About the Digital Adoption Programme
Are you a business or social enterprise based in York or North Yorkshire with fewer than 250 employees? Whether you’re just starting out or already established, the Digital Adoption Grant is here to support your next step in digital transformation.
With grants ranging from £1,000 to £3,000, this programme is designed to help you invest in bespoke digital assets, from a brand-new website to custom software solutions, that will drive productivity, sustainability, and growth.
The Digital Adoption Grant aims to support businesses to adopt new technologies and resources, in order to increase innovation and productivity.
The fund opens for applications on Monday 16 June 2025 and will close on 5pm Monday 14 July 2025.
A minimum 25% match funding is required, and all projects must be completed by the end of February 2026.
Programme Objectives
To support businesses to adopt new technologies and resources, in order to increase innovation and productivity.
Projects should aim to achieve some or all of the following objectives:
- Improved business productivity
- Improved business sustainability
- Increased income
- Increased exports
- Increased lead generation
Funding Opportunity
Total value of the programme
The overall program has a budget of £70,000 ( capital).
Amount of Grant Funding available
Grants of between £1000 and £3000 are available.
Match funding requirements
Minimum match funding of 25% is required.
Open to applications
16 June 2025
Deadline for applications
14 July 2025
Programme delivery requirements
All works needs to be completed and invoiced by the end of February 2026. Failure to complete and claim the awarded grant may result in the offer of funding being withdrawn.
Programme monitoring and evaluation requirements
Evaluation will be expected to be completed towards the end of a 6-month period when the grant has had time to impact on practice or progress. A reminder will be sent at this time. The evaluation requirements will be provided within the funding agreement at the point of agreeing to work with the team.
Eligible Applicants, Activity and Costs
Who can apply?
New and existing businesses and social enterprises with less than 250 with a trading address in York and North Yorkshire. This includes all businesses, organisations and sole traders who have an active registration with Companies House and/or the Charity Commission OR who are registered for self-assessment with HMRC.
There is no minimum trading period requirement, but all applicants must be trading, not in pre-start up stage.
Application exclusions
- Sole Traders, businesses, social enterprises and organisations who are not registered as detailed in the ‘who can apply’ section
- Organisations operating outside of the York and North Yorkshire constituency boundaries
- Enterprises that operate under the umbrella of a larger company, falling outside of the definition of an SME
What will be funded?
Grants will be given for the acquisition of bespoke intangible assets (not running costs or subscriptions to existing products) that fall under the following list:
- A new bespoke website where there isn’t already an existing website
- A new bespoke additional functionality to a website that doesn’t already exist, such as an ecommerce platform, a customer portal or an interactive element
- A new bespoke software system where an existing system either doesn’t exist or is proven to not be suitable
Assets should be projected (or evidenced where possible) to have a lasting impact beyond project completion, e.g., leading to business expansion, increased productivity, increased bottom line or increase in service/product offer.
Funding exclusions
- Grants cannot be used for revenue costs
- Funding cannot be given retrospectively for any purchases already made.
- Costs already incurred or initiated through projects started cannot be covered.
- Licences and subscriptions (inc. recurring costs such as domain buying, platform hosting etc)
- Recoverable VAT
How to apply
Complete the online application form. You will need to submit:
-
- A business plan covering the next 12 months as a minimum.
- a cashflow forecast that assumes grant award and covers the next 12 months.
- Two quotations for each capital item required. Where only one quotation is provided, there must be clear justification, such as, this is the only supplier who can offer the work required.
- a copy of your latest financial accounts (if available)
Business plan and cashflow templates can be downloaded here. Support with completing these documents is available on request.
How to apply
Please click below to complete the online application form. You will need to upload a cashflow forecast, business plan, quotes and your latest set of accounts* (*where applicable) as part of your application. Application form guidance can be found in the Useful Documents section below, along with links to advice on writing cashflow forecasts and business plans (with templates).
What happens after I apply
- All application forms will be screened for basic eligibility, e.g. alignment with the criteria listed under ‘who can apply?’ section.
- Applications passing initial screening will be appraised consistently against a framework using HM Treasury’s ‘5 Cases’ methodology, which looks at the need for, strategic fit and impact of the project, as well as project costs and deliverability. All appraisals are expected to be completed by 8 August.
- Appropriate assurance checks will be carried out on the applications the appraisal panel recommends for approval. These assurance checks may include ID verification where relevant.
- Applications recommended for approval and clearing the assurance checks will be sent to a senior CA officer for final review and sign off.
When will I hear if I've been successful?
- We anticipate being able to let all applicants know whether their application has been successful or not by the end of August at the very latest. We will also let you know of any specific terms and conditions associated with any grant awarded.
What happens if I'm successful?
- If successful, a funding agreement will be sent to you to sign.
- Payments will be made on project completion or at an agreed point when impact is evident; invoices must be accompanied by certified receipts.
What happens if I'm unsuccessful?
- If unsuccessful, we would hope to continue a support role with your business to continue developing ideas and/or funding opportunities
Additional Information
If you have any queries about this grant programme that aren’t covered by the information provided above, please feel free to contact the Growth Hub for further assistance: support@ynygrowthhub.com / 0800 246 5045.
To receive NYC Locality Business Newsletters please email Business.ric@northyorks.gov.uk, including your business name and location.
Businesses ineligible for this programme can also get specialist advice and support from the Growth Hub.
Data Protection
Please note that by submitting an application form, you are consenting to any personal and commercial data collected being processed by York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority and shared with partners involved in the delivery of UK shared prosperity fund. This includes the Department for Business and Trade and its contractors. The personal data will be held for the purposes of contacting applicants and assessing applications only. You can find out about your data protection and subject access rights on our website.
Useful Documents
- Application guidance
- How to predict the revenue forecast for a business – Y&NY Growth Hub
- Routemap to Carbon Negative
- York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority – Economic Framework
- York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority – Mayor’s Vision
- Guide to Developing the Project Business Case – Chapter 2 outlines HM Treasury’s 5 Cases Methodology
- UK subsidy control regime: statutory guidance – GOV.UK
