Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to apply for a share of five new grant schemes aimed at bolstering business innovation, resilience and skills across the region.
The grants follow a significant update to the area’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and includes funding for staff training, new products and not-for-profit organisations.
With a sharpened focus on community-driven growth and sector-specific support, the new grants are designed to plug key gaps in access to capital, training and equipment.
Tom Nadin, Head of Projects & Business Services at Staffordshire Chambers, said:
“Following last week’s announcement, we’re delighted to see the introduction of five additional funding pots that help to address some of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in our region.
“These grants are sector-responsive, easy to access, and designed to deliver immediate impact, whether you’re looking to upskill your workforce, drive innovation, or kick-start a community-led initiative.
“We’re encouraging businesses and organisations to act quickly and get in touch with our team for application guidance.”
The five new funding schemes include:
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Skills Hub
Available to businesses in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Moorlands and East Staffordshire, this grant offers up to £1,000 to cover non-accredited training for employees.
Funded by the UKSPF and administered via the Skills Hub, applications are open now and must be spent by March 2026. A short skills analysis is required to determine eligibility.
For details, please email skillshub@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
Innovation Grants – East Staffordshire
Under the Promoting Innovation Pathways Programme (PIPP), SMEs in East Staffordshire can apply for fully funded innovation grants of up to £5,000.
Funding can be used to support new product development, services or processes—provided the applicant can demonstrate either job creation or retention.
For details, please email pipp@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
Staffordshire Moorlands ‘To Thrive’ Business Grant Scheme
Open to SMEs in the Staffordshire Moorlands, this capital grant offers between £2,000 and £10,000 for firms looking to grow through capital investment, tech adoption or service development.
Applicants must have been trading for at least 12 months and complete an Expression of Interest form to get started.
Find out more: https://forms.office.com/e/9rCyTdkd33
SWEF Enterprise Fund – Young Entrepreneurs
Targeting 18-30-year-olds not in education, employment or training, this grant scheme provides two streams of funding: Start-Up Grants (up to £500) and Business Grants (up to £2,000).
Funding can be used for start-up equipment, product development, training or digital infrastructure.
Find out more: https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/staffordshire-individuals/swef/
South Staffordshire UKSPF Community Fund
Non-profits in South Staffordshire can now apply for capital funding of up to £25,000 to deliver community-led schemes aimed at social inclusion, sustainability and local prosperity.
Funding must be claimed by December 2025, with application deadlines set for 30 September.
Find out more: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/uk-shared-prosperity-funding/ukspf-community-fund
For guidance on any of these funds, businesses and organisations are encouraged to reach out to Staffordshire Chambers for support with eligibility and application processes.
Need help applying?
Contact the team at Staffordshire Chambers: www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk
