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Introduction
In March 2022, the UK Government announced its largest ever research and development (R&D) budget for the period of 2022-2025 at £39.8bn. This means that a significant amount of this money has been made available in the form of innovation grants aimed at businesses who are working in high tech sectors or looking to transform other industries to focus on the UK becoming a world leading hub in manufacturing, transportation, digital, fintech and other sectors.
It is not currently clear where the latest Government’s innovation strategy will take UK R&D funding levels for 2026 towards 2030 after the end of this current funding period. However, in the meantime there are a large number of innovation funding opportunities businesses can apply for, which are showcased below.
What Are Some Of the Latest UK Innovation Grants Available?
i) Science and Technology Facilities Council: Cross-Cluster Proof of Concept Call 2024
Innovate UK, in partnership with the Science and Technology Facilities Council is providing funding worth up to £45,000 for businesses to submit their proof of concept idea across multiple clusters for space, energy, health and life sciences, quantum, digital and defence and security. Businesses will collaborate with project partners from Harwell or Sci-Tech Daresbury Campuses to take their proof of concept towards commercial viability.
Application Deadline: 16th October 2024
ii) HS2 Accelerator 7.0
The Connected Places Catapult in partnership with the Department for Transport has launched the latest round of its bespoke 20-week accelerator to develop new technology business cases and funded pilot projects for the HS2 rail scheme. Successful applicants will have access to scoping workshops, business case development, coaching and mentoring, funded project opportunities, industry events and showcase opportunities all to help further their high speed rail transportation concept.
Application Deadline: 13th October 2024
iii) Exploring Climate Cooling – concept papers
ARIA (Advanced Research + Innovation Agency) is providing a funding pot worth £56.8 million in total to explore whether approaches designed to delay or avert climate tipping points could be feasible, scalable, and safe. Businesses of all sizes are invited to apply with concept papers carrying out research and development on fundamental questions on the practicality, measurability, controllability, and likely side-effects of approaches that might one day be used to actively cool the Earth.
Application Deadline: 7th October 2024
iv) Northern Ireland Ambulance Service – Dynamic Resource Optimisation
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) is providing funding to businesses worth up to £100,000 as part of a challenge to come up with potential solutions to develop an affordable and effective tool to triangulate NIAS databases of information and planning tools to deliver the most effective, safe and optimised journey for patients using emergency vehicles.
Application Deadline: 30th September 2024
v) Innovation Exchange Challenge: Soundproofing for secure speech solutions
HMGCC Co-Creation (His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre) in partnership with Innovate UK is providing funding worth up to £60,000 for individual businesses or up to £120,000 if part of a consortium to provide innovative solutions to retrofit in offices or other locations used for government work to enable soundproofing for secure conversations. HMGCC Co-Creation wants to hear from organisations and individuals who are experts in materials capable of providing a high level of acoustic dampening or reflection.
Application Deadline: 24th October 2024
vi) Accelerating FemTech
Health Innovation Network in partnership with Innovate UK is providing funding worth up to £100,000 to help early-stage companies, university spinouts and academics focused on women’s health to take their early-stage innovation to the next level. These innovations should address current challenges in women’s health, including, but not limited to, menstruation management, chronic pelvic pain, maternity and neonatal safety.
Application Deadline: 13th October 2024
vii) TechX Clean Energy Accelerator 2025
The Net Zero Technology Centre is providing funding worth up to £50,000 to support clean energy start-ups at technology readiness level 3 to 6 with clear potential to accelerate the transition to an affordable net zero energy industry.The accelerator is open to businesses around the world and provides mentoring and expert support.
Application Deadline: 27th October 2024
viii) Cyber Local
Innovate UK and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have a funding pot worth £1.3 million for businesses of all sizes to apply for projects targeting cyber skills and innovation to help grow the UK cyber security sector. Projects must be delivered in one of seven defined regions within the UK. These regions are Northern Ireland, North-West England, South-West England, Yorkshire & Humber, Northeast England, East Midlands and West Midlands. Grants awarded will be between £25,000 and £150,000.
Application Deadline: 9th October 2024
How To Apply For Business Innovation Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested businesses can speak to innovation advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.
Want To Find The Latest UK Business Innovation Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK business innovation funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/
