EU Horizon Large-scale production of liquid advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-01

We are interested in funding high quality applied health and social care research to increase and improve the evidence base about early action and prevention with health and social care services. Innovation that could facilitate a marked change in how we deal with complex health issues.

We are looking to fund research which has the potential to inform prevention services at a national level, and therefore local or regional evaluations are unlikely to be fundable. Similarly, evaluations focused on emerging technologies will require evidence of readiness for research on large-scale service delivery, including the published evidence base. All research should consider health and/or social care inequalities, or research focusing on how reducing inequalities can be integrated into prevention services. Alongside this, increasing access to neighbourhood health and social care services, moving care from hospitals into the community, and/or avoiding hospital admissions in the context of prevention are of particular interest to HSDR.

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The Full ADOPT Grant: Round 2 aims to support farming, growing, or forestry businesses in England to conduct on-farm trials and demonstration projects. The goal is to test innovative ideas or solutions that address significant on-farm or immediate post-farmgate challenges or opportunities, thereby improving productivity, resilience, sustainability, and progression towards net-zero farming.

This competition offers up to £7.8 million to support collaborative R&D projects (£1m–£3m eligible costs) that improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience in English agriculture, accelerate the transition to net zero, and deliver clear commercial benefits to farmers, growers, or foresters. Projects must be collaborative, include at least one SME, involve end users and the UK research community, last up to 30 months, and demonstrate strong knowledge exchange plans to drive sector-wide adoption.

This competition by the Department for Transport aims to develop affordable, user-friendly hardware and software solutions for coaches to comply with the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023. The solutions must provide accessible audio and visual route, destination, and location information, supporting disabled passengers. Proposals should prioritize scalability, compatibility, and affordability while incorporating innovative technologies.

This competition seeks proposals focused on improving the modelling and early treatment of conflict-related wounds, particularly in austere or battlefield environments. It invites innovations that either develop realistic biological, computational, or hybrid models of complex conflict wounds, or deliver new or adapted treatments that can be applied early by non-specialist personnel. Projects must demonstrate progression across defined Technology Readiness Levels within a maximum duration of 28 months and address relevant ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations. Collaboration is encouraged but not mandatory, and the scope excludes civilian-type injuries, chronic wounds, and purely academic or non-innovative studies.

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Innovate UK Growth Catalyst is a program that supports high-potential UK startups and scaleups by combining grant funding of up to £900k per company with aligned private investment and structured growth support. It targets late-stage innovation across key sectors—including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defence and security, digital technologies, life sciences and foundation industries—and requires applicants to have confirmed backing from an approved Innovate UK Investor Partner. Projects may involve feasibility studies, industrial research or experimental development, each with specific funding and match-investment requirements, with awards made competitively to those best aligned with Innovate UK’s strategic objectives.

The AMALTEA Project, funded under the EU's Horizon Europe programme, aims to revolutionize the construction sector by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and digitalization into the design, manufacturing, installation, and disassembly of modular facades. The project seeks to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and safety in construction processes, aligning with the European Green Deal objectives.

NIHR is seeking research proposals to develop and evaluate interventions aimed at preventing and/or managing lymphoedema following breast cancer resection. Proposals should focus on innovative approaches to address this condition, which affects many breast cancer survivors. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and quality of life through effective prevention and management strategies.

This topic supports activities that scale up the use of EU space data by addressing fragmented sectoral demand and enabling the commercialisation of innovative space-based solutions in strategic priority areas. Proposals should leverage EGNSS and Copernicus capabilities to improve the efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of energy systems, urban environments, climate adaptation efforts, or green financing and insurance. Each project must focus on one clearly defined priority area, deliver a viable business plan, and demonstrate alignment with relevant regulations and policies. Activities are expected to achieve TRL 7–9 by project end, with an emphasis on commercial readiness, collaboration, and use of existing European technologies.

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The Women TechEU programme aims to empower women entrepreneurs leading early-stage deep tech start-ups across Europe. Its primary goal is to foster a more gender-balanced innovation ecosystem by supporting these women-led ventures in becoming tomorrow's tech leaders. The initiative focuses on contributing to the green, digital, and social transitions in line with European objectives.

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The Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Feasibility Studies Competition funds short projects that explore early commercial uses for driverless transport in the UK. It supports organisations developing business cases for services such as freight, public transport, personal mobility, and specialist vehicles. Projects should last 6–9 months, start on 1 April 2026, and request £100,000–£250,000. Eligible leads include UK-registered businesses, local or transport authorities (working with at least one business if public sector-led). Limited trials are allowed to support feasibility studies. The competition opens 6 October 2025 and closes 26 November 2025, with results announced 16 January 2026 and around a 50% success rate.

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The aim of the Scale up Fund is to support manufacturing facility and process development at pilot scale or demonstration scale. These projects will enable businesses to validate manufacturing capability and commercial viability, achieving market entry at the targeted production volume from the project outcomes.

Breakthrough 6 invites innovative ideas from appointed water companies in England and Wales to tackle major water sector challenges and deliver benefits for customers, communities, and the environment. Entries should request £150,000–£2 million in funding, with partners contributing at least 10% financially. Collaboration is strongly encouraged, particularly with SMEs and other sector organisations. Projects can run for less than a year or extend beyond 2031, with successful applicants notified by April 2026 following eligibility checks and panel review.

