Ambition North Wales Advanced Wireless Technology Grant Scheme – EOI
The Advanced Wireless Grant Scheme offers support to organisations operating in north Wales to upgrade or enhance their wireless connectivity systems to improve productivity and efficiency.
- Opening date:
- Closing date: (Midnight)
Contents
Summary
The Advanced Wireless Grant Scheme is designed to help public and private sector organisations in North Wales to upgrade or enhance their use of advanced wireless systems. With the improvement of digital infrastructure across our region, it aims to help create stronger communities, more innovative businesses and a more resilient economy.
Advanced wireless technologies are revolutionising the way businesses operate by providing faster, more reliable and more secure connectivity. In this context, advanced wireless technologies cover the full range of wireless solutions used in communications services. While 5G networks will be a significant area of focus, we also recognise the important role of Internet of Things (IoT), Wi-Fi and satellite communications.
A total of up to £18.8 million capital funding is currently available between 2026 and 2030. Applicants must be based in North Wales and projects must take place within the region. The North Wales region consists of the counties of Isle of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham.
Grant funding covers the Implementation stage of projects only; it will not cover the Operation stage. Following implementation, the successful applicants will operate the solution for at least three years, continuing to evaluate the impact of the solution and reporting on benefit realisation.
Applicants must be able to provide at least 50% match funding to deliver their project and must be able to generate new jobs as well as economic, social and/or environmental benefits such as productivity gains, efficiencies, cost savings and welfare improvements.
Eligibility
The grant scheme is open to businesses and organisations in North Wales who can demonstrate a clear commercial need for, or benefit from, new advanced wireless technologies to support their operations. The scheme is open to organisations from all industries and sectors, subject to meeting the eligibility and assessment criteria.
To be eligible, applicants must:
Have a business address and operations in North Wales consisting of the following counties: Isle of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham.
Apply as a single lead organisation able to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) with Ambition North Wales (partners permitted but grant agreement is with the lead).
Have a proposed project that must be delivered and implemented within North Wales (including deployment/operation of capital equipment in the region).
Be adopters/beneficiaries of advanced wireless technologies (not suppliers seeking funding to develop a solution to sell to others).
Have at least 50% match funding in place (see Section 1.4.2 of the Guidance document).
Be financially viable, with recent financial information available to evidence organisational stability.
Demonstrate appropriate governance, financial management, and assurance arrangements, including the ability to manage public funds and deliver capital projects. Revenue costs are not eligible.
Commit to the scheme’s mandatory outcomes and targets - including job creation, increased GVA and measurable productivity/efficiency improvements.
Commit to complying with relevant procurement and subsidy control requirements.
Agree to monitoring, reporting, and evaluation requirements for the duration of the grant funding agreement.
Meet delivery and time commitments: funded activity completed by 31 March 2030, with benefits realisation completed by 31 March 2033 (and operate the solution for at least three years post-implementation).
The following project costs will not be eligible for grant support:
costs that are incurred prior to formal grant approval
costs that do not meet capital eligibility requirements
or costs that fall outside the geographic or thematic scope of the scheme.
Objectives
This grant scheme has the following objectives:
To create between 120 - 200 new jobs in North Wales through the project by 2033
To create net additional GVA of £41m - £62m through the project by 2033
To deliver a total investment of between £29.6m and £37.6m through the programme by 2033
To enable 100-200 business and public sector users in of North Wales to take advantage of advanced wireless* connectivity by 2030
Dates
The Expression of Interest window will run from 30 June 2026 - 11 August 2026 12:00 (midday)
The expression of interest clarification questions deadline will be 10 August 16:00
Applicants will be notified w/c 1 September 2026
More details on timelines can be found in the full Guidance document.
How to apply
The application process involves two stages:
1. Expression of Interest (EOI)
Where applicants outline the project plan, benefits and readiness to move into delivery.
2. Full Application
Where invited applicants will submit quotes, evidence and cost detail and timelines.
If invited to full Application, organisations will be expected to follow Ambition North Wales Procurement Principles.
Supporting information
Briefing Webinar
Ambition North Wales is hosting a briefing webinar on 14 July 2026 to introduce the scheme and highlight advanced wireless use cases. You can register for the webinar at: link
Adoption Toolkits
As part of the Belfast City Council 5G Innovation Region scheme, an Adoption Toolkit was developed to provide practical information on adopting advanced wireless technology, example use cases and information on the local advanced wireless ecosystem. We have been given permission to share the toolkit to support beneficiaries of this scheme:
Belfast City Council – 5G Innovation Region - https://smartbelfast.city/wpcontent/uploads/2025/04/NI-5G-Adoption-Toolkit.pdf
Clarification Questions
Questions may be sent to digital@ambitionnorth.wales no later than the Clarifications Deadline set out in the Timetable in Section 1 of the Guidance.