£280,000 fund for 5G projects now open

Belfast's 5G Innovation Region funding competition is now open for applications

A new funding competition is available to support local businesses in Belfast and surrounding areas in using 5G and digital technologies to enhance their operations and services.

Businesses can apply for grants ranging from £50,000 to £100,000 for innovative projects that leverage 5G and other types of advanced wireless connectivity to achieve economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Eligibility criteria

The competition is open to businesses and organisations located within the Belfast Region City Deal council areas, including:

• Antrim and Newtownabbey
• Ards and North Down
• Belfast
• Lisburn and Castlereagh
• Mid and East Antrim
• Newry, Mourne and Down

Projects must be delivered in the Belfast Region City Deal area.

Applicants must provide 30% match funding. This can include in-kind contributions such as the cost of labour associated with the project.

Belfast City Council will fund capital expenditure of up to 70% of project costs. Funding is for the delivery of projects or use cases that combine the unique benefits of 5G with digital technologies like automation, IoT, artificial intelligence, robotics, and immersive technology, to solve real-world problems, such as improving processes and operations within a business or organisation.

Read the competition guidance before completing your application.

To find out more, join an online information session on 28 August 2024 or email innovationfunding@belfastcity.gov.uk.

This initiative is part of the Belfast 5G Innovation Region programme, led by Belfast City Council's City Innovation Office and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The programme collaborates with businesses, academia, and the public sector to promote the adoption of 5G, aiming to drive growth in the region’s digital economy.

First published 21 August 2024