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i4i THRIVE (Translate Healthcare Research through InnoVation and Entrepreneurship) programme invites innovations at prototype development level (Technology Readiness Level (TRL 3)) and above which demonstrate potential to reduce health inequalities and meet needs in underserved communities.

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This is a multi-sector generous loan opportunity of between £100k and £2m for UK registered, highly innovative SMEs with projects lasting up to 5 years.

Provide financial support to highly innovative, late-stage R&D projects that demonstrate the potential for significant economic impact and a clear path to commercialisation.

The Contracts for Innovation: Net Zero Living Tech Trials, Phase 3 competition, funded by Innovate UK, aims to support the development of pre-commercial innovations that assist UK Local Authorities in achieving their net zero goals. The competition focuses on conducting extended field trials to evaluate and enhance emerging technological solutions, facilitating their progression toward commercial readiness.

This competition aims to strengthen collaborative research and development between the Netherlands and the UK to commercialise quantum technologies. It funds feasibility and industrial research projects focused on developing, prototyping, and testing commercial quantum solutions in areas such as entanglement-based quantum networking, quantum computing algorithms and software, and quantum sensing for applications like biosensing, public infrastructure, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT).

The grant aims to help early-stage start-ups develop innovative ideas with clear routes to commercialisation and business growth.

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–Support development in five critical technologies: Projects must focus on at least one of the following: artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, advanced connectivity technologies, quantum technologies, or engineering biology.

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–Enable new products, processes, or services: The goal is to foster innovations that are significantly ahead of current offerings or propose new uses or business models.

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–Provide targeted business support: In addition to funding, tailored business support is offered to help businesses grow and scale.

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The Zenzic CAM Deployment Trials Competition funds large-scale trials that bring Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) services closer to commercial use in the UK. Projects must demonstrate mature CAM technologies in live or realistic settings, develop operational models, and build business cases for future deployment. They should run for 18–24 months, request £2–4 million, and be delivered in the UK. Eligible leads include UK-registered businesses, local or transport authorities, and must be the service operator or entity directly benefiting from the CAM service. Collaborators may include businesses, academic institutions, charities, or RTOs. Projects using public roads must follow the Department for Transport’s Automated Vehicle Trialling Code of Practice and identify key roles such as the Authorised Self Driving Entity (ASDE) and No-User-in-Charge Operator (NUiCO).

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Solutions that strengthen public transport as the backbone of a resilient, sustainable, inclusive and multimodal mobility ecosystem, by improving its attractiveness and competitiveness – with the clear goal of attracting users away from private cars.New concepts, technologies and business models that enhance demandresponsive transport and integrate shared mobility services with public transit – aimed at improving first- and last-mile connectivity and expanding overall network coverage are encouraged.

The Advanced Battery Innovation Competition funds UK projects that speed up the development and commercialisation of battery technologies, strengthen the supply chain, and boost global competitiveness. Projects must show market demand and address technical, financial, and environmental challenges in areas such as materials, cell design, manufacturing, quality control, or digital tools. They should deliver benefits like reduced cost, improved performance, or lower environmental impact. Priority areas include scalable UK manufacturing, battery recycling and recovery, and local, sustainable supply chains. Projects can support concept development or validation for sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy storage, rail, and defence. Grants range from £500,000 to £4 million for 1–3 years, led by a UK-registered business with at least one SME partner, and collaboration open to academic, public, or non-profit organisations.

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This funding opportunity supports collaborative arts and humanities research projects, enabling researchers to establish or enhance interdisciplinary and international partnerships, foster early-career researcher development, and maximise the impact of research outcomes through effective communication and knowledge transfer. Proposals should prioritize arts and humanities perspectives while integrating diverse disciplines and sectors. Projects, funded for up to five years, must align with AHRC or NSF-SBE research themes and demonstrate a proportionate commitment from project leads.

The Zenzic CAM Competition supports UK businesses developing products or services that advance Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology toward commercial use. Projects must mature CAM solutions to a stage where they can be demonstrated, validated, and ready for real-world deployment, helping UK companies strengthen their position in the global CAM supply chain. Eligible projects should focus on technologies enabling No-User-in-Charge (NUiC) platforms and achieve at least TRL 5–6 or MRL 4–5 by completion. Themes include on-vehicle innovations (such as sensors, control systems, and automated driving software) and off-vehicle innovations (such as connectivity, cybersecurity, data management, AI tools, and testing services). Projects can involve hardware and software development, testing, manufacturing pilots, and safety or regulatory assurance but cannot focus on trials, feasibility studies, or non-automotive applications. Only UK-registered, commercially focused businesses can lead projects, while partners may include academic, public, or non-profit organisations. All partners must pay a 3.5% industrial contribution on grants received to Zenzic, and outcomes must be showcased at a Cenex Expo event.

This topic seeks projects that develop and validate integrated space technologies to support crisis and security practitioners, enhancing EU security, resilience, and cybersecurity. Proposals should leverage Galileo, EGNOS, and, where relevant, Copernicus or GOVSATCOM to deliver close-to-market solutions in security operations, critical infrastructure resilience, or crisis management. Projects must include a business plan, involve SMEs and midcaps, and demonstrate large-scale operational impact, with participation from at least two crisis or security organisations across different EU or associated countries. Activities are expected to reach TRL 7–9 by project end, focusing on commercial readiness and practical uptake of space-based technologies.

