Apply for The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme

1 July 2026

The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) has now opened for applications.

Rural business development grants of between £500 and £7,500 are available to micro enterprises based in a rural area to support the sustainability and growth of rural micro-businesses across Northern Ireland by providing a small capital grant for the business.

Applicants are required to attend an online pre-funding workshop before they submit an application. 

These workshops are offered on the following dates and times.

• Wednesday 1^st July – 10am – 11am

• Wednesday 1^st July – 6pm – 7pm

• Monday 6^th July – 6pm – 7pm

• Friday 10^th July – 1pm – 2pm

• Monday 20^th July – 1pm – 2pm

• Friday 24^th July – 2pm – 3pm

Please book your chosen date (select one from the above) and time by emailing grants@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Full guidance notes are available here.

This Scheme is funded under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme.