Sunderland Business Support Fund: Phase 3 Is Now Open — Here's What You Need to Know
If you run a small or medium-sized business in Sunderland, this one's for you. Phase 3 of the Sunderland Business Support Fund (SBSF) launched today, and it's designed to help local growing businesses access the expert support they need to improve and expand.
The fund is delivered by NBSL, thanks to funding from Sunderland City Council and The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. Previous phases saw strong demand, so if this sounds like it could be relevant to your business, it's worth getting your application in as soon as possible — eligibility assessments begin on 25 June 2026.
What's on offer?
The grant provides up to 40% funding for business improvement projects costing between £3,000 and £6,000 (VAT costs can't be funded). That means you could receive a meaningful contribution towards bringing in external expertise to tackle a specific challenge or opportunity within your business.
Like similar schemes, this fund isn't about buying equipment or capital items — it's focused on professional services and consultancy that drive genuine business improvement.
What kind of projects are eligible?
The range of eligible projects is broad. The fund covers areas such as:
Business growth planning and strategy development
Change management and business expansion planning
Product development and diversification
Process improvement systems
Marketing planning and web design or development
Software development
HR strategy planning and development
Financial restructuring and succession planning
Video production, animation and design for marketing
If you've had a project on the back burner because the cost felt like a stretch, this could be the push you need to make it happen.
Who can apply?
The eligibility criteria are straightforward. Your business must:
Be based in Sunderland — i.e. you pay your business rates to Sunderland City Council
Be actively trading and making sales
Be an SME with fewer than 250 employees
Be planning to grow — whether that's creating new jobs or safeguarding existing ones
Not have exceeded the £315,000 Minimum Financial Assistance threshold over the current and previous two financial years
Projects themselves need to support business growth, take no longer than three months to complete, and be finished (with the grant claimed) by November 2026 at the latest.
How do you apply?
You can apply now to get ahead of the queue — eligibility assessments begin on 25 June 2026. Given the demand these funds typically attract, applying early is definitely the smart move.
For full details and to submit your application, visit the Sunderland Business Support Fund page on the NBSL website. You can also apply directly via the SBSF application form. If you have questions about eligibility, contact NBSL at fundingsupport@nbsl.org.uk and they'll arrange a chat.
How HiThrive can help
As a registered provider with NBSL, HiThrive is an approved consultancy that Sunderland businesses can work with through this grant. If you're looking for support with business strategy, growth planning or performance improvement, our consultancy services fall squarely within the types of project the fund is designed to support.
Whether you need a clear growth strategy, a performance review to uncover what's holding your business back, or a structured plan to navigate a period of change, we can help — and this grant could cover a significant portion of the cost.
If you'd like to explore how the Sunderland Business Support Fund could work alongside our consultancy services, get in touch with us and we'll help you work out whether it's a good fit.
Based in Newcastle, North Tyneside or Northumberland? There's a separate fund available for your area too. Read our guide to the North of Tyne Business Support Fund: Phase 3.