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​The EIC Work Programme 2025 outlines over €1.4 billion in funding to support breakthrough technologies and innovations in Europe. It introduces the STEP Scale Up scheme, allocating €300 million for larger investments in companies advancing strategic technologies. The programme also emphasizes increased access to Business Acceleration Services, particularly for emerging companies from 'widening countries'. ​

The Circular Electricals Fund provides up to £1 million in funding to support projects that contribute to a more circular economy for electrical products. The aim is to fund initiatives that encourage reuse, refurbishment, recycling, or resource efficiency in the electricals sector, helping to reduce environmental impact and drive sustainability through innovation.

This competition funds feasibility studies developing new solutions to on-farm or post-farmgate challenges that improve productivity, resilience, and sustainability in UK agriculture. Projects should support low-emission farming and deliver commercial benefits for farmers, growers, and foresters, focusing on areas such as farmed animals, plants, novel food systems, and the bioeconomy or agroforestry. Funding excludes equine, fisheries, aquaculture, and medicinal crop projects. Eligible applicants are established UK businesses collaborating with at least one other organisation, such as another business, research body, or charity.

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Eurostars is a pan-European programme funding international R&D and innovation projects led by SMEs, supporting the development of products, processes, or services with strong commercial potential. Eligible projects must be collaborative, involve entities from at least two Eurostars countries, and focus on civil applications, with SMEs covering at least half of the total project costs. Funding is provided by national agencies, with rates and conditions varying by country and entity type, and match funding may be required. Proposals are evaluated on technical excellence, implementation quality, and commercial or societal impact, and the programme is open to all R&D areas without pre-defined topics.

This topic aims to improve understanding and management of the cumulative environmental impacts of large-scale offshore wind deployment, including effects on biodiversity and marine ecosystems, throughout the full project life cycle. Projects should develop and validate monitoring tools, models, and assessment methods to support Maritime Spatial Planning, environmental impact assessments, and mitigation strategies, ensuring data are FAIR and widely accessible. Expected outcomes include better-informed planning and decision-making, improved environmental monitoring, and deployment of offshore wind with minimal or net-positive impacts on marine and coastal environments. Proposals should also ensure complementarities with existing Horizon Europe projects and relevant European research infrastructures.

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This pilot aims to accelerate high-risk deep tech innovation by supporting breakthrough solutions in areas where commercial uptake is limited, while testing whether stage-gated funding and early involvement of end-users improve market adoption. It focuses on two major challenges: Physical AI for next-generation robotics, and New Approach Methodologies that can replace or reduce animal testing in biomedical research and product safety. Eligible applicants include start-ups, SMEs, and research organisations, with funding delivered across two stages to develop, validate, and test solutions in real-world settings. Successful projects can receive up to €300,000 in Stage 1 and up to €2.5 million in Stage 2, alongside access to partners, experts, and a wider innovation ecosystem.

The NIHR Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) programme invites stage 1 applications for research addressing health service practices with potential to improve patient and NHS user wellbeing. As a researcher-led initiative, it welcomes diverse proposals tackling health service challenges. The programme funds high-quality quantitative and qualitative research with clear patient benefit, emphasizing public and patient involvement and co-development with service users.

The aim of this grant is to support organisations in validating resource efficiency solutions within the construction sector. It focuses on building upon existing research to deliver an impact validation report for demonstrated solutions, informed by a recent or concurrent demonstration in the construction value chain. Projects should contribute to decarbonising the UK construction industry and improving circularity, directly supporting the UK’s Net Zero and circular economy goals.

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Solutions that promote active mobility as a foundation for healthier urban lifestyles, by improving safety, convenience, inclusivity and integration within the urban environment, facilitating a modal shift towards active modes. Proposals should go beyond typical behavioural change campaigns, to include innovative and market-oriented solutions that strengthen the European cycling industry and align with the goals of the European Declaration on Cycling. Digital or public space design innovations must demonstrate a disruptive approach and clear potential for adoption by public authorities.This topic also includes innovations that monitor, reduce, or mitigate the health impacts of air and noise pollution in urban mobility systems – including solutions for cleaner transport, reduced exposure, and health informed planning.

This topic supports the demonstration of innovative thermal energy storage solutions for concentrated solar power and solar thermal applications, aiming to improve performance, cost-effectiveness, and lifespan compared with current technologies. Projects should deliver a clear go/no-go milestone before demonstration, including detailed engineering plans, techno-economic assessments, and all necessary permits. Expected outcomes include reduced levelised costs of heat or energy, improved bankability for technology providers, and enhanced grid reliability for variable-output renewables. Proposals must address environmental and socio-economic sustainability, align with Safe and Sustainable by Design principles, and include robust exploitation and dissemination plans with commercialisation and scalability strategies.

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This topic aims to develop and pilot generative AI-powered tools to enhance the digitalisation, decarbonisation, and optimisation of the EU energy system across electricity, mobility, and buildings. Projects should demonstrate AI-driven energy services, system planning, and smart grid functionalities, integrating distributed assets, flexibility markets, and data exchange while ensuring interoperability across sectors and regions. Solutions must be tested across at least three EU Member States or Associated Countries, involving traditional and new energy stakeholders, including DSOs, aggregators, energy communities, and digital infrastructure providers. The work should build on existing open-source digital solutions, leverage AI Factories, adhere to relevant standards, and actively contribute to the BRIDGE initiative.

