Innovate UK Application Review Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

All applications that fit the competition scope are evaluated by carefully selected experts from business and academia, matched to each project’s specific field. If your application fails to meet either eligibility or scope requirements, we’ll notify you by email with a detailed explanation.

For most full-stage applications, our assessment follows these steps:

1. We assign applications confidentially to relevant experts. Assessors are not able to see or access any scoring or feedback that you may have received for a previous application
2. Each assessor independently scores and comments on your application. Assessors are not able to see each other’s scores or feedback
3. Applications are ranked based on average assessment scores. This is known as the panel sheet
4. The panel sheet is reviewed by the Innovation Lead responsible for the competition
5. The highest-ranking applications are recommended to Innovate UK for funding
6. The final recommended list is presented to the Innovate UK Funder’s Panel to obtain final approval for funding.

Watch video ‘How do assessors assess?‘

For certain competitions, we employ a portfolio approach to ensure balanced funding across various:

• Research and development categories
• Project durations and costs
• Geographic locations
• Strategic priorities

This approach might mean that some lower-scoring proposals receive funding to maintain strategic balance across our investment portfolio. If a particular competition is using portfolio approach, this will be stated in the competition brief.

Some competitions include an interview stage. A shortlist of applicants is selected to interview, based on their score in the initial assessment and the way their project fits with the wider portfolio. Here’s what to expect if you are invited to interview:

Your interview invitation will specify:

• Date and time (these are rarely changeable, so make sure you are available on the dates published within the specific competition brief)
• Duration
• Location or virtual arrangements
• Maximum number of attendees

You will be asked to provide a copy of your presentation slides and response to assessor feedback two weeks before your interview. This will allow the panel time to review your application and the additional information.

During the interview:

• Present your project and address previous assessment feedback
• Stick to allocated presentation time. If you overrun, you will be asked to stop to ensure fairness for all applicants
• Respond to any questions posed by the panel
• Note that no additional materials are permitted unless specifically requested

Once the interview is over, the panel will discuss your application, and independently score it based on the information you have provided in the presentation. Individual scores will remain anonymous and will not be moderated. The interview score typically supersedes your written assessment score.

After all interviews conclude, projects are re-ranked, and final decisions consider both scores and portfolio fit.

Watch video ‘How are successful applications selected for funding?‘

We’ll notify you of the funding decision by email. This decision is final, with no appeals process. You’ll receive detailed assessor feedback through your Innovation Funding Service dashboard, typically including:

• Constructive comments supporting scores
• Different perspectives from multiple assessors
• Areas for improvement

While feedback may sometimes appear contradictory – reflecting diverse expert viewpoints – it aims to help strengthen future applications. Please note that we cannot engage in discussions about feedback after it’s provided.

Our commitment to transparency and fairness ensures every application receives thorough, expert consideration. We encourage you to use assessor feedback constructively for future submissions, as it reflects our genuine interest in supporting innovative UK projects.

Watch video ‘How successful applicants receive their funding‘.