Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. It drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base.
If you’re a UK-based business or research organisation, you may be able to compete for government-backed funding to:
- research and develop a process, product or service
- test your innovation ideas
- collaborate with other organisations
Every month there are a range of new Innovate UK grant funding competitions with millions of pounds on offer to innovative businesses. Below is a summary of the latest competitions open for entries this month.
UK SMEs can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million to collaborate on high-quality R&D projects with partners across Europe and associated countries.
- Competition opens: Monday 20 December 2019
- Competition closes: Wednesday 13 February 2020 12:00pm
Commercialising quantum technology: technology projects round 1, full stage
UK businesses can express an interest in applying for a share of up to £30 million to collaborate on quantum technology development projects. This funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
- Competition opens: Monday 9 December 2019
- Competition closes: Wednesday 5 February 2020 12:00pm
ISCF smart sustainable plastic packaging: demonstrator projects, round 1
UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £12 million for practical demonstrator projects in smart and sustainable plastic packaging. This funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
- Competition opens: Monday 9 December 2019
- Competition closes: Wednesday 19 February 2020 12:00pm
ISCF smart sustainable plastic packaging: feasibility studies for demonstrators
UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £700,000 to develop proposals for practical demonstrator projects in smart and sustainable plastic packaging. This funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
- Competition opens: Monday 9 December 2019
- Competition closes: Wednesday 19 February 2020 12:00pm
SBRI: innovation in railway platform end and edge technology
Opportunity for businesses to apply for a share of £1.08 million, plus VAT, to develop solutions to detect and deter trespass at railway platform ends and edges.
- Competition opens: Monday 2 December 2019
- Registration closes: Wednesday 22 January 2020 12:00pm
- Competition closes: Wednesday 29 January 2020 12:00pm
SBRI: innovation in automated survey processing for railway structure gauging, phase 1
Businesses can apply for a share of £720,000, plus VAT, to develop a demonstrator for automated railway structure gauging processing.
- Competition opens: Monday 2 December 2019
- Registration closes: Wednesday 22 January 2020 12:00pm
- Competition closes: Wednesday 29 January 2020 12:00pm
December expression of interest: ATI programme
The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme provides funding for industrial research and capital projects to encourage innovation in UK civil aerospace.
- Competition opens: Monday 2 December 2019
- Competition closes: Wednesday 18 December 2019 12:00pm
If you would like help or advice in submitting an application for an Innovate UK grant funding competition, contact us for a no-obligation, free consultation. Our specialist grant writing partners can advise if your business is eligible to apply and help you win funding.