IUK:Energy Catalyst Round 11: Mid Stage

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 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. ​

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.

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.

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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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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Women founders building deep tech startups can access equity-free funding and tailored business support to accelerate technology development, strengthen investment readiness, and prepare for future scale-up funding opportunities.

The programme is specifically designed to help women-led deep tech companies bridge the gap between technical validation and commercial growth while increasing female representation within Europe's innovation ecosystem.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A woman founder or co-founder in a senior leadership role (CEO, CTO, CSO, or equivalent) within a deep tech startup
✔️ Developing a proprietary technology in areas such as AI, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, energy, robotics, quantum, space, connectivity, or advanced sensing
✔️ Operating at TRL 4-6 and looking to accelerate commercialisation and market validation
✔️ An SME less than five years old that has raised under €1 million in equity funding
✔️ Seeking investor readiness support, mentoring, and access to European innovation and investment networks


Should you apply?

If you are leading an early-stage deep tech company with a strong technological innovation and clear commercial potential, this is an excellent opportunity to secure non-dilutive funding while building the foundations for future investment. Successful applicants typically combine a novel technology, ambitious growth plans, and a clear pathway towards commercialisation, scale-up, and future programmes such as the EIC Accelerator.

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This competition funds large, long term research programmes focused on understanding cancer at a deeper level. The aim is to support ambitious projects that explore how cancer works, helping generate new knowledge that could lead to future breakthroughs in treatment or prevention.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A UK based researcher leading a major cancer research programme
✔️ Working on core cancer biology or discovery research
✔️ Building a long term, multi study research plan
✔️ An SME supporting with technology, data, or specialist expertise

Should you apply?
If you are leading an ambitious research programme that aims to unlock new understanding of cancer and drive future breakthroughs, this is a strong opportunity.

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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 topic aims to advance the observability, monitoring, and management of electricity distribution grids by developing smart substation ecosystems that integrate power electronics, intelligent devices, and software solutions. Projects should demonstrate real-time monitoring, data consolidation, and AI-assisted decision-making across multiple pilots in different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Expected outcomes include optimised grid operation and maintenance, enhanced resilience to disturbances and natural hazards, and the creation of best practices for integrating smart substations into flexible, responsive distribution networks. Collaboration with multiple distribution system operators, technology suppliers, and at least one TSO is encouraged, with contributions feeding into the BRIDGE initiative.

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This opportunity supports organisations developing space enabled services or applications, helping them move from idea to real world use. It funds both early stage work to prove a concept and later stage projects that test solutions with real users, with the goal of reducing risk and preparing for commercial launch.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing a service that uses space data or technology
✔️ Looking to validate an idea or build a minimum viable product
✔️ Ready to test your solution with real customers or users
✔️ Working across sectors where space data can add value

Should you apply?
If you have a space enabled solution and want support to prove it works, test it in real world conditions, and move towards commercial deployment with customers and partners, this is a strong opportunity.

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This opportunity supports organisations developing space enabled solutions to improve water systems and resilience. The focus is on tackling challenges like water quality, leakage, flooding, and infrastructure issues by using satellite data and technologies to build smarter, more efficient water management systems.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Using satellite data, sensors, or connected systems in your solution
✔️ Working on water management, utilities, or environmental monitoring
✔️ Looking to develop or test a new service or product
✔️ Building solutions for infrastructure, climate resilience, or resource efficiency

Should you apply?
If you are developing a solution that can improve how water is managed and want support to prove it works, test it with real users, and move towards commercial deployment using space technology, this is a strong opportunity.

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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 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 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.

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 opportunity supports projects that are ready to scale clean energy solutions in developing countries. The focus is on real world deployment, testing, and expansion of technologies that can improve access to affordable, reliable, and low carbon energy. Projects should be close to market and able to deliver clear impact at scale, both commercially and socially.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing clean energy solutions ready for real world deployment
✔️ Working on technologies like solar, storage, hydrogen, or clean transport
✔️ Looking to scale your solution in international markets
✔️ Have partners in developing countries

Should you apply?
If you have a near market clean energy solution and want to prove it at scale, expand into global markets, and deliver real impact in developing regions while building a strong commercial case, this is a strong opportunity.

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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 opportunity supports bold, early stage ideas that could lead to major breakthroughs in science and technology. The focus is on high risk, high reward projects that explore new directions, challenge current thinking, and have the potential to open up entirely new fields or capabilities.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Exploring a novel or unconventional research idea
✔️ Working on early stage science or breakthrough technologies
✔️ Challenging existing approaches or assumptions
✔️ An individual, startup, SME, or research team with a bold concept

Should you apply?
If you have a high risk idea that would not typically get funded elsewhere and want support to explore it, prove its potential, and turn it into a future breakthrough or larger programme, this is a strong opportunity.

