Deadline Date: February 27, 2026
The Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF) is a demand-led grant programme that supports small and micro businesses in Northern Ireland to invest in advanced digital technologies, enabling business transformation, increased productivity, and sustainable growth.
The focus areas and objectives of this opportunity include addressing financial barriers to digital adoption, increasing the proportion of innovation-active businesses, supporting economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, driving digital inclination across small and micro businesses, and fostering inclusive growth in urban and rural communities. Eligible projects must align with the applicant’s Digital Transformation Plan and demonstrate measurable business performance improvements, including increased turnover, job creation, and scalable productivity gains.
DTFF is a three-year programme running from October 2023 to October 2026, with up to £7.5 million available to support businesses. Funding ranges from £5,000 to £20,000 (ex VAT) per investment project, covering up to 70% of total project costs. Applicants must provide a minimum of 30% matched co-investment. The programme uses a competitive scoring process that evaluates the potential for digital transformation, economic impact, and business performance improvements.
Eligible investment types include capital equipment, off-the-shelf software solutions, and bespoke system development in the following areas: smart technologies and IoT, process automation via robotics or additive manufacturing, big data and analytics, immersive technologies (AR/VR/MR/Haptics), artificial intelligence and machine learning, and horizontal or vertical system integration, including blockchain technologies. DTFF does not cover ongoing software leasing, maintenance, updates, or training costs.
To qualify, businesses must be based in Northern Ireland within one of the 11 council areas, operate as a small or micro business, be VAT registered (or VAT exempt if trading above the threshold), have been actively trading for at least twelve months, have a Digital Transformation Plan, focus on one or more of the advanced digital technologies listed, and must not have received De Minimis Aid exceeding €300,000 over three consecutive fiscal years.
For more information, visit DTFF.
