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Introduction
According to the July 2025 Trade Confidence Outlook by the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit, 24% of UK SME exporters reported an increase in export sales in Q2 of 2025, 26% experienced a decrease and 50% reported no change to trading conditions. This signifies significantly worse export trading sentiment for SMEs when compared with pre-Brexit and Covid-19 Pandemic where in Q2 of 2018, only 14% of SME exporters reported a decrease in overseas sales.
Some of the main concerns for exporting SMEs cited in the survey include the impact of tariffs when exporting goods to the United States and also a lack of perceived overall finance and support available for exporting activities for smaller businesses when compared with larger exporters.
There is some funding and support for overseas market development activities available for new and existing exporters from a range of providers, including the local councils, chambers of commerce, enterprise support agencies and sector specific export specialists.
What Are Some Of the Latest UK Overseas Market Development Funding Opportunities Available?
i) ONE Enterprise Fund
Opportunity North East and Andrew Salvesen Family Trust is providing interest free loans for businesses in key sectors in the North East of England to enable them to achieve their international growth plans at key points in their development. Eligible costs can include export and internationalisation activities, or securing relevant skills and experience. Eligible sectors include agriculture, alcohol, biotechnology, fisheries, food, digital technologies, oil and gas and tourism. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Business Growth Grant
Business Gateway Dumfries and Galloway is running a scheme that aims to support the international growth of existing local businesses within their first three years of trading. Eligible expenditure includes consultancy support to develop an international marketing strategy and exhibition support to get help with costs for domestic or overseas trade shows and industry exhibitions. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Trade Accelerator Grant
Invest Northern Ireland is providing funding to support businesses to explore new markets outside Northern Ireland. Eligible expenditure can include market research, attending/participating in trade fairs, conference and trade missions and product demonstrations. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Export Accelerator
East Midlands Chamber is running an accelerator for businesses that are new to exporting or looking to expand into new overseas markets. SMEs can access one-to-one support, up to £2,000 of free export training and additional grants to cover costs such as training, consultancy, salaries and equipment relating to overseas trade and expansion. Businesses from Derby, Nottingham and the Nottinghamshire region are eligible to apply. Funding up to £8,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
v) Birmingham and Solihull Export Support Programme
Business Growth West Midlands is running a grant scheme to enable local businesses to realise their exporting potential in existing and new markets, and to secure new international opportunities. Eligible costs include market research, consultancy on intellectual property rights (IPR), translation services/cultural advice, taking part in trade shows and overseas trade missions, routes to market and production of an export strategy. Funding up to £6,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Internationalisation Fund
West Yorkshire Business Boost is providing funding to support SMEs looking to start exporting or grow their export capability. Eligible costs include international exploration, international consultants, global market research and strategic planning. Funding up to £2,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Business Exporting Grant
Inverclyde Council is providing funding to local businesses to support export activities. Eligible activities include developing and implementing an exporting plan, attending overseas exhibitions and trade shows and producing documentation. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Trade Fair, Training, Accreditation and Digital Grant
Argyll and Bute Council is providing funding backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to assist local businesses with the cost of exhibiting at a UK or international trade fairs. Eligible costs include trade stand fee, training fee, accreditation fee, travel to attend, accommodation required to attend and digital equipment or supplier costs. Funding up to £1,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 1st December 2025
How To Apply For Overseas Market Development Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested businesses can speak to export and overseas market development advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.
Want To Find The Latest UK Overseas Market Development Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK overseas market development funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/