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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.

This grant focuses on accelerating the shift to electric-powered maritime systems by funding large-scale projects that build, deploy and operate battery-electric vessels and supporting infrastructure in real-world conditions over multiple years.

The aim is to move beyond testing and into full operational use, proving that electric maritime solutions can work reliably at scale across ports, inland waterways and wider maritime environments.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing 100% battery electric vessels or electrification upgrades for existing fleets
✔️ Building charging infrastructure, shore power systems or port energy solutions that support vessel electrification
✔️ A UK business capable of leading a large consortium and delivering complex infrastructure and deployment projects
✔️ Ready to demonstrate your solution in a live operational environment for an extended period

Should you apply?
If you have an advanced clean maritime solution focused on electrification, with a clear plan to build, deploy and operate it at scale alongside strong commercial partners and end users, this is a highly relevant opportunity.

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This competition funds small, early stage research projects focused on improving how cancer is detected and diagnosed. The aim is to support initial ideas by helping teams test feasibility, generate early data, or prove that a concept could work. It is designed to build the foundation for larger future research projects with real clinical impact.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A UK research organisation exploring early stage cancer detection ideas
✔️ Testing a new concept, tool, or approach for diagnosis
✔️ Running a pilot or feasibility study to generate early data
✔️ An SME supporting with technology, data, or specialist expertise

Should you apply?
If you have an early idea that needs initial validation before scaling into a larger project, this is a strong opportunity.

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Companies developing highly innovative, late-stage products, services or processes can access flexible loan funding to accelerate commercialisation while retaining equity.

The programme supports UK SMEs undertaking close-to-market experimental development projects with strong commercial potential, providing repayable finance for businesses that can demonstrate both innovation and the ability to repay the loan.

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This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprise developing a highly innovative product, process, service or business model
✔️ Working on a late-stage R&D project with a clear route to commercialisation and significant economic impact
✔️ Operating within one of the six Industrial Strategy sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, or Life Sciences
✔️ Able to demonstrate that public funding is needed, while having the financial capability to meet interest payments and repay the loan
✔️ Looking for flexible funding to support both experimental development and eligible pre-commercialisation activities without giving up equity

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Should you apply?

If your innovation is close to market, has a compelling commercial opportunity, and your business has a strong financial plan with the ability to repay the loan, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will combine strong technical innovation with a credible commercial strategy, clear market demand and the potential to deliver lasting economic and societal benefits for the UK.

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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.

​The European Space Agency's Open Call for Proposals invites businesses from any sector to apply for funding throughout the year to develop new commercial services that utilise one or more space assets, such as satellite communications, Earth observation, or satellite navigation.

Companies developing advanced materials for renewable energy generation or energy storage can access funding to accelerate commercialisation and strengthen Europe's energy supply chain.

The programme supports startups and SMEs creating next-generation materials that improve the performance, efficiency and sustainability of renewable energy and energy storage technologies, while reducing dependence on critical raw materials and imported materials.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A startup or SME developing advanced materials for renewable energy generation or energy storage systems
✔️ Creating innovations for solar, wind, energy harvesting or medium to long-duration energy storage technologies
✔️ Designing, synthesising, scaling or manufacturing advanced materials with improved functionality or performance
✔️ Developing solutions that reduce reliance on critical raw materials while improving sustainability and circularity through lifecycle thinking
✔️ Building technologies with a clear pathway to commercialisation and integration into Europe's renewable energy value chain

Should you apply?

If you have a breakthrough advanced materials technology that can improve renewable energy or energy storage performance while strengthening Europe's manufacturing capability and strategic autonomy, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will combine strong technical innovation with a credible route to scale, commercial adoption and measurable environmental impact.

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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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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.

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.

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.

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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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 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 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.

Companies developing advanced materials technologies can access funding to bridge the gap between innovation and industrial adoption, helping move promising materials from feasibility stage concepts towards real-world commercial use.

The programme focuses on accelerating industrial uptake in healthcare, sustainable materials, power electronics, connectivity, and metamaterials, with a strong emphasis on market demand and end-user engagement.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing advanced materials with a clear commercial application and identifiable end-user demand
✔️ Working in healthcare, sustainable structural materials, power electronics, advanced communications, or metamaterials and metasurfaces
✔️ Looking to validate a materials innovation and demonstrate its value in a specific industrial sector
✔️ Able to secure support from an end user operating within one of the UK's Industrial Strategy priority sectors
✔️ Seeking to overcome technical, commercial, or adoption barriers before larger-scale development and deployment

Should you apply?

If you have an advanced materials innovation with a clearly defined application, a credible route to industrial adoption, and support from a relevant end user, this is a strong opportunity. Successful projects will demonstrate commercial potential, value chain alignment, contribution to UK industrial competitiveness, and a realistic pathway towards adoption and future scale-up.

