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:
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.
More information
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.
More information
Battery Investment Readiness 2026
EOI closes 13 September 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.
More information
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.
More information
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.
More information
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.
More information
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.
More information
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.
More information
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.
More information
Defence and National Security Innovation Exchange (iX) - call for Challenge Holders
Closing Soon
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.
More information
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.
More information
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.
More information
Farming Innovation Programme: Feasibility Round 5
Opens: 15/07/2026
Closes: 09/09/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £15 million for feasibility projects to benefit farmers, growers or foresters in England.
More information
AHRC CreaTech ICURe Discover: October 2026
Opens: 14/07/2026
Closes: 09/09/2026
AHRC CreaTech ICURe Discover is a part-time online market exploration programme for researchers and technicians, with up to £2,500 support for market discovery activities.
More information
EPSRC Healthcare Technologies ICURe Engage November 2026
Opens: 10/07/2026
Closes: 09/10/2026
EPSRC Healthcare Technologies ICURe Engage is a four-week, part-time programme which helps healthcare technologies researchers identify who could benefit from their research and explore the benefits of entrepreneurship.
More information
UK Space Agency: EO Missions and Technology Innovation Call 1
Closing Soon
Send intention to submit by 21 August
Applications are encouraged for innovative, early Technology Readiness Level (TRL) projects supporting climate monitoring, the environment, dual use and commercial applications.
More information
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.
More information
Global Incubator Programme - Clean Energy, Singapore
Closing Soon
Opens: 17/07/2026
Closes: 31/08/2026
Innovate UK seeks innovative Clean Energy companies to participate in an acceleration programme to support growth by exploring the potential of the Singapore market.
More information
ORE Catapult: North East Offshore Wind Innovation and Demonstration
Closing Soon
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.
More information
KAVA Call 14 – Upscaling: Raw Materials & Advanced Materials
Opens: 01/07/2026
Closes: 16/11/2026
Receive funding for projects in mining, materials, and recycling from €500,000 up to €2.5+ million.
More information
EIT Health Innovation Uptake Call 2026
Opens: 24/06/2026
Closes: 16/09/2026
EIT Health is calling for mature digital, data-driven and AI-powered healthcare solutions ready to scale across European markets: up to €650k per project.