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Eurogia2030 is a EUREKA Cluster programme supporting international collaborative R&D and innovation projects in low-carbon energy and related technologies that contribute to climate neutrality and sustainable growth. Projects must involve at least two companies from different participating countries, with SMEs, large companies, and research organisations all eligible subject to national funding rules. Funding is provided through non-repayable national grants, with rates and conditions varying by country and partner type, and each participant must secure support from their own national agency. The programme uses a two-stage application process and prioritises applied research and near-market projects with clear international collaboration and market or societal impact.

The NIHR Decarbonising the Health and Social Care System fund supports UK research that reduces carbon emissions and promotes sustainability in health and social care. With £25 million available over five years, it backs projects developing or evaluating innovations, service models, or care pathways that advance net zero goals and can inform policy and practice. Open to UK-based researchers and organisations, the programme encourages collaboration with SMEs, charities, and local authorities to deliver practical, scalable solutions.

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The Therapeutic Catalyst award supports projects that accelerate the development of novel cancer therapies by generating key proof-of-concept or mechanism data to de-risk early-stage approaches. Applications must be led by a researcher at a UK research organisation, while SMEs and industry partners can participate as collaborators, providing expertise, technology, or development capabilities. Funding covers eligible project costs in full for medium-term projects, typically two to three years, and is intended to position the therapy concept for further translational funding or commercial investment. Collaborative proposals are encouraged, with the aim of producing decisive data that strengthens the pathway towards effective cancer treatments.

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Apply for AHRC standard research grant funding to support collaborative arts and humanities projects. Projects must involve a UK-based project lead and at least one co-lead to develop and manage the research. These grants aim to foster collaborations within and beyond academia, enhance career development for researchers, and promote effective dissemination of research outcomes. Proposals can involve interdisciplinary or international partnerships and may include individual research components that demonstrably add value to the overall project.

This competition is seeking innovations in autonomous sensor management and data fusion that can detect and counter attempts to deceive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations. Proposals should show strong commercialisation potential, clear evidence of technical capability, and active collaboration across all partners involved. Phase 2 integrates the previous phase’s separate challenges into a single focus on autonomous techniques that counter deception, with solutions expected to demonstrate performance in a relevant environment at TRL 6. Projects must run for at least 18 months, with up to two collaborative projects expected to be funded, and Phase 1 participation is not required.

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The MRC-NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme invites applications to assess novel non-pharmacological approaches for diagnosing, treating, or managing ADHD in children and adults. Proposals should target core symptoms or related conditions and provide strong clinical rationale and proof of concept. Evaluations must focus on interventions or technologies with convincing human evidence of efficacy, including diagnostic tools with promising sensitivity, specificity, or predictive value.

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This grant aims to support organisations in validating and measuring the impact of resource efficiency solutions within the automotive sector. The focus is on building upon existing research and demonstrated innovations, enabling applicants to deliver an impact validation report that analyzes the lifecycle and commercial potential of resource-efficient solutions. This supports government goals on Net Zero and the circular economy, specifically for on-road electric vehicles and their supply chains.

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You can apply for funding from ESA for the Open Call for Proposals or through specific themed opportunities. Your project must delivered R&D related to the space industry

The Life and Health Sciences Launchpad (Northern Ireland) competition funds innovative projects led by UK-registered SMEs in life and health sciences. Projects must support business growth and strengthen innovation activity within Northern Ireland’s cluster, working with local partners such as HIRANI. Eligible themes include diagnostics and therapeutics, data, digital and medical devices, and healthcare service delivery, with enabling areas like AI, quantum, and advanced therapies also welcomed. Projects must last 6–12 months, request £25,000–£100,000, start after 1 April 2026, and finish by 31 March 2027.

This funding opportunity provides loans of £100,000 to £5 million for late-stage R&D projects by UK-registered SMEs. It targets highly innovative projects with clear commercialisation routes and significant economic impact, especially in future economy areas highlighted by Innovate UK. Applicants must show a need for public funding, the ability to repay loans, and a credible repayment plan. Eligible projects should deliver new or significantly improved products, processes, or services and fall within key areas such as Net Zero (energy, industrial processes, agriculture, food, capital intensity), Health and Wellbeing (ill health, wellbeing, diet, food), and Next Generation Digital and Technology Families (AI, advanced computing, bioinformatics, genomics, robotics, smart machines, advanced materials, quantum, energy and environment technologies). Funding is awarded competitively across multiple rounds, with project durations of up to five years covering both R&D and commercialisation phases.