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This award supports projects that help turn new cancer treatment ideas into real therapies. The focus is on generating the key data needed to prove a treatment could work, reduce early risk, and move it closer to further funding, partnerships, or commercial development.
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This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A UK research organisation developing new cancer treatments
✔️ Working on drug discovery, biologics, or immunotherapy
✔️ Generating early proof that a treatment approach could work
✔️ An SME supporting with drug development, platforms, or specialist expertise
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Should you apply?
If you have a promising cancer treatment idea and need support to prove it works, reduce risk, and make it ready for further funding or commercial investment, this is a strong opportunity.

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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 opportunity supports very early stage AI ideas, helping teams move from rough concepts to tested solutions. There are two entry points depending on how developed your idea is, either exploring the idea at a very early stage or testing whether it can actually work in practice. The goal is to help shape strong AI innovations and prepare them for further development and larger funding.

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This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Exploring a new AI idea that is still being shaped
✔️ Testing whether an AI concept is technically possible
✔️ Building early proof that your solution can work
✔️ Looking to move from idea stage into structured development

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Should you apply?
If you have an early stage AI idea and want funding to explore it, test feasibility, and build a clear path towards a more developed and scalable solution ready for future funding stages, this is a strong opportunity.

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This competition is focused on improving how we understand and treat serious wounds caused in conflict or battlefield environments. It supports projects that either build better models to study how these injuries happen and develop, or create new treatments that can be used quickly after injury in tough, resource-limited settings. The aim is to improve outcomes by enabling earlier, more effective care, even when specialist support is not available.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing medical or biological research tools
✔️ Working on wound care, infection control, or trauma treatment
✔️ Building solutions for use in remote or high pressure environments
✔️ Creating simple treatments that non specialists can use

Should you apply?‍

If you are working on new ways to understand or treat serious injuries in real world, high pressure situations, especially where early intervention is critical, this is a strong opportunity.

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This opportunity supports projects that take existing research results and move them closer to real world use. The focus is on turning earlier EU funded research into practical applications by testing and validating the technology in relevant environments, helping bridge the gap between research and commercialisation.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Building on results from previous EU funded research projects
✔️ Looking to move a technology closer to real world application
✔️ A startup, SME, or research organisation with validated early results
✔️ Working on innovation that needs further development before market

Should you apply?
If you already have strong research results from an EU funded project and want to develop them further, prove real world use, and move towards commercialisation or investment, this is a strong opportunity.

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This competition focuses on helping agri-tech SMEs bring near-market innovations into real-world farming, especially those that can deliver measurable gains in productivity, sustainability, and resilience.

The emphasis is on developing and scaling technologies that improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience, while supporting the transition to net zero agriculture by 2050.

This is a strong fit if you are:
✔️ An SME developing late-stage agri-tech solutions close to market deployment
✔️ Able to demonstrate clear improvements in farm productivity, sustainability, or resilience
✔️ Working in key areas such as livestock, crops, novel food systems, or the bioeconomy
✔️ Supported by an investor willing to co-invest significantly in your growth

Should you apply?
If you have a near-market agri-tech innovation with strong commercial potential, clear return on investment, and the backing to scale adoption across the farming sector, this is a highly relevant opportunity to pursue.

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This opportunity supports early stage ideas focused on improving access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy in developing countries. The aim is to help teams explore feasibility, test concepts, and build early evidence that a solution could work and deliver real social and environmental impact.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Exploring a new clean energy idea or concept
✔️ Working on early stage solutions like solar, storage, or clean transport
✔️ Looking to test feasibility before full development
✔️ Interested in delivering impact in developing countries

Should you apply?
If you have an early stage clean energy idea and want to test whether it works, build initial evidence, and understand its real world potential before moving into larger development or scale projects, this is a strong opportunity.

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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 funding supports innovative solutions that encourage healthier, more sustainable urban mobility by making walking, cycling and other active transport safer, more convenient and more inclusive. Projects should help shift people away from private vehicle use while strengthening the European cycling ecosystem and improving public health through cleaner urban environments.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing technologies or services that encourage walking, cycling or other active transport
✔️ Creating innovative digital tools or public space solutions that improve active mobility
✔️ Improving the safety, accessibility or integration of active transport into urban mobility systems
✔️ Developing solutions that reduce, monitor or mitigate the health impacts of air or noise pollution
✔️ Working with cities or public authorities to support healthier, more sustainable transport systems

Projects should:

Deliver innovative, market-ready solutions rather than awareness or behaviour-change campaigns alone
Support a shift towards active modes of transport
Strengthen the European cycling industry and align with the European Declaration on Cycling
Demonstrate a disruptive approach with strong potential for adoption by public authorities where relevant
Improve urban health through cleaner transport, reduced pollution exposure or health-informed urban planning

