The Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF) is now open for its latest call, offering £5,000 to £20,000 in capital grant support to help small and micro manufacturers invest in transformative digital technologies.
For manufacturers considering an application, attending a DTFF pre-briefing session is strongly recommended. These sessions are designed to clarify what the fund will support, how applications are assessed, and how to position a project that delivers measurable operational impact.
What Manufacturers Will Learn
The pre-briefings provide a practical overview of:
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What DTFF means by digital transformation in a manufacturing context
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The eligibility criteria and evidence required from manufacturing businesses
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How to structure a project that improves productivity, resilience and competitiveness
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The application process, from Expression of Interest through to grant offer
The sessions also allow manufacturers to ask questions directly of the delivery team, helping to avoid common mistakes and unrealistic project assumptions.
Relevant Manufacturing Use Cases
DTFF is particularly suited to manufacturers looking to invest in areas such as:
- Automation and digitally enabled production processes
- Data capture, analytics and real-time performance monitoring
- AI-enabled planning, scheduling or quality control
- Smart factory technologies and systems integration
For many manufacturers, the fund can act as a catalyst for moving from manual or disconnected systems to more integrated, data-driven operations.
Who Should Attend?
Pre-briefings are aimed at small and micro manufacturing businesses that are actively trading and planning to apply for DTFF support. A representative with authority to submit applications and sign a potential Letter of Offer must attend on behalf of the business.
Sessions are delivered both online and in person across Northern Ireland’s council areas, ensuring accessibility for manufacturers regardless of location.
Why Attend?
Manufacturers that attend a pre-briefing are better placed to:
- Align their project with DTFF priorities
- Submit a stronger, more focused Expression of Interest
- Reduce delays caused by eligibility or scope issues
For manufacturers under pressure to improve productivity, manage costs and remain competitive, DTFF represents a valuable opportunity to invest in digital capability. The pre-briefing sessions are an essential first step in understanding how to make that investment count.
Manufacturing NI encourages eligible members to attend and prepare thoroughly before submitting an Expression of Interest.
There are a number of online and in person workshops-
| Online Session | Date | Time | Register |
| Session 1 | 02nd February 2026 | 14:00 – 16:00 | Register here |
| Session 2 | 03rd February 2026 | 11:30 – 13:30 | Register here |
| Session 3 | 10th February 2026 | 10:30 – 12:30 | Register here |
| Session 4 | 13th February 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 | Register here |
| Session 5 | 20th February 2026 | 12:30 – 14:30 | Register here |
| In Person Sessions | Council Area | Date | Time | Venue | Registration |
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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council | 10th February 2026 | 10:30 – 12:30 | ONLINE SESSION | Register here |
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Ards and North Down Borough Council | 17th February 2026 | 14:00 – 16:00 | Signal Centre, 2 Innotec Drive, Bangor, BT19 7PD | Register here |
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Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council | 20th February 2026 | 11:00 – 13:00 | Craigavon Civic Centre, 66 Lakeview Road, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon BT64 1AL | Register here |
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Belfast City Council | 13th February 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 | ONLINE SESSION | Register here |
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Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council | 06th February 2026 | 10:30 – 12:30 | Civic Headquarters, Large Committee Room, Cloonavin, 66 Portstewart Road, Coleraine BT52 1EY | Register here |
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Derry City and Strabane District Council | 12th February 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 | The Rafters Suite, Ebrington Hotel, Ebrington Square, Derry BT48 6FA | Register here |
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Fermanagh and Omagh District Council | 09th February 2026 | 10:30 – 12:30 | Conference Room Omagh Enterprise, Great Northern Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 5LU | Register here |
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Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council | 10th February 2026 | 08:30 – 10:30 | Cherry Room, Lagan Valley Island, 1 The Island, Lisburn BT27 4RL | Register here |
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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council | 10th February 2026 | 14:00 – 16:00 | Carrickfergus Enterprise Centre, 8 Meadowbank Road, Carrickfergus BT38 8YF | Register here |
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Mid Ulster District Council | 03rd February 2026 | 09:30 – 13:00 | The Burnavon, Burn Rd, Cookstown BT80 8DN | Register here |
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council | 03rd February 2026 | 11:30 – 13:30 | ONLINE SESSION | Register here |
The Digital Transformation Flexible Fund Pre-Briefing sessions are delivered by the William J Clinton Leadership Institute (QUB) on behalf of the FFNI Consortium.