FAQs

The Northern Ireland Investment Fund (NIIF) provides commercial debt funding for development projects that support economic growth, regeneration and the low-carbon transition across Northern Ireland. The Fund has £150m of capital, provided by the Northern Ireland Department of Finance, and is open for applications from viable projects that cannot secure funding from traditional sources.

The Fund has £150m to invest in, which is recycled as loans are repaid. We consider individual loan applications ranging from £3m to £30m.

The Fund provides debt funding only for development projects. This can include senior debt, mezzanine finance and whole-loan solutions. The Fund does not provide grant funding.

The Fund primarily invests in projects located in Northern Ireland. In limited circumstances, cross-border projects in the Republic of Ireland may be considered where there is a clear benefit to Northern Ireland.

The Fund considers a wide range of commercial, regeneration and low-carbon development projects. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering project viability and alignment with the Fund's regeneration objectives. If you are unsure whether your project is eligible, we recommend you contact the fund managers to discuss.

Yes. The Fund can support energy efficiency, energy generation and energy distribution projects, where these align with the Fund's objectives and deliver clear economic or environmental benefits.

Funding is provided on commercial terms. Interest rates and structure depend on the specific characteristics and risk profile of each project and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To apply, you should register your interest by submitting an outline of your project through the application form on the Borrow page. The fund team will review your submission and confirm whether the project is suitable for further consideration.

Where suitable information is provided, the Fund can issue high-level terms within one week. More detailed timelines depend on the complexity of the project and information available.

Yes. The Fund can provide funding alongside other public or private capital sources, where appropriate. This flexibility allows the Fund to help bridge funding gaps in viable development projects.

Each project is assessed individually. Key considerations include:

• Project viability
• Contribution to economic growth, regeneration or low-carbon outcomes
• Alignment with the Fund's objectives

If you are uncertain whether your project meets these criteria, an initial discussion is encouraged.