The strongest proposals will demonstrate:

Clear commercial potential and scalability
Measurable health, environmental and mobility benefits
Strong potential for deployment across European cities
A practical route to adoption by municipalities, transport providers or other public sector stakeholders

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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. ​

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

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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This competition funds research projects focused on improving how cancer is detected earlier and diagnosed more effectively. It supports innovative ideas that could lead to better screening, earlier treatment, and improved patient outcomes. Projects should show clear potential to move into real healthcare settings and make a difference in how cancer is identified.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A UK research organisation working on cancer detection or diagnosis
✔️ Developing new diagnostic tools, technologies, or biomarkers
✔️ Part of a collaborative project with hospitals, researchers, or industry
✔️ An SME contributing technology, expertise, or services to a research project

Should you apply?
If you are working on a new way to detect or diagnose cancer earlier, and can show clear potential to improve patient outcomes or healthcare systems, this is a strong opportunity.

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This competition focuses on advancing dual-use aviation technologies, helping organisations move innovative systems closer to real-world deployment across both civil and defence applications.

The emphasis is on progressing technologies beyond mid-stage development, improving integration and operational readiness, and demonstrating clear pathways to commercialisation at scale.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing aviation systems such as UAS, eVTOL, eCTOL, or autonomous/swarming technologies
✔️ Working on solutions that can be applied across both civil and military use cases
✔️ At TRL 5+ with a clear plan to progress towards operational deployment
✔️ Collaborating with a UK-based customer or operator to validate real-world use

Should you apply?
If you have a dual-use aviation innovation with strong commercial and defence relevance, a clear route to market, and the ability to demonstrate real-world application and scale, this is a highly relevant opportunity to pursue.

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This opportunity supports UK organisations developing innovative technologies linked to the space sector, with a strong focus on sustainability and resilience. The aim is to help turn early stage ideas into commercially viable solutions, whether they use space data on Earth or improve how space systems operate.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing a solution that uses space data or technology
✔️ Working on sustainability, climate, or environmental challenges
✔️ Building products for the space sector or related industries
✔️ Looking to turn an early stage idea into a commercial opportunity

Should you apply?
If you have a space connected idea with strong commercial potential and want funding, expert support, and access to facilities to develop it into a real product or service with impact, this is a strong opportunity.

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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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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.

This opportunity supports projects that create high quality datasets and benchmarks to help train and test advanced AI systems. The focus is on building reliable, well structured data that can be used by others to develop better AI models, especially in areas like healthcare and advanced materials.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Working with large datasets or data platforms
✔️ Building tools for AI training, testing, or evaluation
✔️ Involved in healthcare or materials innovation using AI
✔️ Able to collaborate across data, engineering, and AI teams

Should you apply?
If you are developing valuable datasets or benchmarking tools and want to turn them into widely used resources that support AI innovation, commercial use, and industry adoption, this is a strong opportunity.

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Companies undertaking ambitious R&D projects in Scotland can access grant funding to develop innovative products, processes or services that strengthen competitiveness and deliver significant economic impact.

The programme supports businesses carrying out substantial research and development projects aligned with Scotland's economic transformation priorities, helping companies accelerate innovation that might otherwise be delayed or not proceed.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A business based in, or planning to locate in, the Scottish Enterprise region
✔️ Developing a significant new product, process or service, or a major improvement to an existing one
✔️ Delivering a large-scale R&D project with at least £1 million of company investment
✔️ Able to demonstrate strong commercial potential, clear economic benefits for Scotland, and the need for grant funding to enable the project
✔️ Working in one of Scotland's priority growth areas, including clean energy, life sciences, quantum, FinTech, space, advanced manufacturing or other high-growth industries

Should you apply?

If you have a commercially ambitious R&D project that will strengthen your business while creating high-value economic impact in Scotland, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will demonstrate genuine innovation, strong commercial prospects, experienced project delivery capability, and a compelling case that grant funding is essential to unlock the project's full potential.

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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).

Companies developing breakthrough technologies for critical raw materials can access funding to accelerate the commercialisation and scale-up of innovations that strengthen Europe's supply chains and reduce reliance on imported strategic materials.

The programme supports deep tech solutions across the critical raw materials value chain, from exploration and extraction through to processing, refining, and recycling, while improving sustainability and supporting Europe's industrial resilience.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ An SME or startup developing deep tech innovations for critical or strategic raw materials
✔️ Working on technologies for exploration, mining, processing, refining, metallurgy, or recycling of critical raw materials
✔️ Using advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, remote sensing, autonomous systems, bioleaching, hydrometallurgy, nanofiltration, or urban mining
✔️ Developing solutions that improve sustainability, resource efficiency, circularity, and reduce environmental impact across the raw materials value chain
✔️ Able to demonstrate a strong commercial case, clear market opportunity, and contribution to Europe's strategic raw materials security

Should you apply?

