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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BBSRC ICURe Explore January 2027
Opens: 01/09/2026
Closes: 20/11/2026
BBSRC ICURe Explore provides financial support of up to £35,000, including a maximum of £20,000 for the Entrepreneurial Lead’s salary, as well as funding for assumption testing and customer discovery activities.
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UK-Singapore CR&D 2026
Opens: 24/08/2026
Closes: 16/12/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £3 million for the purpose of developing innovative proposals with Singapore. You must collaborate with at least one Singapore business applying under the equivalent Enterprise Singapore programme.
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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.
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KAVA Call 14 – Upscaling: Raw Materials & Advanced Materials
Closing Soon
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.
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European Space Agency: Road and Traffic Safety
Opens: 15/07/2026
Closes: 27/11/2026
This opportunity offers funding for teams who would like to develop sustainable space-based services and applications that address challenges related to the Road and Traffic Safety sector.
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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
Deadlines from Jan 2027 to Sep 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, aiming to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem, with up to €70m available for the largest projects.
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NHS Cancer Programme - Innovation Open Call 4
Opens: 01/09/2026
Closes: 01/12/2026
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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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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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 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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Horizon Europe 2026-27: Horizontal Activities - Clean Industrial Deal and AI In Science
Various closing dates 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 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.
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Horizon Europe 2026-27: Cancer Mission
2026 calls close 15 Sep 2026; 2027 calls close 21 Sep 2027
Improving the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through prevention, cure and for those affected by cancer including their families, to live longer and better.