Opportunities for businesses: funding and beyond 

Suffolk Economy brings you a monthly round-up of current opportunities for Suffolk-based businesses, including funding, support and more. If you have an opportunity you’d like to share, please contact suffolk.economy@suffolk.gov.uk

Creative East  

The Creative East programme is designed to give participants the tools, guidance and connections they need to take their business further. Over the course of the programme, participants gain fresh insight into what it takes to grow sustainably, while being supported by people who understand the unique challenges of working in the creative industries.

Eligibility  

To qualify your business must: 

• Be based in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire or Peterborough. 

• Be revenue generating (not a start-up). 

• Employ (directly or as freelancers) at least two full-time equivalent staff. 

• Fall within the DCMS definition of Creative Industries; 

Open now

The next programme begins in Norwich in January 2026, with expressions of interest now open: Creative East | Create Growth Programme | Expression of Interest 

Farming Innovation Programme: Feasibility Round 4 

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £4.8million for feasibility projects. This funding is from the industry led R&D Partnerships Fund, part of the Farming Innovation Programme. 

Eligibility 

This competition is open to collaborations only. 

To lead a project your organisation must: 

• be a UK registered business of any size, including sole traders and partnerships 
• collaborate with other UK organisations 

Closes: 3 December 2025 

Eureka GlobalStars Japan 2026 

UK organisations can apply for funding to collaborate on industrial research projects with partners in Eureka member countries and Japan. 

Eligibility 

This competition is open to collaborations only. 

To be eligible for grant funding from Innovate UK your collaboration: 

• must include at least one UK registered business of any size 

• must include at least one eligible SME from Japan 

• can include other UK registered organisations 

For more information on company sizes, please refer to the company accounts guidance. This is a change from the EU definition unless you are applying under State aid. 

Closes: 21 January 2026 

New £1 Million Fund to Boost Local Tourism (UK)
Airbnb, in partnership with VisitBritain, has launched a £1 million fund to boost tourism across the UK. The “Best of British” fund aims to help small businesses, social enterprises, charities, and cultural organisations attract more visitors by turning local traditions into engaging experiences. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £100,000 to support stays, attractions and experiences that represent the best of British across four categories:  

• nature and outdoors;  

• food and dining;  

• music and arts;  

• culture and heritage.  

Examples include local festivals, traditional events like bog snorkelling, and regional culinary showcases. 

Closes 23 November  

Grants to Preserve Historic Buildings in Town Centres (England) 

 The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is accepting applications through its Heritage Revival Fund that is designed to support the restoration and adaptive reuse of neglected historic buildings in town centres across England.  

  It aims to empower community-led organisations: such as charities, not-for-profits, and social enterprises: to take ownership of heritage assets and transform them into functional community spaces.  

  The following grant types are currently open for applications: 

• Project Viability Grants (up to £15,000) 
• Project Development Grants (up to £100,000) 

Closing date 19 January   

Suffolk Economy Grants  

Our own Suffolk Economy grant programme is also open for applications. 

You might be eligible for funding if…  

• You are a micro, small or medium sized business based in Suffolk  

• You need funding to achieve clean growth, such as job creation or access to external investment.   
• You have a focus in one of the following areas: innovation, digital technology adoption, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainable practices  

Our priority areas for funding are digital transformation and adoption of new technologies, innovation and R&D, decarbonisation and sustainability.   

All of the information and criteria is available on the Suffolk Economy website: Business Grants and Funding – Suffolk Economy