If you have a breakthrough deep tech innovation that strengthens Europe's critical raw materials supply chain and has the potential to scale internationally, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will combine technical innovation with a clear route to commercialisation, measurable sustainability benefits, and a compelling contribution to Europe's strategic autonomy and industrial competitiveness.

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The competition is designed to accelerate early-stage innovation in battery technologies, with a focus on validating feasibility and preparing solutions for commercial development across electrification sectors.

The emphasis is on demonstrating how novel battery technologies can meet real market needs, overcome industry challenges, and strengthen the UK’s battery supply chain and global competitiveness.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing new or improved battery technologies, materials, or systems at an early stage
✔️ Looking to validate technical and commercial feasibility before moving to development
✔️ Addressing clear industry challenges in electrification (e.g. performance, cost, scalability, sustainability)
✔️ A UK business aiming to strengthen its position within the battery value chain

Should you apply?
If you have an early-stage battery innovation with a clear application, strong market demand, and a credible plan to validate feasibility and unlock future commercialisation, this is a highly relevant opportunity to pursue.

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Ambitious innovators and researchers looking to establish themselves as independent leaders can access long-term funding and support to accelerate both their career development and the delivery of high-impact innovation.

The programme is designed to help emerging leaders build independent careers through ambitious research and innovation programmes that deliver meaningful economic, societal or technological benefits for the UK.


This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ An early-career innovator or researcher with leadership potential
✔️ Developing a novel, ambitious innovation or research programme with significant UK impact
✔️ Looking to establish an independent career pathway and build leadership capability
✔️ Supported by a UK-based host organisation such as a business, charity, public sector organisation, research organisation or Agri-Tech Centre

Should you apply?

If you have a compelling vision, a strong host organisation, and can demonstrate how the fellowship will accelerate both your leadership development and the impact of your innovation, this is one of the UK's most prestigious opportunities for future research and innovation leaders.

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Programme is designed to support the creation and growth of early-stage deep-tech spin-outs, with a strong focus on helping them become investment-ready and secure their first significant funding round.

The emphasis is on bridging the gap between initial customer validation and investor readiness, by providing targeted support, funding, and guidance to build strong commercial proof points.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A newly formed or soon-to-be spin-out in Frontier AI, Engineering Biology, or Advanced Materials
✔️ Past early customer discovery and now preparing to raise your first investment round
✔️ Looking to build clear investor proof points rather than continue core R&D
✔️ A high-growth deep-tech venture with strong commercial potential

Should you apply?
If you are an early-stage spin-out with validated market interest and need support to become investment-ready, remove key commercial barriers, and secure your first funding round, this is a highly relevant opportunity to pursue.

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ATI SME Programme

The ATI SME Programme supports UK aerospace SMEs to develop innovative technologies that strengthen the UK civil aerospace supply chain and can be commercialised within the next five years. Projects must align with the UK's Aerospace Technology Strategy and have a primary application in civil aerospace, although dual-use technologies are welcomed where civil aerospace remains the main market.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing an innovative technology for the civil aerospace sector
✔️ Carrying out industrial research(not feasibility or experimental development)
✔️ A UK registered SME, or a larger business leading a consortium that includes at least one SME
✔️ Delivering a project lasting 12 to 36 months
✔️ Seeking up to £1.5 million in grant funding
✔️ Planning to exploit the technology within the UK
✔️ Able to align your project with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy

Key eligibility

Lead: UK registered SME, or UK business of any size with at least one SME partner
Collaboration is encouraged but not mandatory
Research organisations cannot lead
Subcontractors are permitted (including overseas where fully justified)
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Projects should:

Develop technologies aligned to the Aerospace Technology Strategy
Deliver clear aircraft-level benefits such as improved performance, efficiency, sustainability, safety or reduced cost
Demonstrate a strong commercial opportunity and route to market
Deliver clear economic benefits for the UK aerospace sector

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The programme will not fund:

Defence-only or space-only projects
Fundamental research
Feasibility studies
Experimental development
Projects outside the Aerospace Technology Strategy

The programme operates as a two-stage competition, beginning with an Outline Stage presentation, followed by a Full Stage Application for successful applicants.

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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.

Companies developing breakthrough fusion energy technologies can access funding to accelerate the commercialisation and scale-up of innovations that overcome the key technical barriers to future fusion power plants.

The programme supports deep tech startups and SMEs developing alternative reactor concepts, advanced components, materials, and enabling technologies that will help position Europe as a global leader in commercially viable fusion energy.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A startup or SME developing innovative technologies for fusion energy generation or fusion power plant infrastructure
✔️ Working on fusion reactor concepts, plasma systems, advanced materials, superconducting magnets, laser technologies, digital twins, AI, machine learning, or fuel cycle technologies
✔️ Developing enabling technologies that address major technical bottlenecks preventing commercial fusion power generation
✔️ Looking to scale deep tech innovations with the potential to become part of Europe's future fusion energy value chain
✔️ Able to demonstrate a clear pathway towards commercialisation and long-term impact within the fusion energy sector

Should you apply?

