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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Digital Catapult: Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator 2026
Opens: 08/07/2026
Closes: 06/09/2026
The Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator Programme 2026 is a nine-month programme that supports partnerships between UK technology SMEs and industry adopters to accelerate the adoption of digital twin technologies.
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ORE Catapult: North East Offshore Wind Innovation and Demonstration
Opens: 07/07/2026
Closes: 03/09/2026
The Innovation Development (IDP) funding pot offers grants ranging from £150,000 to £300,000 for R&D in offshore wind carried out by companies in NE England.
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European Space Agency: The Arctic Region: Safety, Navigation and Operations
Opens: 05/09/2026
Closes: 05/11/2026
Applications are invited on space-enabled solutions targeting safe maritime navigation and operations in the Arctic where the melting ice is not only resulting in increased traffic but also posing significant hazards to vessels.
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Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime 2026
Opens: 16/06/2026
Closes: 28/07/2026
The Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime is a six-month programme supporting SMEs developing innovative solutions for maritime decarbonisation. Up to six TRL 5–8 companies will receive tailored commercial support and apply for up to £30k to run a four‑month trial with partners.
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: Horizontal actions - Transformative change towards a nature-positive economy and society
Opens: 06/10/2026
Closes: 16/09/2027
Supporting R&I activities dedicated to biodiversity across pillar II of Horizon Europe, with up to €50m for the largest projects.
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Global Incubator Programme: Seabed to Space Dual-Use Technologies, Canada
Opens: 08/06/2026
Closes: 24/07/2026
Innovate UK seeks up to eight innovative UK companies with dual-use civilian & military tech within the national security, defence, and marine technology sectors to join our tailored 12-month incubation programme delivered in partnership with COVE, a global innovation hub located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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European Space Agency - The Arctic Region: Environmental and Economic Resilience
Apply by 4 Sep 2026
Supporting the development of space‑enabled services addressing environmental protection and climate resilience in the Arctic region.
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Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Energy Efficiency
Opens: 26/03/2026
Closes: 16/09/2026
Up to £150m total funding across 3 strands: this strand will fund the development and build of innovative vessel energy efficiency technology and any accompanying innovative infrastructure upgrades.
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Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Electric Power
Opens: 26/03/2026
Closes: 16/09/2026
Up to £150m total funding across 3 strands: this strand will fund the development and build of innovative 100% battery electric vessels, accompanying charging infrastructure, and shore power systems including related energy infrastructure and vessel upgrades.
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Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Alternative Fuels
Opens: 26/03/2026
Closes: 16/09/2026
Up to £150m total funding across 3 strands: this strand will fund the development and build of innovative alternative fuel vessels and accompanying port refuelling infrastructure.
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: EU Missions - Restore our Ocean and Waters
2026 calls close 23 Sep 2026; 2027 calls close 21 Sep 2027
Restoring the health of the ocean, seas, and inland waters by 2030, with funding of €1m-€8m per call.
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: EU Missions - Adaptation to Climate Change
Various closing dates from Sep 2026 to Sep 2027
Calls in the Adaptation to Climate Change EU Mission, with funding of up to €20m for the largest calls
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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.
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Earthshot Prize 2026: Nominee Expression of Interest
Opens: 12/09/2025
Closes: 16/10/2025
Innovate UK is accepting expressions of interest from individuals, communities, businesses and organisations that believe they meet the Earthshot criteria.