HIE Digital Specialist Advice Grant

Closing date:
Anticipated to end March 2029 (if funds are committed earlier, the programme will close.)
Funder:
HIE
Funding amount:
£5k

Offers Highlands and Islands based organisations up to £5k towards the costs of obtaining digital specialist advice.

Introducing digital technologies into your business has many advantages, including cutting costs, speeding up processes, improving customer insights, creating the ability to make faster business decisions and increase revenue.

This funding is available to cover the costs of one-to-one consultancy on digital technologies leading to an action plan or a feasibility study for your business. Digital technologies may include:

robots/robotics/cobotics
sensor technologies
Internet of Things
data innovation
artificial intelligence
cyber security/risks
software development
augmented reality/virtual reality/3D visualisations
additive manufacturing and laser machining
cyber security solutions

Projects that have an element of ‘deep tech’ will also be considered (e.g. blockchain, photonics, aerospace and space technologies, electronics, cyber threat intelligence, fusion power and quantum computing).

Who is eligible?

Organisations of any size based within the Highlands and Islands region are eligible to apply.

Applicants must comply with HIE’s fair work conditions for financial support. If you would like to speak to someone about the fair work requirement or need more information, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk

How much can I apply for?

You can apply for between £2,000 (minimum payable) and £5,000. If your project exceeds £5,000, you will need to meet the additional costs.

Applicants will be required to identify up to three eligible consultants to support their project. HIE will not make recommendations on who you should work with.

What can the funding be used for?

This funding can be used for projects focused on the adoption of advanced digital technologies including artificial intelligence or robotics.

The funding is for consultancy costs to develop a feasibility study or action plan for digital technologies leading to, for example, increased productivity, impact on jobs, skills or workforce development, efficiency gains, reducing energy costs, or carbon reduction.