If you have a breakthrough fusion technology with the potential to solve critical challenges in commercial fusion power generation, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will combine deep technical innovation with a credible route to commercial deployment, helping accelerate Europe's transition towards commercially viable fusion energy while strengthening its industrial leadership in next-generation clean energy technologies.

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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.

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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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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This programme supports large scale projects that develop and scale bio based solutions to replace fossil based materials and processes. The focus is on building more sustainable industries across areas like materials, chemicals, food, and manufacturing, while improving resource use and reducing environmental impact.

‍This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing bio based materials, chemicals, or products
✔️ Working on recycling, biodegradability, or circular solutions
✔️ Building technologies that use biomass or waste streams
✔️ Able to collaborate across industry, research, and supply chains

Should you apply?
If you are developing a sustainable solution that can replace fossil based products and want to scale it through strong European partnerships, demonstrate real environmental impact, and bring it closer to industrial use and market adoption, this is a strong opportunity.

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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

This opportunity supports the development of healthcare technologies that can be used in the NHS or social care. It focuses on helping teams move proven ideas closer to real world use by funding product development, testing, and real world validation. The aim is to reduce risk and make innovations more attractive to buyers, investors, and healthcare providers.
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This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing a medical device, diagnostic, or digital health solution
✔️ Working on a product that already has proof it can work
✔️ Looking to test, validate, or scale a healthcare innovation
✔️ Able to collaborate with at least one other organisation
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Should you apply?
If you have a healthcare solution that already shows promise and need funding to develop it further, prove its value in real settings, and move towards NHS adoption and commercial success, this is a strong opportunity.

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The competition supports collaborative industrial research projects that develop the next generation of quantum computing hardware and associated software needed to deliver scalable, programmable and fault-tolerant quantum computers. Projects should accelerate commercialisation while strengthening the UK's quantum computing supply chain and capability.

This is a strong fit if you are:

• ✔️ Developing device-level quantum computing hardware or enabling software
• ✔️ Undertaking industrial research
• ✔️ Building collaborative projects across industry and research
• ✔️ Developing technologies that improve scalability, programmability or runtime performance of universal fault-tolerant quantum computers

Projects should:

• Develop innovative quantum computing hardware and enabling software
• Address the scale, programmability and runtime requirements of universal fault-tolerant quantum computing
• Strengthen UK commercial capability and supply chains
• Demonstrate a credible route to commercialisation and UK economic impact

Application rules

• One lead application per organisation
• A lead organisation may collaborate on up to two additional applications
• Organisations not leading may collaborate on any number of applications
• Previous applications cannot be resubmitted to this competition.

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This opportunity supports organisations developing solutions that improve how wildfires are detected, monitored, and managed using space technology. The focus is on helping teams build and test services that can support real time response, improve decision making, and reduce the impact of wildfires in operational settings.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Using satellite data, positioning, or communications in your solution
✔️ Working on wildfire detection, monitoring, or prediction tools
✔️ Building systems for emergency response or environmental monitoring
✔️ Looking to develop or test a service with real world users

Should you apply?
If you are developing a solution that can improve wildfire response and want support to prove its value, test it in real conditions, and scale it with backing from ESA and industry partners, this is a strong opportunity.

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This opportunity supports projects that aim to reduce harmful emissions from aircraft beyond just carbon dioxide. The focus is on developing technologies that tackle issues like fuel impact, onboard systems, and how aircraft are operated, helping make aviation cleaner while strengthening the UK aerospace sector.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing aerospace technologies that reduce environmental impact
✔️ Working on fuels, propulsion systems, or onboard aircraft components
✔️ Using data, modelling, or systems to improve aviation efficiency
✔️ Collaborating across industry and research to drive innovation

Should you apply?
If you are building a solution that can reduce aviation emissions and want to develop it further, prove its impact, and position your technology for adoption across the civil aerospace industry, this is a strong opportunity.

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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.

This competition funds large research programmes focused on improving how cancer is detected and diagnosed at an earlier stage. It supports long term, ambitious projects that bring together multiple research areas to solve a central challenge in early detection, with a clear path to real world healthcare impact. Projects should go beyond basic research and show how they could improve patient outcomes or healthcare systems.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A researcher, clinician, or healthcare professional in a UK institution
✔️ Working on early cancer detection or diagnostic tools
✔️ Part of a collaborative research programme across multiple teams
✔️ An SME supporting with technology, data, or specialist expertise

Should you apply?
If you are involved in a large research programme aiming to improve how cancer is found and diagnosed earlier, and can show real impact on patients or healthcare systems, this is a strong opportunity.

