The Internationalisation Fund is a grant scheme operated by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and is available to SMEs in England (excluding Cornwall, where a separate scheme applies). Similar schemes may exist in the devolved nations.

Grants are available on a one-time only basis to qualifying companies, up to a maximum of £9,000 on a broad range of export and internationalisation activities which must be agreed with a DIT International Trade Adviser (ITA). 

The scheme is based on 50/50 “matched funding”, meaning that to qualify for the maximum grant of £9,000 a company would be expected to commit to and demonstrate proven expenditure of £18,000. To apply for a grant of £5,000, a company would be expected to commit to and demonstrate proven expenditure of £10,000, for example.

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UKFT Update on the DIT Internationalisation Fund

UKFT understands that the allocation of grants is now used up in London, Oxford and Manchester but many other areas still have availability. (Update 27 April: Brands based in the South East and Buckinghamshire can still apply for DIT’s Internationalisation Fund to help with tradeshow costs. Check with your local area).

UK textile manufacturer Abraham Moon has successfully applied to the DIT Internationalisation Fund to attend a tradeshow in Milan in July 2022. Read more here.