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.
Filter By
Sectors:
Engineering Biology Collaborative R&D: Round 3
Opens: 08/09/2026
Closes: 03/11/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £8.5 million to develop and scale Engineering Biology platforms, products and services. This funding is part of UKRI’s Engineering Biology Programme.
More information
Engineering Biology Access to Infrastructure Pilot
Opens: 07/09/2026
Closes: 21/10/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £5 million for Engineering Biology pilot scale and validation projects. This funding is part of UKRI’s Engineering Biology Programme and funded by BIST.
More information
2027 European Prize for Women Innovators
Opens: 02/09/2026
Closes: 01/12/2026
The 2027 European Prize for Women Innovators is your chance to gain European recognition for the impact of your work and inspire the next generation of innovators.
More information
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 3
Opens: 13/08/2026
Closes: 14/10/2026
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults, working with businesses, can apply for a share of up to £12.5m to fund innovation projects.
More information
Women TechEU 2026-27
Weekly stage 1 submissions: four stage 2 deadlines throughout 2026-27
Women TechEU 2 EIC is an EU-funded project designed to support women-led early-stage deep tech startups from Europe. Each startup can receive €75,000 in funding.
More information
Horizon Europe 2026-27: Horizontal Actions - Bridging Actions
Various closing dates between January and June 2027
A series of topics aiming to facilitate a smooth transition between Horizon Europe 2021–2027 and the next EU R&I Framework Programme, Horizon Europe 2028–2034.
More information
Innovation Loans Expression of Interest
There is no submission deadline
UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprises can submit an Expression of Interest for loans for close to market innovative projects with strong commercial potential. They must significantly improve the UK economy and drive societal benefit.
More information
Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 11, business and non-academic
Opens: 22/06/2026
Closes: 04/11/2026
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £110 million to deliver ambitious research and innovation and develop future leaders. This funding is from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
More information
Circular Bio-Based Europe: 2026 call for project proposals
Opens: 23/04/2026
Closes: 22/09/2026
CBE-JU is funding projects developing innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions, with up to €20m for the largest projects.
More information
European Innovation Council: Pathfinder, Transition, and Accelerator 2026
Opens: 01/01/2026
Closes: 28/10/2026
Funding opportunities worth over €1.4 billion for strategic technologies and scaling up companies, with grants of up to €4m.
More information
Horizon Europe 2026-27: Climate, Energy and Mobility (Cluster 5)
Various closing dates from Mar 2026 to Sep 2027
Funding of up to €100m per call to fight climate change, primarily by improving energy and transport sectors.
More information
British Business Bank Start-up Loans
Apply anytime
Unsecured loans of up to £25,000 for UK businesses which have been operating for 5 years or less, repayable over 1-5 years.
More information
Horizon Europe 2026-27: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Various closing dates from Apr 2026 to Nov 2027
Research and innovation projects to boost top researchers’ careers through mobility and innovative doctoral and postdoctoral training, including academia-business collaborations.
More information
British Business Bank Investment Fund for Scotland
Apply anytime
The Investment Fund for Scotland will deliver a £150 million commitment of new funding to the country.
More information
British Business Bank South West Investment Fund
Apply anytime
The South West Investment Fund will deliver a £200 million commitment of new funding to smaller businesses.
More information
British Business Bank Midlands Engine Investment Fund II
Apply anytime
The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II will deliver £400 million of new funding to small and medium-sized businesses across the Midlands.
More information
British Business Bank Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II
Apply anytime
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will deliver a £660 million commitment of new funding to smaller businesses.
More information
ICURe Explore programme cohorts
ICURe Explore cohort programmes throughout 2024 and 2025
Innovate UK ICURe Explore is a fast-paced, full-time, 12–16-week market exploration programme. Up to £35,000 for Entrepreneurial Lead’s salary and costs.
More information
ICURe Discover programme cohorts
ICURe Discover cohorts run from April 2025 to end March 2026
Innovate UK ICURe Discover is part-time market discovery programme for researchers and technicians, offering up to £2,500 of support and a clear onward pathway to ICURe Explore. ICURe Discover is available in two delivery formats: ICURe Discover and ICURe Discover Sprint. Completion of either format fulfils the prerequisite to apply for ICURe Explore or Exploit.
More information
British Business Bank Investment Fund for Wales
Applications open year-round
Offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans £25k-£100k, debt finance £100k-£2m, and equity investment up to £5m.
More information
British Business Bank Investment Fund for Northern Ireland
Applications open year-round
The Fund offers two different commercial finance options: loans ranging from £25,000 to £2 million, and equity investments up to £5 million.