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This competition offers loan funding to help UK SMEs bring defence innovations to market. It is designed for companies with more developed technologies that are ready to scale and commercialise. The focus is on supporting businesses that can meet real defence needs while also delivering commercial value in the UK or globally.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A UK based SME with a defence related innovation
✔️ Ready to commercialise an existing product or technology
✔️ Able to take on a loan and demonstrate how you will repay it
✔️ Building a solution with clear defence and commercial use
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Should you apply?
If you have a mature defence innovation and need funding to bring it to market while growing your business, this is a strong opportunity.

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

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.

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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This competition funds long term research programmes that help mid career researchers build independence and lead their own work in cancer research. The aim is to support strong, connected research projects that explore key questions in cancer biology and generate knowledge that can lead to future breakthroughs or larger funding.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A UK based researcher ready to lead your own cancer research programme
✔️ Working on core cancer biology or early stage scientific questions
✔️ Building a multi year research plan with several linked studies
✔️ An SME supporting with technology, data, or specialist expertise

Should you apply?
If you are ready to step into a leadership role and build a long term research programme in cancer, this is a strong opportunity.

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This competition is funding early stage ideas that could create entirely new markets or change how industries work today. It focuses on three areas: new materials for small energy systems, biotech solutions to support healthy ageing, and advanced AI that can reason, learn, and plan more like humans. The goal is to turn bold research ideas into real world applications that improve everyday life, from healthcare to smart cities. Projects should be at an early stage and aim to show clear proof that the idea works, with strong potential to grow into something commercially valuable.

This is a strong fit if you are:

- Developing new materials or energy solutions
- Working on biotech, healthcare, or ageing related innovations
- Building advanced AI systems beyond current models
- A startup, SME, or research team with an early stage idea

Should you apply?‍

If you are working on a bold, early stage innovation with the potential to shape future markets or solve big global challenges, this is a strong opportunity.

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Creative and cultural organisations based in Scotland can access flexible funding to deliver creative projects, research and development, long-term programmes of work, or activities that strengthen organisational sustainability.

The programme supports public-benefit focused creative activity across Scotland, helping organisations develop new work, build resilience and diversify income rather than supporting primarily commercial ventures.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A constituted artistic, creative or cultural organisation based in Scotland
✔️ Delivering a one-off creative project, production, research and development activity, or a longer-term programme of work
✔️ Looking to strengthen your organisation through business development, organisational development or new income generation
✔️ Delivering activity that provides clear public benefit through arts, culture or creativity
✔️ Seeking flexible funding for projects lasting up to 18 months

Should you apply?

If your organisation is delivering creative or cultural activity that benefits the public and contributes to Scotland's creative sector, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applications will demonstrate strong artistic or cultural value, clear public benefit, organisational capability and a well-planned programme of activity with lasting impact.

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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.

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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Companies with mature healthcare innovations can access funding to accelerate product development, commercialisation and investment readiness across Europe.

The programme supports high-growth SMEs developing innovative solutions in biotech, medtech, digital health, AI, and biomarkers or diagnostics, helping them reach the next stage of commercial growth while addressing significant unmet clinical needs.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ An SME developing an innovative biotech, medtech, digital health, AI, or diagnostic solution
✔️ Have a mature product with demonstrated technical and commercial progress (IML 5–7+, depending on technology area)
✔️ Have raised at least €2 million in equity investment within the previous 36 months, including investment from at least one new investor
✔️ Looking to accelerate product development, strengthen your commercialisation strategy and prepare for your next fundraising round
✔️ Able to provide 50% co-funding alongside the EIT Health grant

Should you apply?

If you have a well-funded healthcare startup with a mature innovation, clear clinical value and strong commercial potential, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will demonstrate readiness to scale, a robust commercial strategy, and the ability to translate innovation into widespread healthcare adoption and future investment.

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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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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 funding topic focuses on improving the security, resilience, and trustworthiness of artificial intelligence systems, particularly those used in cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and decision-making environments. As AI adoption grows, these systems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to adversarial attacks that manipulate inputs, poison training data, or introduce hidden vulnerabilities.

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Projects should develop stronger and more trustworthy AI systems by improving their ability to withstand threats such as adversarial manipulation, data poisoning, and backdoor attacks. This includes creating new defence techniques, real-time detection systems for suspicious behaviour, and tools to identify compromised datasets.

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The call aims to develop robust AI systems that can detect, resist, and recover from these threats, while also ensuring sensitive data remains protected.

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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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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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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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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.

Businesses developing highly innovative, near-market technologies can access patient finance through an Innovation Loan to support late-stage R&D, validation, and commercialisation activities where traditional funding is not available on suitable terms.

