Many businesses and organisations are unaware of the possibilities and the issues that will influence the outcome of any grant application. Some of the key points to note are.

• Grants are discretionary and are never guaranteed until they are finally agreed.
• Location is likely to be a key consideration, with the regeneration of areas of high unemployment and reclamation of brown-field sites a priority.
• Grants may be conditional upon the recipient meeting the criteria for a set time to avoid claw-back or loss of funding.
• Grants are often related to project viability and if a project is viable without a grant it is unlikely to be given.
• Funds are likely to be limited and given on a first come, first served basis for a fixed time period.
• A comprehensive application including a business plan and supporting documentation from the architect, client and others will probably have to be compiled and submitted.
• Grants are usually mutually exclusive, meaning that only one grant will be available on any project.