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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IBIC ICURe Discover: September 2026
Closing Soon
Opens: 08/05/2026
Closes: 17/07/2026
IBIC (Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst) ICURe Discover is a part-time hybrid market exploration programme for researchers, technicians and research students, with up to £2,500 support for market discovery activities.
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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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NAPIC ICURe Discover – September 2026
Opens: 01/06/2026
Closes: 03/09/2026
NAPIC (National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre) ICURe Discover is a part-time hybrid market exploration programme for researchers, technicians and research students, with up to £2,500 support for market discovery activities.
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New standard for construction SMEs: PAS 1958
Open indefinitely
A new standard to aid navigation of existing data and information standards relevant to the built environment and construction sectors.
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European Space Agency: Connectivity and Secure Communications (ARTES)
Calls open year-round
ARTES is ESA’s main programme for technology development in satellite communications – it transforms investment in space into successful products and services.
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UK Space Agency: Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP) - open calls
Apply anytime
Organisations working in Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) can receive funding from the European Space Agency, with support from the UK Space Agency.
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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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European Space Agency Open Call For Proposals: Proof-of-concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Rolling deadline: submit initial application (Activity Pitch Questionnaire) at any time.
An always-open invitation for businesses to apply for a funding activity relating to a space-enabled application or service for any industry, market or topic. UK applicants can receive up to 50% of costs.
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European Space Agency: Digitalisation of The Water Sector
Opens: 12/05/2026
Closes: 30/08/2026
ESA seeks space-enabled products and services to improve water resilience and sustainability; proofs of concept and pilot projects are welcomed.
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ICURe Discover Sprint September 2026
Opens: 08/06/2026
Closes: 20/08/2026
Innovate UK ICURe Discover Sprint is an intensive market exploration programme designed to support researchers and technicians in exploring the commercial potential of their ideas.
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Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 7
Closing Soon
Opens: 11/03/2026
Closes: 15/07/2026
Funding for feasibility studies, pre-deployment testing, and real-world trials of clean maritime technologies for UK vessels, infrastructure, and/or skills.
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European Institute of Innovation and Technology: open calls in Urban Mobility
Regular submission dates c. twice per year
Up to €2m grants or €2.5m investment for urban mobility solutions.
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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.
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: Horizontal Activities - Clean Industrial Deal and AI In Science
Various closing dates from Apr 2026 to Sep 2027
Cross-cutting activities which support AI in science and the Clean Industrial Deal as part of Horizon Europe.
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area
Various closing dates, Mar 2026 to Nov 2027
A total budget of €798.5m to upgrade research and innovation systems in less advanced countries within the European area.
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: European Innovation Ecosystems
Various closing dates from Mar 2026 to Sep 2027
Up to €20m per project to connect people and organisations working towards the goal of innovation and supporting the scaling of companies.
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: European Research Infrastructures
Opens: 10/03/2026
Closes: 15/06/2027
Supporting activities for a world leading ecosystem of research services for researchers and innovators in Europe
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: EU Missions - A Soil Deal For Europe
Various closing dates from Mar 2026 to Sep 2027
The Soil Mission leads the transition towards healthy soils by funding an ambitious research and innovation programme with a strong social science component.
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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.