Apply for innovation funding

Guide summary

Apply for innovation funding through Innovate UK competitions. You must clearly show your project is innovative, has market potential, and a clear route to selling your product. Grants range from £25,000 to over £2 million, but you usually need to contribute 30-70% of project costs yourself.

Check Innovate UK competitions regularly throughout the year
Show your project is innovative, not just a small improvement
Prove your product has market potential and a route to customers
Include technical detail — assessors are experts
Prepare to pay 30-70% of project costs as match funding
Grants range from £25,000 to over £2 million
Apply for sector-specific competitions like clean energy or health
Feasibility studies start with small 'smart grants'

Innovate UK is the UK's innovation agency, running hundreds of funding competitions each year for businesses developing innovative products, processes, or services.

Innovation funding from Innovate UK

Government grants for research and development, innovation projects, and game-changing technologies.

Funding types: Grants, loans, and competitions for R&D projects
Typical grant size: £25,000 to £2 million+ depending on competition
Match funding: Usually requires business contribution (often 30-70% of project costs)
Application method: Through specific competitions announced throughout the year

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Types of funding available

Funding ranges from small 'smart grants' for feasibility studies to multi-million pound collaborative R&D projects. Some are sector-specific (e.g., clean energy, health), others are open to all innovations.

What makes a strong application

Successful applications clearly demonstrate innovation (not just improvement), market potential, and a viable route to commercialization. Technical detail matters - assessors are experts in their fields.

Legal basis

Primary legislation and key regulations

Subsidy Control Act 2022 Primary 2022 · UK-wide Higher Education and Research Act 2017 Primary 2017 · UK-wide

Browse UK legislation legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

Apply for innovation funding (opens in a new tab)

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Apply for innovation funding

Types of funding available

What makes a strong application

Legal basis

Official guidance

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