Targeted, collaborative innovation funding
Mission-led CR&D competitions: targeted funding for the UK's innovation missions
Award size
£100k-£2m depending on competition scope and consortium size
Duration
12-36 months
Timing
Fixed windows, published per competition round
Who it's for: Consortia of businesses and research organisations aligned to a live mission brief
Reading the competition brief
Every mission-led competition publishes a detailed scope. Winning applications map precisely onto that scope rather than stretching an existing project to fit. We start by pressure-testing your project against the published brief before committing to a bid.
Building the right consortium
Collaborative R&D requires the right mix of partners: a lead, delivery partners and often an academic partner. We help structure the consortium, agree the collaboration agreement principles and divide the costs and IP fairly.
Writing to the mission
Reviewers score against both technical merit and mission alignment. We keep the narrative tightly tied to the mission outcomes Innovate UK has committed to, not just the underlying science.
What reviewers focus on
- Does the project deliver against the specific mission outcomes?
- Is the consortium capable and well-structured?
- Is the project additional, doing something that would not happen without the grant?
- Is there a credible route to UK economic and societal impact?
Where applications lose marks
- A generic R&D project retrofitted to a mission brief
- Weak consortium agreements drafted after the deadline pressure begins
- Underselling additionality: why the grant is essential, not just helpful
- Missing mandatory letters of support from named partners
Frequently asked questions
What is a mission-led CR&D competition?
A collaborative R&D funding competition tied to one of the UK's innovation missions, such as clean energy or maritime decarbonisation, with a tightly defined scope set by Innovate UK.
Do I need partners to apply?
Most mission-led competitions require a collaboration of at least two organisations, and many favour or require an academic or research organisation partner.
How do I find current mission-led competitions?
Competitions are published on the Innovate UK funding finder as they open. We track live opportunities such as the Clean Energy Superpower Mission and Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure rounds for our clients.
Got a mission-led competition in mind?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your project against the current brief and consortium options.