The SMART: SCOTLAND grant aims to support high-risk, highly ambitious projects providing support to conduct feasibility studies. It’s only available to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based in Scotland

This topic aims to develop open-source tools and integrated platforms for managing energy community assets, optimising local energy use, and enabling seamless interaction between households, prosumers, aggregators, and DSOs. Projects should implement real-time monitoring, forecasting, and autonomous control of energy systems, while ensuring secure, standards-based communication and interoperability across devices and networks. Solutions must be tested in at least three diverse European energy communities and involve stakeholders such as smart appliance manufacturers, home energy system developers, DSOs, and aggregators. The work should actively contribute to the BRIDGE initiative, foster replication potential, and integrate social sciences and humanities expertise to maximise societal impact.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the "Space for Intermodal Transport" funding opportunity to support European teams in developing sustainable, space-based services and applications that enhance intermodal transport for both freight and passengers. This initiative aims to improve the efficiency, flexibility, and environmental sustainability of transportation systems by integrating multiple modes of transport through innovative solutions utilizing satellite data and space-based technologies. ​

The UK Battery Innovation Competition funds projects that advance battery technology and strengthen the UK supply chain. It supports innovations in materials, manufacturing, testing, and recycling to reduce costs, boost performance and safety, and cut environmental impact. Priority areas include production process optimisation, battery reuse and recycling, and building a resilient, sustainable UK supply chain. Projects may trial new technologies, adapt existing methods, or commercialise scientific advances for sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy storage, and defence. Grants range from £70,000 to £500,000 for projects lasting 6–18 months, led by a UK-registered business with at least one SME partner. Collaborators can include other businesses, universities, RTOs, or charities. Projects focusing on system integration or non-rechargeable batteries are not eligible.

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The LSIMF will provide capital grants across the UK and sector-wide to support investments in the manufacturing of human medicines (including active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished products), medical diagnostics (for disease identification and monitoring), and MedTech products (medical devices for human health). The fund will remain open until all funding is allocated.

This topic aims to develop and validate planning methods and procedures that accelerate the uptake of innovative building solutions, enhancing whole life carbon performance, sustainability, circularity, climate resilience, and safety across the built environment. Projects should demonstrate these methods in at least three countries with diverse climates and building stock, including at least two renovation contexts, and assess their effectiveness compared to a “business as usual” scenario. Proposals must actively involve public and private stakeholders, including municipalities, citizens, civil society, and the construction sector, while integrating social sciences and humanities expertise to maximise societal impact. The work should contribute to the Built4People partnership and its network of innovation clusters, supporting monitoring of relevant KPIs.

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The Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 10 competition, administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aims to support ambitious research and innovation projects across various sectors. It seeks to foster excellence in innovation, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and develop the next generation of research and innovation leaders.

This topic aims to develop and demonstrate smart building solutions that reduce energy demand, integrate renewable energy sources, and enhance grid flexibility while ensuring user comfort and satisfaction. Projects should upgrade existing building management systems, be user-friendly, and address societal needs, including the perspectives of diverse social groups. Proposals must include at least three pilot demonstrations covering different climatic zones, building types, and technical systems, and provide methods to measure energy savings, flexibility, and interoperability improvements. Societal Readiness should be embedded throughout, with SSH expertise supporting the socio-technological interface and ensuring the solutions are socially acceptable and replicable.

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The Active Travel Innovation Fund by Active Travel England (ATE) offers grants to UK-registered small and medium-sized organisations to develop, deliver, or scale innovative projects that encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling across England. It focuses on behaviour change and engagement rather than infrastructure or product development, supporting ideas that make active travel safer and more accessible. The fund prioritises initiatives benefiting underrepresented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, children, disabled people, and those less physically active and aligns with wider government goals like reducing NHS pressure, creating safer streets, boosting the economy, and achieving net zero. Projects must be delivered within England over a 12-month period, followed by evaluation, with up to 10% of the grant allocated to monitoring, reporting, and impact assessment.

Arts Council National Lottery are offering funding to people in England who are creative, or work in the arts, museums or libraries. The fund supports thousands of individual practitioners, community and cultural organisations

The READ-OUT Digital Cognitive Dementia Assessments competition, funded by Innovate UK, supports the deployment and evaluation of high-maturity digital cognitive assessments (DCAs) for dementia within the READ-OUT blood-based biomarker study led by the University of Oxford, contributing to wider initiatives like the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative.With up to £1.2 million in total funding (inclusive of VAT), single projects can receive up to £600,000, starting on 1 August 2025 and lasting up to 20 months, to be completed by 31 March 2027. Proposals must demonstrate real-world readiness, show potential impact on dementia diagnosis and care, and be aimed at integrating DCAs into existing clinical pathways. The competition is open to organisations of any size, with collaboration optional, and projects must stay within the £600,000 cost limit and adhere to the defined timeline.

This grant supports UK businesses in validating and demonstrating early-stage AI technologies that deliver frontier performance and are aligned with national sovereignty goals. It focuses on developing proof of concept demonstrators that showcase novel system architectures or subsystem components with the potential to scale. Applicants are expected to deliver technical validation of their AI capabilities, whether through simulation, synthetic data, or early prototype testing while clearly articulating their path to scalable data access and compute infrastructure. The competition underpins the UK government’s ambition to secure leadership in AI development and infrastructure, safeguarding future economic competitiveness, national security, and strategic independence.

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The SMART: SCOTLAND grant, administered by Scottish Enterprise, aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in conducting feasibility studies for high-risk, highly ambitious research and development (R&D) projects. The grant focuses on projects that represent a significant technological advance for the UK industry or sector concerned and have a clear commercial endpoint.

Solutions (products, services and business models) that reduce the negative externalities of urban logistics – such as congestion, emissions and noise – while enhancing efficiency, resilience, sustainability and integration with the urban environment, especially in last-mile operations.Innovative concepts for logistics hubs and digitally enabled solutions that foster greater collaboration among logistics operators, cities and users are particularly encouraged.

