental impact on the environment
- Financial Services
- Gambling
- Morally or Ethically controversial activities
- Primary Agriculture (including forestry)**
- Property Development
- Weapons
**speak to the Fund team to find out more details as some funds are ringfenced with specific excluded sectors, however there are limited funds available which do not carry these restrictions.
Conditions of Grant Award:
Conditions of grant award:
Applicants must -:
- supply such progress reports as may be reasonably required by Caithness Business Fund
- agree to participate in any publicity with regards the grant award
- not submit an application which is for retrospective funding
Please note that the Fund may place additional conditions on any given grant award.
Key information is required in order to assess suitable applications. However we encourage applicants to contact us if there are any aspects of the application form or process that they require assistance with or further information on i.e. production of a business plan or financials.
An application form and guidelines can be downloaded here.
Contact the Management Company on 01847 500104 or email enquiries@caithnessbusinessfund.co.uk for any assistance in filling out the form.
* Dounreay Travel to Work Area: The whole of Caithness, and north west to Melness / Tongue and south to Brora in Sutherland.
