Innovate UK
The UK's national innovation agency, part of UKRI, offering competitive grants and business support to UK companies developing novel products, processes, and technologies in priority sectors.
Overview
Innovate UK is the UK's national innovation agency, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), with a mission to back the most promising deep tech businesses in the UK's priority sectors. It provides grant funding, business accelerators, and international connections to help innovative companies start, scale, and stay in the UK. Innovate UK funds range from feasibility studies and prototype development to large-scale demonstration projects, covering sectors including advanced manufacturing, agri-food, clean energy, creative industries, digital, health, and space. Each year Innovate UK invests hundreds of millions of pounds in UK innovation through competitive, merit-based grant calls.
What You Can Find Here
- Innovate UK Smart Grants - open competitive grants for game-changing, commercially focused innovation projects (no sector restriction)
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) - three-way partnership between a business, a UK knowledge base, and a recent graduate to drive innovation
- Innovate UK EDGE - expert business advisers helping innovative UK SMEs scale internationally
- ICURe (Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research) - program helping researchers explore commercial potential of their IP
- Women in Innovation Awards - up to £50,000 grants plus business accelerator support for women entrepreneurs
- Sector-specific funding challenges - targeted calls for aviation, materials, cybersecurity, energy, health, and other priority sectors
- International collaboration programs - co-funding with Horizon Europe, Eureka Network, and bilateral innovation programs
- Contracts for Innovation - challenges where public sector bodies commission innovative solutions from UK businesses
Who Should Use This
- UK-registered businesses developing genuinely novel products or processes with clear commercial potential
- Deep tech founders in sectors such as AI, quantum, advanced materials, biotech, and clean energy seeking R&D grants
- SMEs with fewer than 500 employees applying for Smart Grants to fund feasibility studies or industrial R&D
- Larger UK companies pursuing collaborative R&D with SME partners or universities
- University spin-outs and research groups exploring commercial applications through ICURe
- Women entrepreneurs eligible for the Women in Innovation Awards program
- UK businesses wanting to grow internationally through Innovate UK EDGE's export and scale-up support
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Go to ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk and use the Funding Finder (ukri.org/opportunity) to search open Innovate UK calls
- Step 2: Filter opportunities by status (Open or Upcoming), funding type (Grant), and council (Innovate UK)
- Step 3: Read the full competition brief carefully - each call specifies scope, eligible costs, team structure requirements, and assessment criteria
- Step 4: Register or log in to the Innovate UK funding portal (IFS) to begin your application
- Step 5: Build your project team - collaborative grants often require at least two UK organisations including one SME
- Step 6: Complete the application including the innovation narrative, project plan, budget, and commercialisation strategy, then submit before the deadline
Things to Check Before Applying
- Only UK-registered organisations are eligible - overseas entities can participate as collaborators but cannot lead the application
- Funding rates depend on organisation type: SMEs typically receive 70% of eligible costs, large organisations 50%, and research organisations 80%
- Applications are assessed by independent expert reviewers - prepare a clear, evidence-based innovation narrative
- State aid rules apply - total Innovate UK grant support counts toward the de minimis threshold unless the project qualifies for R&D block exemptions
- Deadlines are strictly enforced - late submissions are not accepted; build sufficient time to register on the portal
- Project durations vary: feasibility studies are typically 6-12 months; industrial R&D projects run 18-36 months
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I get from an Innovate UK Smart Grant?
Smart Grant competitions typically fund projects from £25,000 (feasibility studies) to £2 million (industrial R&D). Exact amounts vary by competition round - check the specific competition brief.
Does my business need to be established to apply?
No. Early-stage companies and pre-revenue startups can apply provided they have a UK company registration number and a credible plan to commercialise the innovation.
Can academic or research organisations apply?
Universities and research organisations can participate as collaboration partners, receiving up to 80% of their eligible costs. They cannot usually lead Innovate UK business-facing grants.
What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)?
A KTP is a three-way partnership between a business, a UK knowledge base (university or research institute), and a recent graduate. Innovate UK funds 50-67% of the KTP costs, helping businesses embed new knowledge and capabilities.
How competitive are Innovate UK grants?
Highly competitive. Success rates typically range from 10% to 25% depending on the competition. Strong applications demonstrate genuine novelty, commercial viability, and a credible team.
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