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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Contracts for Innovation: Earlier identification of UK children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Opens: 23/06/2026
Closes: 05/08/2026
Organisations can apply for a share of £2.5m inclusive of VAT to develop innovations that enable earlier, fairer, more reliable identification of special educational needs (SEN) in contexts where existing market solutions underperform or do not operate.
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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.
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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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Horizon Europe Chips Joint Undertaking 2026
Various closing dates to 31 March 2027
Topics under the CHIPS-JU work programme, with up to €70m available for the largest projects
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3rd UK-Switzerland Bilateral Call for Joint Innovation Projects
Opens: 01/07/2026
Closes: 03/09/2026
Bilateral call to strengthen Swiss-UK innovation collaboration in Semiconductors, Life Sciences, or Engineering Biology.
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Decarbonising operational fleet and tools for gas network operations
Closing Soon
Opens: 16/06/2026
Closes: 28/07/2026
Cadent Gas Ltd is seeking innovative vehicle, on board power and compatible tool solutions to enable the transition from diesel-powered operational fleet vehicles to low or zero emission alternatives.
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NHS Cancer Programme - Innovation Open Call 4
Opening Sep 2026; closing date tbc
Applications are invited for innovations that focus on productivity and supporting the NHS to meet Cancer Waiting Times, as well as innovations that support the earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer.
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Consumer Led Flexibility for the Clean Energy Superpower Mission
Opens: 10/06/2026
Closes: 26/08/2026
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for pre-commercialisation projects to develop solutions that enable flexible loads to be better utilised in energy system operation.
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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.
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ACTASAP Pilot Phase 1
Opens: 04/06/2026
Closes: 28/07/2026
UK registered academic institutions can apply for up to £32,000 each to take part in ACTASAP, an accelerator to bring academic research to market.
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Full ADOPT Grant: Round 8
Opens: 04/06/2026
Closes: 12/08/2026
Farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can apply for a share of up to £5 million for on-farm trial and demonstration projects, to improve adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector.
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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).
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ARIA: Future Proofing Our Climate and Weather
Closing Soon
Opens: 01/06/2026
Closes: 31/07/2026
Funding of up to £500,000 for early-stage research that explores new pathways for climate adaptation and resilience.
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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.
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DeepTech Catalyst Bio 2026
Opens: 11/05/2026
Closes: 16/08/2026
A business incubator programme designed to support early-stage biotechnology start-ups in achieving their commercial potential, offering up to £50k funding per company.
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IBIC ICURe Discover: September 2026
Closing Soon
Opens: 08/05/2026
Closes: 03/08/2026
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.