Unlike a grant, this programme is designed for ambitious SMEs with a clear route to revenue, strong commercial potential, and the ability to repay the loan through future business growth.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ An SME developing a highly innovative product, process, service, or business model that is significantly ahead of current market offerings
✔️ Undertaking late-stage experimental development activities such as prototyping, piloting, testing, validation, or commercial-scale preparation
✔️ Operating within one of the UK Government's priority sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Digital & Technologies, Defence, Life Sciences, or Creative Industries
✔️ Able to demonstrate a credible commercialisation strategy, market demand, and strong economic impact for the UK
✔️ Unable to secure suitable finance from private investors, lenders, or other funding sources

Should you apply?

If you have a commercially focused innovation at TRL 5 or above, a strong management team, clear customer demand, and a realistic plan to generate revenue and repay the loan, this is a highly relevant funding opportunity. Successful applicants will demonstrate both technical innovation and commercial readiness, alongside a compelling case for why loan funding is required to unlock growth and market adoption.

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This opportunity supports projects testing clean maritime technologies before they are deployed in real world conditions. The focus is on developing and trialling solutions on land, such as in factories or dry docks, to reduce emissions in the maritime sector. Projects should show clear potential to cut carbon and prepare technologies for future use on vessels or within port infrastructure.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing clean maritime or shipping technologies
✔️ Working on low or zero emission fuels, energy systems, or vessel upgrades
✔️ Building smart shipping or digital solutions that improve efficiency
✔️ Already have partners including end users like ports or vessel operators

Should you apply?
If you have a maritime innovation that needs real world testing before deployment, and want to prove its impact on reducing emissions while preparing for future commercial use across vessels or ports, this is a strong opportunity.

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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 opportunity supports agri-tech businesses looking to move their products closer to large scale manufacturing and real world use. The focus is on improving product performance, reliability, and production processes so innovations can be produced at scale and adopted by farmers and the wider agriculture sector.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing an agri-tech product ready for scaling
✔️ Looking to improve manufacturing, supply chains, or product reliability
✔️ Working on solutions that boost agricultural productivity or sustainability
✔️ Preparing your product for market adoption and commercial growth

Should you apply?
If you have an agri-tech solution that works and now need to scale production, improve reliability, and bring it to market so it can be widely adopted across the agriculture sector, this is a strong opportunity.

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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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Competition is designed to accelerate the development and scale-up of battery-grade materials, with a strong focus on strengthening the UK’s battery supply chain and enabling large-scale manufacturing capability.

The emphasis is on addressing critical gaps in material processing, extraction, and recycling, while reducing reliance on overseas supply and supporting a more resilient, circular UK battery ecosystem.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing battery materials, processing technologies, or recycling solutions for electrification
✔️ Working on scaling technologies from lab to pilot or pre-commercial manufacturing
✔️ Addressing supply chain challenges such as critical material access, quality, or circularity
✔️ Part of a collaborative consortium targeting UK-based manufacturing and supply chain growth

Should you apply?
If you have a battery materials innovation with clear potential to scale, improve supply chain resilience, and support UK-based manufacturing and circular economy goals, this is a highly relevant opportunity to pursue.

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This competition supports mid-stage innovation in offshore wind, helping organisations develop and refine technologies that can improve performance, reliability and cost across the supply chain.

The focus is on taking promising concepts and advancing them towards real-world application, particularly in areas that can strengthen UK manufacturing capability and long-term industry competitiveness.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing technologies that improve the manufacturing, durability or performance of turbine blades and towers
✔️ Working on deepwater foundations, moorings or scalable fabrication methods for offshore structures
✔️ Building solutions to improve reliability, monitoring or repair of offshore cables and transmission systems
✔️ Part of a collaborative team aiming to move technology closer to commercial deployment

Should you apply?
If your project builds on existing work and you are ready to advance it through structured development, testing and validation with clear industry relevance, commercial potential, and alignment to offshore wind supply chain needs, this is a strong opportunity to progress your innovation.

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Rail suppliers with mature technologies now have an opportunity to prove their solutions in live railway environments and accelerate adoption across the UK rail network.

The programme focuses on high-maturity demonstrations that help organisations validate integration, gather operational evidence, de-risk implementation, and demonstrate measurable benefits for the rail industry.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing a TRL 5+ solution ready for real-world railway trials
✔️ Able to work with rail operators, infrastructure owners, or integration partners
✔️ Looking to demonstrate operational, safety, customer experience, infrastructure, or environmental benefits
✔️ Seeking to accelerate commercial adoption through live testing and evaluation

Should you apply?

If your technology is ready for demonstration in a railway environment and you can clearly show how it integrates into rail operations while delivering measurable outcomes, this is a highly relevant opportunity to pursue.

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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.