About the events

An online briefing event will be held on 3 September, providing organisations interested in applying for this opportunity to learn more about the National Materials Innovation Programme, competition scope and objectives while connecting with potential collaborators from across the materials ecosystem. At the briefing event, you will:

• hear about the competition scope, objectives, eligibility requirements, and assessment criteria
• have the opportunity to join an online networking platform (B2 Match) to form collaborations and consortia and network with organisations from across the materials value chain and identify potential consortium partners

Following the online briefing event, there will be two drop in clinics where potential applicants can address any queries informally to Innovate UK in the company of their peers.

Clinic 1: 11 September, 10:30 – 12:00
Clinic 2: 7 October, 10:30 – 12:00

Who should attend?

These events are aimed at organisations interested in leading or collaborating on an a National Materials Innovation Programme CR&D application.

We particularly encourage attendance from:

• organisations intending to lead or join a consortium application
• catapults and innovation centres
• universities, research organisations and academic institutions
• SMEs and larger businesses operating across the materials ecosystem

About the competition

This is an opportunity for UK-based advanced material innovators to secure grant funding for projects that speed the translation of advanced materials innovations in three prioritised high growth themes and one strategic opportunity theme toward industrial adoption across the eight growth driving sectors identified in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy (IS-8).

This funding is part of the National Materials Innovation Programme, which was announced as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. This competition is the first round of collaborative industrial research projects under the programme, designed to speed the translation of advanced materials innovations toward industrial adoption in three prioritised high growth themes and one strategic opportunity theme.

What’s on offer?

Up to £12 million in grant funding available across four material innovation opportunity themes comprising:

• three prioritised high growth opportunity themes identified in the National Materials Innovation Strategy
• one strategic opportunity theme: Metamaterials and Metasurfaces

Collaborative research and development grants with a maximum award of £1 million, covering up to 70% of eligible costs for micro/small organisations, 60% for medium enterprises and 50% for large enterprises.

Key dates

Competition opens: 01 September 2026
Application deadline: 28 October 2026
Project start from: 01 February 2027

Event schedule