Brands based in the South East and Buckinghamshire can still apply for DIT’s Internationalisation Fund to help with tradeshow costs. The fund can cover international tradeshow activity, as well as UK shows with international buyers (such as Pure, JATC (Just Around The Corner) and Moda.

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. UKFT understands that areas such as London, Manchester and Oxford have run out but some areas still have funds available.

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.

• 1.-Internationalisation-Fund—Overview-101220
• 2.-Internationalisation-Fund—Eligibility-Guidance101220

For businesses, based in the South East and Buckinghamshire, contact the South East International Trade Team: lucy.haine@tradesoutheast.com

DIT INTERNATIONALISATION FUND

Also, please see the UKFT update on the new UK Tradeshow Programme.

UKFT Support to Exhibit Internationally