News, opportunities and helpful tools
Stay up to date with the latest news affecting rural business owners including, funding opportunities and helpful tips from the GrowBiz team.
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2026 SURF Awards
The 2026 SURF Awards are now open for applications, celebrating different types of community regeneration projects. The deadline to apply is 5pm, 7th September. Find out more here.
Data Protection Law Update
New legal requirements for all businesses to have a data protection complaints process in place came into force on 19th June 2026. Find out more here.
Dewar Arts Awards
For young people under 30 who are living or working in Scotland and face financial barriers to fulfilling their potential in any art form. Find out more here.
Tay Cities Work Experience Programme
Up to £3,000 for businesses to host student work placements with a technology focus. Find out more here.
Creative Scotland Crowdmatch Fund
Creative individuals, groups and organisations based in Scotland can apply here for up to £10,000 match funding for an eligible crowdfunded project.
Highlights from the 2026 Regional EDGE Tayside Finals
March saw the Regional EDGE Tayside 2026 live pitching final and awards ceremony, which took place at the iconic V&A Museum in Dundee. Enjoy some highlights in this article.
Market Research Service
This free service from Scottish Enterprise provides Scottish companies with up-to-date information and insights to help them grow or develop new products. Find out more here.
Digital and Technology Adoption Capital Grant
Eligible businesses and enterprises in the Highlands and Islands can apply for help to adopt new digital technology. Find out more here.
CyberScotland Week
CyberScotland Week is taking place from Monday 23 - Saturday 28 February, with a theme this year of Can’t hack it!?, highlighting everyday actions we can all take to strengthen our cyber resilience.
Rateable Values for Business Premises
For anyone with business premises, the rateable value of those premises has just been reassessed and can be found here.
Join the GrowBiz Mentoring Programme
Could you join the GrowBiz mentoring programme on National Mentoring Day today? The programme has just been reaccredited to receive the highly-regarded Scottish Mentoring Network Project Quality Award after an assessment process.
Solar PV Assessment
Small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises in Scotland can get free, impartial solar PV assessments from Business Energy Scotland. Find out more here.
Electric Car Grant Scheme
Individual buyers, business fleets and leasing companies can benefit. Find out more here.
New Charity Regulations
There are new regulations impacting charities and social enterprises in 2025. Get a summary of each change and what you can do to prepare here.
Future Works Employer Recruitment Incentives
Perth & Kinross employers can receive a a financial contribution of up to £8,000 for the creation of new, sustainable job opportunities for those facing barriers to work. Email skillsandemployment@pkc.gov.uk for more information.
Perth & Kinross Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to fund projects that will enable businesses to expand their market overseas and into other parts of the UK. Find out more and apply here.
Carbon Literacy for Rural Industries
This one day course is offered on a quarterly basis for £200 per person. Find out more here.
Creative Scotland National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations
The grant is to support creative activity that runs for up to 18 months. Apply at any time here.
Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals
The funding is designed to support periods of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity for up to 24 months. Find out more and apply here.
Outer Hebrides Business Development Scheme
Grants of £3,000 for full-time businesses and £1,500 for part-time businesses in the Outer Hebrides, for up to 50% of eligible costs. Find out more here.