IUK:Future Fellowships Round 10

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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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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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 competition is looking for simple, portable blood testing devices that can be used in military or remote environments where labs are not available. The aim is to make blood transfusions safer by allowing fast, on-the-spot testing for blood type and infections like HIV and Hepatitis, without needing trained specialists. Your solution should be quick, easy to use, and work in tough conditions with very little equipment, using only a small blood sample. Projects should already be at a mid stage of development and can run for up to 24 months, with a focus on practical tools that can be used in real situations.

This is a strong fit if you are:‍

- Developing medical devices or diagnostic tools
- Working on rapid or point-of-care testing
- Building solutions for harsh or remote environments
- Creating simple tools that non-experts can use

Should you apply?‍

If you are building a fast and portable testing tool that can be used in real world, high pressure environments, especially in healthcare or defence, 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 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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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 opportunity supports agri-tech businesses that need to improve and prove their product before scaling. The focus is on closing key gaps in performance, reliability, and real world testing so solutions can gain market acceptance and move towards manufacturing and wider adoption.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing an agri-tech product that still needs validation
✔️ Looking to improve performance or reliability before scaling
✔️ Working on solutions for farming, food production, or sustainability
✔️ Preparing your product for real world use and customer adoption‍

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Should you apply?
If you have an agri-tech product that is not fully proven yet and need funding to refine it, test it in real conditions, and build confidence for customers and future scale up, this is a strong opportunity.

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This programme supports SMEs working on innovative products, services, or processes through international collaboration. The focus is on helping businesses develop and commercialise new solutions by partnering with organisations across different countries, with strong emphasis on real market potential and impact.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ An SME developing a new or improved product or technology
✔️ Looking to collaborate with international partners
✔️ Building a solution with clear commercial potential
✔️ Working on innovation that solves real industry or societal challenges

Should you apply?
If you are an SME ready to develop your innovation with international partners and want support to bring it to market, grow your business, and access funding through national programmes across Europe, this is a strong opportunity.

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

This programme supports SMEs developing innovative technologies for the aerospace sector, helping move ideas closer to real world use. The focus is on advancing solutions that can contribute to cleaner, more efficient aviation, while also supporting growth across the wider aerospace supply chain.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing technology for the civil aerospace sector
✔️ An SME looking to scale innovation with industry impact
✔️ Working on solutions that improve efficiency, sustainability, or performance
✔️ Able to collaborate or build a strong project with other partners

Should you apply?
If you are building an aerospace innovation with strong commercial potential and want to develop it further, gain industry traction, and position your solution for adoption across the aerospace supply chain, this is a strong opportunity.

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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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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 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 competition funds research projects focused on developing new treatments for childhood cancers. The aim is to help move early therapeutic ideas forward by generating the key data needed to support further development, investment, or clinical use. Projects should focus on real treatment solutions and show a clear path towards helping patients.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A UK research organisation working on childhood cancer treatments
✔️ Developing new therapies such as drugs, biologics, or immunotherapies
✔️ Running preclinical studies to prove a treatment could work
✔️ An SME supporting with technology, drug development, or specialist expertise

Should you apply?
If you are working on a new treatment for childhood cancer and need support to generate the data required to move it closer to real world use, this is a strong opportunity.

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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.

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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This competition is designed to accelerate the development of enabling technologies for commercial quantum networking, with a strong focus on building deployable components that can integrate into real-world systems.

The emphasis is on delivering practical prototypes that support secure, scalable quantum communications, while strengthening the UK’s position in next-generation networking infrastructure and sovereign technology capability.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing quantum networking components such as photonics, encryption, interfaces, or communication subsystems
✔️ Able to build a deployable prototype with a clear integration pathway into real-world platforms
✔️ Working on technologies that enable secure data transmission, distributed quantum systems, or hybrid quantum-classical networks
✔️ Focused on commercial applications with a defined market need and route to adoption

Should you apply?
If you have a prototype-stage innovation that can act as a critical building block for quantum networking, with clear technical differentiation, integration readiness, and a strong commercial pathway, this is a highly relevant opportunity to pursue.

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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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Companies developing breakthrough technologies with global market potential can access one of Europe's most prestigious innovation funding programmes to accelerate commercialisation and scale-up.

