Weekly Update 13 May 2021
In this update, we outline the new COVID Process and Organisational Improvement Grant which aims to support the use of new digital technology to improve business operations. The Large Net Annual Value (NAV) Grant deadline has been extended until Friday 14 May, allowing eligible businesses to claim for financial support.
COVID
Process and Organisational Improvement Grant
The COVID-19 Process and Organisational Improvement Grant (POIG) has been created to provide support to businesses, encouraging them to implement operational improvements and address the impact of COVID-19 within specific sectors.
POIG is open to businesses operating within the following Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) sectors:
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Information and Communication
• Professional, Scientific and Technical activities
The Invest Northern Ireland scheme has now opened through a competitive call for applications. The application process consists of two parts and both the pre-application and application form must be submitted by 12 noon on Friday 21 May 2021.
Successful applicants will receive grant support to help build internal teams, engage consultants, develop and implement processes and organisational improvements.
The maximum level of grant support will be £50,000 for small and medium-sized companies and £200,000 for large companies.
For further information on eligibility and how to apply, click here.
Large Net Annual Value (NAV) Grant Extended
In our last update we informed you that the NAV grant was closing for applications. Since then, the deadline for applications has been extended until Friday 14 May 2021.
The grant provides financial support to businesses that occupied commercial premises with a NAV over £51,000 from 1 March 2021 and were awarded a year rates holiday for 2020/2021.
Eligible businesses must fill out an online application and provide the required documents before they are considered for the grant.
For further information on eligibility and exclusions, click here.
Coronavirus: Paying Job Retenetion Scheme Grants Back
If you have claimed too much through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, or you would like to make a voluntary repayment because you do not want or need the grant to pay your employee’s wages you can either:
- Correct it in your next claim (which will be reduced and you will need to keep a record of the adjustment for six years)
- Get a Payment reference number and pay HMRC back within 30 days (only if you are not making another claim)
You can repay the grant online or over the phone. For further information on repayments and what to do it you’ve overclaimed, click here.
Environmental Challenge Fund Open for Applications (Heritage Projects)
A £2 million Environmental Challenge Fund has been launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and is now accepting applications. The fund is available to not-for-profit organisations and councils, to deliver natural heritage projects that support COVID recovery and green growth across Northern Ireland.
Grant awards of over £30,000 are on offer, with the maximum amount of DAERA funding available under the competition normally being up to 85% eligible project costs.
For further information on eligibility and how to apply, click here.
Applications close at midday on 1 June 2021.
Free University Management Courses for those Impacted by COVID
The Ulster University Belfast School (UBBS) has extended their free upskilling courses for those economically impacted by COVID-19. There are 75 fully funded courses available, covering the topics of leadership and management in business.
For further details on the courses on offer and how to apply, click here.
Other Support
The Resource Efficiency Capital Grant (RECG) is open for applications, which will provide financial support for the installation of new equipment that delivers a reduction in raw materials, waste and/or water. The support aims to help businesses achieve costs savings and increased productivity through resource efficiency.
Grants are capped at £50,000 with the rate of support at 10% for large businesses, 20% for medium sized businesses and 30% for small/micro businesses.
To be eligible to apply for this support, your business must:
• Be an Invest NI customer
• Have a qualifying project
• Have the support of their Client Executive
The deadline for applications is Monday 7 June at 5pm.
For further information on the grant and how to apply, click here.
Businesses can apply for loans for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy. Innovate UK is offering up to £20 million in loans to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Loans are for highly innovative projects with the best game changing, disruptive ideas or concepts.
Your project must aim to develop new products, processes or services which are significantly ahead of anything that is currently in existence.
For further information on how to apply and eligibility criteria, click here.
The Innovation Loans competition closes for entries on Wednesday 2 June 2021 at 11am.
Hydrogen Transport Hub Competiton
The Department for Transport in partnership with Innovate UK, will invest up to £2.5 million on innovative projects that can demonstrate the use of green hydrogen in transport.
Projects must focus on one or more of the following:
• Hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric or zero-emission combustion vehicles of any size
• Maritime, rail, aviation transport
• Non-road mobile machinery, such as forklift trucks
• Infrastructure that uses hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and mobile machinery
For further information on funding and eligibility criteria, click here.
Applications close at midday on Wednesday 16 June 2021.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Whilst every effort has been made by CavanaghKelly to ensure the accuracy of the information here, it cannot be guaranteed and neither CavanaghKelly nor any related entity shall have liability to any person who relies on the information herein. Information given here is for guidance only. Detailed professional advice should be taken before acting on any information contained herein. If having read the guidance here, you would like to discuss further; a member of our team would be pleased to help you.