The Made Smarter grant may cover half your deployment costs.
50% of qualifying technology costs — for eligible manufacturing SMEs in the Northeast
Made Smarter is a government-backed programme supporting manufacturing SMEs in the North East to adopt digital and AI technology. If you're eligible, it can significantly reduce the net cost of a DOMUS deployment — and we handle the application process as part of the engagement.
What is Made Smarter?
Made Smarter is a UK government initiative that helps manufacturing SMEs in the North East adopt industrial digital technologies — including AI, automation, and data analytics. The Northeast programme is delivered by local partners and targets businesses in Sunderland, Teesside, Tyne and Wear, and surrounding areas.
50%
Grant contribution rate — the programme matches your investment up to the cap
£20,000
Maximum grant for technology implementation
NE England
Programme area: Sunderland, Teesside, Tyne and Wear
Do you qualify?
Most manufacturing SMEs in the Northeast meet the criteria. Here's what the programme typically requires — eligibility is confirmed during the Discovery Session.
- Manufacturing business — fabrication, production, assembly, processing
- SME — typically fewer than 250 employees and under £50m turnover
- Based in Northeast England (Tyne and Wear, Teesside, County Durham, Northumberland)
- Not in receipt of other government grants that would cause duplication
- Willing to engage with programme monitoring and reporting requirements
How the grant maps to your deployment
| Phase | DOMUS cost | Grant contribution (50%) | Your net cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Session | £1,500–2,500 | £750–1,250 (if qualifying) | £750–1,250 |
| Data Hygiene + AI Deployment + Operational Readiness | £23,500–40,000 | Up to £18,750 | From ~£4,750 |
| Full engagement total | £25,000–42,500 | Up to £20,000 | From ~£5,000 |
Grant coverage depends on which costs qualify under the programme rules. The Discovery Session determines the exact scope and your eligible figure. All amounts exclude VAT.
We handle the application
Made Smarter applications are not complex, but they do require specific documentation and a defined project scope. Both come naturally from our engagement process — we build the application timeline into the Discovery Session and handle the submission on your behalf.
- 1
Discovery Session — We complete your eligibility check, define the project scope, and gather everything the application needs.
- 2
Application submission — We prepare and submit the grant application to the Made Smarter programme team on your behalf.
- 3
Grant decision — Once approved, the grant is paid to you as work progresses. Typical turnaround: 4–6 weeks from submission.