The grant aims to support organisations in developing and validating resource efficiency solutions within the chemicals sector. The primary focus is to build on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Unlocking Resource Efficiency research, helping organisations deliver an impact validation report for demonstrated resource efficiency solutions. The competition targets high maturity demonstrations and the validation of innovations that can measurably reduce emissions and improve circularity in the chemicals value chain.

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This funding supports innovative research projects focused on the early detection and diagnosis of cancer, with the aim of enabling earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes. UK research organisations such as universities, NHS trusts, or research institutes must lead applications, while SMEs can participate as collaborators by providing relevant technology, expertise, or services. Projects are fully funded, with no requirement for match funding, and are assessed through a two-stage application process based on scientific quality, feasibility, and potential impact. Proposals must align with Cancer Research UK’s strategy and demonstrate a clear pathway to clinical or screening translation.

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The Content Fund is a joint plan between Government and industry to drive growth, build talent and develop skills across the creative sectors.

The Space4Rail initiative, led by the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to enhance the railway sector by integrating space-based assets—such as satellite navigation, satellite communications, and Earth observation—into innovative and sustainable applications and services. The goal is to improve the performance, efficiency, safety, and attractiveness of railways for both operators and end-users. ​

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​The EIC Accelerator is a European funding programme under Horizon Europe that supports start-ups and SMEs developing innovative, game-changing products, services, or business models with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. It offers grant funding of up to €2.5 million for innovation activities (TRL 6-8) and equity investments ranging from €0.5 to €10 million, with higher amounts available under the STEP ScaleUp scheme.

This award supports small, focused research projects that generate preliminary data, test feasibility, or develop early proof of concept for ideas related to the early detection or diagnosis of cancer. Applications must be led by a researcher at a UK research organisation, with SMEs or other non-academic partners able to contribute if their role strengthens the project. Funding covers pilot studies, early proof-of-concept work, and new research directions, but not large-scale clinical trials or projects outside the scope of early detection. The scheme aims to build foundational evidence that supports future, larger research awards, with a five-year rolling success rate of 42%.

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The Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) funding, administered by Scottish Enterprise, is a discretionary grant aimed at encouraging capital investment and job creation in designated Assisted Areas of Scotland, classified as Tiers 2 and 3. The primary objective of RSA is to support projects that contribute to economic growth, job creation, and Scotland's transition to a greener economy.

The DASA Open Call for Innovation aims to identify and fund innovative ideas that enhance the defence and security of the UK. It provides a broad mechanism for innovators to present disruptive concepts, technologies, or services to defence and security stakeholders, even in the absence of a specific requirement.

​Innovate UK is offering grants between £50,000 and £300,000 for early-stage projects aimed at improving clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific regions. The goal is to develop affordable, reliable, and low-carbon energy solutions that promote gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion.

The competition seeks innovative proposals that integrate autonomous sensor management with information fusion to detect and counter activities designed to deceive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Proposals should demonstrate both commercial potential and technical feasibility, ideally through collaborative efforts, and provide evidence of all parties’ active involvement. Phase 2 combines the previous phase’s separate challenges into a single integrated solution, requiring demonstration in a relevant environment at Technology Readiness Level 6. Projects are expected to last at least 18 months, with funding available for up to two collaborative initiatives, and while prior participation is not required, collaboration is strongly encouraged.

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million 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.

The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme funds collaborative R&D projects for medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, and digital health technologies that address unmet health or social care needs, have at least proof-of-concept (TRL 3), and show a clear route to NHS or social care adoption and commercialisation. The focus is on de-risking innovations through preclinical/clinical development and real-world evaluation, with eligibility open to UK-based HEIs, SMEs, NHS or social care providers, and not-for-profits.

The NIHR's Health Technology Assessment Programme seeks research proposals to evaluate the effectiveness and economic impact of technology-based interventions aimed at improving care and support for individuals with deafblindness in social care settings.

This competition funds feasibility studies that explore new solutions to major on-farm or post-farmgate challenges, aiming to improve productivity, resilience, and sustainability while moving towards low-emission farming. It supports early-stage projects that could significantly enhance the efficiency and environmental performance of UK agriculture, focusing on practical benefits for farmers, growers, and foresters. The goal is to accelerate research and development by encouraging collaboration with the wider UK research community. Projects should align with one or more key themes: farmed animals, plants, novel food production systems, or the bioeconomy and agroforestry.

NIHR i4i Challenge Awards support the real-world evaluation of medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices and high-impact patient-focused digital health technologies for us in the NHS or social care system. The i4i Challenge Awards provide funding for collaborative projects with a focus on implementation research on technologies which have demonstrated safety and efficacy, and have a clear pathway towards adoption and commercialisation.

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UK-registered organisations can apply for a share of £15.5 million to develop industrial digital technologies that improve resource or energy efficiency in SME manufacturers. Projects must be UK-based collaborations led by an SME technology developer, include at least two manufacturing SMEs, last 6–12 months, and deliver affordable, easy-to-use and scalable digital solutions aligned with specified resource or energy efficiency themes. Funding will not support projects that duplicate existing initiatives, lack meaningful innovation, fall outside manufacturing environments, or focus on activities such as warehousing, distribution, construction, off-site repair, or product design for manufacture.

