The Digital Transformation Flexible Fund
7 March 2024
Deadline: March 29, 2024
The Digital Transformation Flexible Fund can offer eligible businesses and social enterprises help to fund their digital transformation project.
The DTFF grants are worth between £5,000 and £20,000 and are designed to help small and micro businesses accelerate their digital transformation ambitions. If eligible, the grant can fund up to 70% of the cost of a project with 30% match funding from the applicant.
You can watch a short video here to learn more about the scheme.
Businesses wishing to access the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund must be:
- Based in Northern Ireland and operate within 1 of the 11 local Council areas;
- A Small or Micro business (Micro business: 1-9 FTEs. Small business: 10-49 FTEs – Full Time Equivalent);
- VAT registered;
- Actively trading for a minimum of 12 months;
- Have a Digital Transformation Plan or equivalent;
- Centred on one or more of the six advanced digital technologies; and
- Have not received State Aid/Subsidy (funding from any national or local public sector scheme) in excess of €300,000 over the previous three financial years (De Minimis aid).
DTFF will enable the purchasing of capital equipment and/or resources for ‘off the shelf’ software solutions and/or bespoke system development, based on the following advanced digital technologies/tools:
- Smart technologies/smart environments, the Internet of Things (IoT) and simulaton;
- Process automation via robotics/cobotics, additive manufacturing;
- Big-data and analytics;
- Immersive technologies (AR/VR/MR/Haptics);
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning; and
- Horizontal and vertical system integration, distributed ledger systems/blockchain technologies.
Find a break down of what types of technologies are funded here.
DTFF will not cover the digitalisation of existing business systems i.e. the development of ecommerce and business websites, purchasing of laptops and printers etc. or fund on-going revenue costs of leasing software or ongoing maintenance/update costs. For more information refer to the Applicant Guidance Section.
Applicants are recommended to attend a pre-application briefing before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI). These sessions will describe the aims of DTFF and steps required to apply for funding. They will also help to determine whether your project is eligible or not.
Book onto a briefing session here.
If you are unsure whether your project is eligible or ineligible, you can contact a member of the DTFF Operations Team at dtff@nmandd.org.
Submit an expression of interest here and find out more. Deadline to submit, 29th March at 12 noon.