Innovate UK Grant Funding Competitions

Innovate UK have launched a number of funding competitions to help tackle industry challenges ranging from SME innovation in aerospace to sustainable smart factories.

A selection of the current funding competitions are outlined below, the full list can be found on the Innovate UK website.

If you are interested in applying for an Innovate UK grant and require assistance, please talk to our Business Ready team on 02476 323121 or email businessready@uwsp.co.uk


Knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP): 2021 to 2022, round 5

UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £8 million to fund innovation projects with businesses or not-for-profits.

  • Competition opens: Monday 6 December 2021
  • Competition closes: Wednesday 2 February 2022 11:00am

NATEP helping SMEs innovate in aerospace – Autumn 2021

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million to carry out industry-led civil aerospace collaborative R&D projects. This funding is from the ATI Programme.

  • Competition opens: Monday 15 November 2021
  • Competition closes: Wednesday 12 January 2022 11:00am

Made Smarter Innovation: Sustainable Smart Factory

UK registered businesses and organisations can apply for a share of up to £20m for digital innovation projects that will improve the resource efficiency and energy efficiency of manufacturing processes in factories.

  • Competition opens: Monday 1 November 2021
  • Competition closes: Wednesday 26 January 2022 11:00am

Innovate UK Smart Grants: October 2021

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.

  • Competition opens: Thursday 7 October 2021
  • Competition closes: Wednesday 12 January 2022 11:00am