This initiative offers UK-registered small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) loans ranging from £100,000 to £2 million. The loans are intended to support late-stage research and development (R&D) projects that are highly innovative and have strong commercial potential to significantly benefit the UK economy. Projects should focus on developing new or improved products, processes, or services that are ahead of current market offerings or propose innovative applications of existing solutions.

This call, opening on 23 April 2026, aims to accelerate research, innovation, and market uptake of sustainable and circular bio-based solutions across Europe in line with EU Green Deal and bioeconomy priorities. It seeks high-impact, collaborative projects addressing pre-defined topics across the bio-based value chain, from mid-TRL research to large-scale industrial implementation, with clear environmental and scalability benefits. Up to €170.7 million is available in 2026 to support research and innovation actions, innovation actions, and coordination and support actions under the Horizon Europe and CBE JU framework. Eligible applicants include a wide range of European organisations, with consortia required to meet Horizon Europe eligibility rules.

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This competition seeks proposals focused on improving the modelling and early treatment of conflict-related wounds, particularly in austere or battlefield environments. It invites innovations that develop realistic biological, computational, or hybrid models of complex wounds, or deliver new or adapted treatments that can be applied early by non-specialist medical personnel. Projects must demonstrate progression across defined Technology Readiness Levels within a maximum duration of 28 months and address relevant ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations. Collaboration is encouraged but not mandatory, and the scope excludes civilian-type injuries, chronic wounds, and non-innovative or purely academic studies.

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PACE funds innovative, high-risk, early-stage drug discovery and diagnostic projects aimed at developing new therapeutics for bacterial infections with high unmet need. It supports Hit-to-Lead and Lead Optimisation projects targeting Gram-negative bacteria, especially those causing respiratory, bloodstream, and urinary tract infections, including priority pathogens such as A. baumannii, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and P. mirabilis. Eligible applicants include academic researchers and SMEs worldwide, with projects lasting up to two years. Late-stage, clinical, or vaccine-focused projects, as well as those not directly developing antimicrobials, are out of scope.

​The European Space Agency (ESA) invites proposals for feasibility studies and demonstration projects that leverage space-based services and applications to enhance smart cities. This initiative addresses challenges arising from rapid urban population growth and climate change, focusing on areas such as urban development, emissions, air pollution, digital communication, transport, and urban overheating.

This award supports long-term, coordinated research programmes that aim to transform the early detection and diagnosis of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. It is open to scientists, clinicians, and healthcare workers based at UK universities, hospitals, or research institutions, with SMEs able to participate as collaborators but not lead the award. Funding of up to £2.5 million is available for programmes lasting up to five years, supporting staff, running costs, and equipment. Applicants must contact Cancer Research UK at least one month before applying to confirm eligibility, with proposals expected to demonstrate clear clinical or population impact and, where relevant, address inequalities in early detection and diagnosis.

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This competition sits within the TechLocal strand of the TechFirst programme and aims to boost regional tech skills and employment across the UK. It supports collaborative, locally focused projects that help people access entry-level roles, bridge the gap between training and employment in frontier technologies, and support SMEs in developing tech talent. Eligible projects must involve UK-registered organisations working in one or more regions and align with local skills needs and economic priorities. Proposals should demonstrate clear regional impact, innovation, and contribution to national TechLocal objectives across areas such as AI, cyber security, engineering biology, and quantum technologies.

This competition aims to test novel whole-system solutions that tackle grid, power, and operational barriers to delivering ultra-rapid EV charging at challenging sites along England’s Strategic Road Network. Projects must demonstrate technologies that enable at least 12 cars or vans to charge at 150 kW or more, while showing clear potential for replication and wider rollout across APTR cold spots and motorway service areas. Only proposals that directly address future grid constraints up to 2030 and support real-world deployment by March 2028 are eligible, with required collaboration between an SRN site operator and a charge point operator. Funding of £500,000 to £3 million is available for UK-led consortia able to safely operate the solution for at least three years after deployment.

This topic focuses on assessing and optimising the value chains of advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin to strengthen EU energy security and industrial competitiveness. Projects should analyse current and future scenarios, identify integration challenges across stakeholders, and propose research, innovation, and standardisation actions to improve reliability, sustainability, and carbon removal potential. Multidisciplinary aspects—including sustainable farming, CO₂ valorisation, fuel standardisation, and land-use trade-offs—should be considered to develop win-win, integrated solutions across the entire value chain. All proposals must include a life-cycle-based sustainability assessment covering techno-economic, environmental, and social dimensions.

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Innovate UK and its partners seek projects that:

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–Focus on innovation in agri-tech or food technology, including but not limited to productivity, quality, nutritional value, resilience, and resource efficiency; food processing, manufacturing, and new market development; sustainability, biodiversity, and rural resilience.

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–Demonstrate ongoing contribution to the cluster, such as local innovation activities, value creation, engagement with other innovation-active organisations, and increased innovation activity post-project.

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–Align with regional priorities and the UK government’s goals for local economic growth.

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–Are led by UK-registered businesses and involve collaboration with at least one UK-registered SME claiming grant funding.

