The Made Smarter UK scheme, designed to support growth and innovation in the manufacturing sector, has officially launched in the East of England.

The scheme will focus on Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex, helping SME companies get ready for the digital revolution and take on a wealth of new tech designed to make them more productive and profitable.

Running in the UK since 2019, this will be the first year companies in the East of England have had access to the benefits of the programme which include:

• 50% matched funding grants up to £20,000
• Free intensive consultancy and digital road mapping
• Free digital leadership and change management courses
• 75% funded 6 week internship for post graduates (up to £2060)

Programme Manager, James Williamson, announced, “the adoption of this programme in the East of England is very exciting, even in our pilot year we have the potential to support a wide range of different companies. Manufacturing is one of the unsung backbone’s on the East of England, so we’re thrilled to help make the sector more productive and successful.”

The team are now in place and have started working with the businesses that have already applied to the Made Smarter scheme from the East of England, ensuring that the sector knows the options available and gets strong support from local government.

The programme runs until 31 March 2026 with extensive support throughout. If you’re interested in learning more or signing up, email the team or head to the website where you can find more information and register your interest.