Innovate UK have launched a number of funding competitions to help tackle industry challenges ranging from zero emission manufacturing facilities to future leader fellowships.
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 [email protected].
Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 10, business and non-academic
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £110 million for ambitious research and innovation projects in any sector, and tailored support to develop careers for future leaders. This funding is from UKRI.
Competition closes: Wednesday 5 November 2025 11:00am
Competition opens: Monday 23 June 2025
DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £150 million to create scale up manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle technologies.
- Competition opens: Wednesday 17 September 2025
- Competition closes: There is no submission deadline
Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund (CKAF) Winter
UK registered government research organisations can apply for grants from £50,000 up to £250,000 to move viable public sector knowledge assets towards commercial readiness. This funding is provided by the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT).
- Competition opens: Wednesday 17 September 2025
- Competition closes: Thursday 4 December 2025 11:00am
UK-Netherlands Co-Innovation and Testbeds Pilot for Quantum Tech
Registered businesses in UK and Netherlands, can apply to collaborate on joint projects with application relevant partners and testbed facilities, to advance the development of quantum technologies and enable their commercial use cases.
- Competition opens: Monday 15 September 2025
- Competition closes: Tuesday 28 October 2025 11:00am
Farming Innovation Programme: Small R&D Partnership Projects Rd 4
UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £7.8 million for small R&D partnership projects. This funding is from the industry led R&D Partnerships Fund, a part of the Defra Farming Innovation Programme.
- Competition opens: Monday 15 September 2025
- Competition closes: Wednesday 5 November 2025 11:00am