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This funding opportunity supports high-quality applied health and social care research focused on early action, prevention, and reducing inequalities at a national level. It aims to generate evidence that improves prevention services, enhances access to community-based care, and reduces hospital admissions. Research should address preventative strategies, early diagnosis, and interventions for those at risk of long-term conditions, demonstrating clear national impact and relevance to the NHS and social care. Areas of interest include improving prevention pathways, integrating preventative approaches, using data to deliver proactive support, and evaluating innovative service models or technologies. There are no specific eligibility restrictions for applicants.

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The Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst award supports projects that accelerate the development of new therapies for childhood cancers by generating key proof-of-concept or mechanism data. Applications must be led by a UK-based researcher at a recognised research organisation, with SMEs and industry partners able to collaborate by providing expertise, technology, or development capabilities. Funded projects may include the development or optimisation of therapeutic candidates and preclinical studies to demonstrate potential, aiming to support future translational funding or investment. Proposals must focus on therapeutic innovation rather than basic science and have a clear pathway toward further development and clinical translation.

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UKRI seeks a single innovative, interdisciplinary project under its Creating Opportunities, Improving Outcomes theme to address economic inactivity in areas with high rates of ill-health, disability, and informal care. The project will investigate local systemic factors shaping inactivity, identify effective support strategies, bridge research-to-practice gaps through collaboration with policymakers and local partners, and improve access to administrative data for inactivity research.

This award supports mid-career researchers in developing independent cancer research programmes that build a foundation for future leadership and larger funding opportunities. Applications must be led by a UK-based researcher at a recognised research organisation, while SMEs and industry partners can collaborate by providing technology, expertise, or services that strengthen the project. Funding of up to £1.5 million over six years is available to support research staff, running costs, and essential equipment, with projects addressing fundamental questions in cancer biology. Proposals are assessed through a two-stage process and interview, focusing on scientific excellence, innovation, and alignment with Cancer Research UK’s strategy, with collaborative contributions clearly defined.

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This fund aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across Wales.

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched Phase 2 of the Innovation in Support of Operations competition, aiming to identify and fund innovative, cost-competitive solutions that can be rapidly manufactured and scaled within approximately twelve months. These solutions should address specific operational challenges faced by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Creative UK have partnered with Triodos Bank on the Creative Growth Finance fund to offer loans of £100,000 to £1m* to businesses that bring change, disruption and new IP to the creative industries, harness creativity with technologies and supporting businesses and are talent led.

The EIC Pathfinder Open aims to support ambitious, high-risk research projects that develop radically new technologies with the potential to create new markets or provide transformative solutions to major challenges. It focuses on early-stage scientific research and breakthrough innovation, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and visionary technological developments.

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Scottish Enterprise's Research and Development (R&D) Grants aim to support businesses in Scotland that are developing new products, processes, or services, or significantly enhancing existing ones. The program seeks to boost business competitiveness, stimulate further R&D activities, and benefit the Scottish economy. ​

Data-driven solutions that enhance the performance, efficiency and responsiveness of urban mobility systems through e.g. the use of advanced analytics, AI, quantum technology or real time data – in alignment with EU level interoperability and data governance efforts (e.g. common data spaces, European data standards, open digital infrastructures). Solutions that enable cities and public authorities to make data-informed decisions – particularly for the design and implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), inclusive/participatory planning and citizen engagement, resilience and disruption response, or regulatory monitoring and enforcement (e.g. Low Emission Zones) – are particularly encouraged.All solutions should adhere to principles of data privacy, interoperability, replicability and scalability, while demonstrating a clear pathway to sustainable deployment and uptake.

This topic seeks projects that enhance the reliability, safety, and efficiency of wind energy systems, contributing to reduced operational, financial, and climate-related risks while strengthening the European wind energy supply chain. Proposals should develop and validate solutions across areas such as predictive maintenance, condition and health monitoring, component reliability, operation optimisation, and digital tools, with a focus on critical subsystems. Projects are expected to produce FAIR data, incorporate digitalisation and advanced sensor technologies, and improve safety protocols, downtime, and operational costs. Solutions should be standardisable, scalable, and support the strategic autonomy, competitiveness, and technology leadership of the European wind energy sector.

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This award supports mid-career researchers in developing independent cancer research programmes that build a foundation for future leadership and larger funding opportunities. Applications must be led by a UK-based researcher at a recognised research organisation, with SMEs and industry partners able to contribute as collaborators providing expertise, technology, or services. Funding of up to £1.5 million is available for around six years, covering research staff, running costs, and essential equipment, with projects addressing fundamental questions in cancer biology. Proposals are assessed through a two-stage process and interviews, focusing on scientific excellence, innovation, and alignment with Cancer Research UK’s strategy, while collaborative contributions must be clearly described.

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​The EIC Accelerator Challenges 2025 offer €250 million to support startups and SMEs developing breakthrough technologies in five key areas: advanced materials, low-emission food production, generative AI, in-space services, and future mobility. Each challenge has a dedicated budget of €50 million. These initiatives aim to drive innovation and address significant EU objectives. ​

This competition sits within the TechLocal strand of the TechFirst programme and aims to boost regional tech skills and employment across the UK. It supports collaborative, locally driven initiatives that help people access entry-level tech roles, bridge the gap between training and employment in frontier technology sectors, and support SMEs in developing tech talent. Projects must demonstrate clear regional impact, align with local economic and workforce needs, and focus on frontier technologies such as AI, cyber security, and quantum. Only UK-registered organisations can apply, with applications required to involve multiple partners operating in the regions where the project will be delivered.

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