Innovation funding opportunities
Looking for funding and support to develop your idea? At Innovate UK Business Connect, we connect businesses, researchers and innovators with the right opportunities they need to grow.
Explore opportunities for funding and expert guidance, to help turn your innovation into a commercial success.
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iX Challenge - Comparing and validating high-precision timing signals at scale
Opens: 10/08/2026
Closes: 18/09/2026
This challenge seeks innovative solutions in comparing and validating high-precision timing signals at scale.
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iX Challenge - Managing resilient switching between critical timing sources
Opens: 10/08/2026
Closes: 18/09/2026
This challenge seeks novel solutions to managing resilient switching between critical timing sources.
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iX Challenge - Generating and controlling precise timing and synchronisation offsets
Opens: 10/08/2026
Closes: 18/09/2026
This challenge seeks novel solutions to generating and controlling precise timing and synchronisation offsets.
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iX Challenge - Distributing ultra-stable time and frequency over optical networks
Opens: 10/08/2026
Closes: 18/09/2026
This challenge seeks innovative solutions to distributing ultra-stable time and frequency over optical networks.
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iX Challenge - Improving the measurement and analysis of ultra-precise timing signals
Opens: 10/08/2026
Closes: 18/09/2026
This challenge is seeking innovative solutions capable of measuring the exact time elapsed between two specific events, such as voltage pulses or signal edges, and recording those measurements over extended periods.
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Critical Materials Supply Chains Investment Readiness 2026
Opens: 10/08/2026
Closes: 04/09/2026
Up to 15 UK SMEs will benefit from support to accelerate their investment journey.
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UK Defence Innovation Security Open Call
Opens: 03/08/2026
Closes: 27/08/2026
UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has relaunched the Security Open Call, which seeks disruptive technologies that can help address some of the UK’s most pressing security challenges.
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Earthshot Prize Nominee Expression of Interest
Opens: 06/08/2026
Closes: 09/09/2026
The search for the winners of The Earthshot Prize 2027 has begun and Innovate UK is proud to be an official nominator.
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Quantum computing applications for large scale impact: CR&D
Opens: 04/08/2026
Closes: 16/09/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £13 million for building quantum computing software applications that show clear value and potential high impact on near term quantum computing systems.
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Accelerating adoption of quantum enabled sensing and PNT
Opens: 04/08/2026
Closes: 16/09/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £14.3 million to accelerate the adoption of quantum enabled position, navigation, and timing (PNT) and sensing technologies by addressing specific technical and commercial barriers.
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Battery Investment Readiness 2026
EOI closes 4th Sep 2026, competition dates tbc
Apply now to be part of the Battery Investment Readiness Programme for 2026. Innovate UK Business Connect will select up to 15 SMEs to join the programme to accelerate their investment journey.
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Ultra long duration energy storage project development studies
Opens: 03/08/2026
Closes: 30/09/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £3 million for project development studies to support the development of ultra long duration battery energy storage demonstrators in the UK.
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Farming Futures R&D fund: Automation and Robotics Round 2
Opens: 03/08/2026
Closes: 30/09/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £20 million to develop innovative solutions for automation and robotics in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.
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HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Imaging hidden objects in walls
Opens: 10/08/2026 Closes: 17/09/2026
Could your technology help reveal hidden objects concealed in walls, ceilings and floors? This is the focus of the latest funded challenge launched by HMGCC Co-Creation, which is seeking imaging technologies able to prevent unwanted surveillance.
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NERC ICURe Engage - October 2026
Opens: 27/07/2026
Closes: 07/09/2026
A 4-week, part-time programme for those projects previously funded by NERC, tailored for researchers and technicians of NERC.
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European Space Agency: Environmental Crimes
Opens: 19/10/2026
Closes: 25/06/2027
This opportunity supports the development of space-based applications and services targeting environmental crimes.
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UK Space Agency: Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) Programme - Call 3
Opens: 20/07/2026
Closes: 07/09/2026
The UK Space Agency is seeking to award funding of around £4 million to £25 million per project for proposals that will drive innovation in satellite communications and strengthen the UK’s position in the global constellation supply chain.
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UK Space Agency: National Space Innovation Programme – Call 3
Opens: 20/07/2026
Closes: 21/08/2026
Proposals for UK-based space projects are invited, with up to £20 million of support available.
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Defence and National Security Innovation Exchange (iX) - call for Challenge Holders
Opens: 28/07/2026
Closes: 28/08/2026
Do you have a specific technical challenge with a defence or national security application but not sure of the practical solutions for how to solve it? This could be the right opportunity for you.
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Royce ICURe Discover: October 2026
Opens: 21/07/2026
Closes: 18/09/2026
A part-time online market exploration programme for researchers and technicians in advanced materials, with up to £2,500 support for market discovery activities.
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Global Incubator Programme: USA (New York) - Clean Energy Industries
Opens: 23/07/2026
Closes: 04/09/2026
Innovate UK seeks up to 8 high potential companies in the clean energy industries sector to work with the Urban Future Lab in New York.