The EIC Accelerator is designed to support highly innovative startups and SMEs developing disruptive technologies that have the potential to create new markets or transform existing industries, particularly where private investment is difficult to secure due to technical or commercial risk.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A startup or SME developing a breakthrough technology with strong intellectual property ownership
✔️ Operating in deep tech, AI, healthcare, sustainability, energy, advanced manufacturing, or another highly innovative sector
✔️ At TRL 6-8 with a technology approaching commercial readiness and requiring significant investment to scale
✔️ Targeting international growth and capable of delivering substantial economic impact

Should you apply?

If you have a highly differentiated innovation, strong commercial potential, and a credible route to market, the EIC Accelerator remains one of the most attractive funding opportunities available. UK companies can apply for grants of up to €2.5 million covering up to 70% of eligible project costs, while companies in other eligible countries may also access substantial equity investment through blended finance.

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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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.

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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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 mature digital health, AI or data-driven healthcare solutions can access funding to accelerate commercialisation and adoption across European healthcare systems.

The programme supports commercially ready healthcare innovations by funding real-world validation, market access activities and deployment, helping companies generate the evidence needed to scale across Europe.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ An SME or industry-led organisation developing a mature digital, AI-powered or data-driven healthcare solution
✔️ Ready to validate your product in real-world healthcare settings and prepare for commercial scale-up
✔️ Able to form a consortium with at least two independent organisations from different eligible countries, including partners from at least two sides of the Knowledge Triangle (Industry, Research and Education)
✔️ Looking to strengthen market access through usability testing, health economics, reimbursement planning and commercial validation
✔️ Able to co-fund 50% of the project and demonstrate a clear route to market

Should you apply?

If you have a clinically validated digital health innovation that is ready for commercial deployment across Europe, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong commercial potential, a robust consortium, a clear market access strategy and the ability to generate real-world evidence that supports widespread adoption across healthcare systems.

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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.

The Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) Open Call, run by EIT Urban Mobility, funds the development and delivery of professional training and learning services that address urban mobility knowledge gaps and support more liveable cities. It is open to a wide range of organisations across EU Member States and Horizon Europe–associated countries, with projects eligible for up to €700,000 in funding over a maximum of 35 months. Proposals should align with the strategic objectives of the EIT Urban Mobility Academy and demonstrate impact, scalability, and financial sustainability. The call supports a broad range of training-related activities, from course development and commercialisation to scaling successful programmes and providing operational support services.

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

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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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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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.

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.

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

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 programme is focused on taking clean maritime technologies all the way through to real-world deployment and operation at scale. It is designed for ambitious projects that can build, deploy and run solutions over multiple years in live environments, helping position the UK as a leader in maritime decarbonisation.‍

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This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing vessel or port technologies that significantly reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency
✔️ Able to deliver a large-scale project involving build, deployment and multi-year real-world operation
✔️ A UK business leading a consortium with strong commercial and delivery partners
✔️ Targeting solutions such as alternative fuels, electrification, charging infrastructure or vessel efficiency upgrades‍

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Should you apply?
If you have a mature, high-value solution ready to be deployed and operated in real-world maritime environments, with the capability to deliver a large collaborative project and demonstrate long-term impact, this is a strong opportunity.

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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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​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.

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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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 strand focuses on early stage feasibility work for clean maritime solutions. The aim is to help teams explore whether an idea is technically and commercially viable before moving into testing or deployment. Projects are mainly desk based and should build a clear case for future real world use, especially in reducing emissions across maritime operations.

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This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Exploring a new clean maritime concept or idea
✔️ Assessing feasibility before committing to development or testing
✔️ Working on green shipping, infrastructure, or maritime skills
✔️ Collaborating with partners like ports, operators, or industry bodies

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Should you apply?
If you are at an early stage and need to validate your idea, understand costs and impact, and build a strong foundation for future trials, investment, or deployment in the maritime sector, 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

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).

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.

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.

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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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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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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Companies developing biotechnology solutions for healthier agricultural soils can access funding to accelerate the commercialisation and scale-up of innovations that improve soil health, increase agricultural resilience, and reduce reliance on harmful chemicals.

The programme supports deep tech startups and SMEs developing breakthrough biotechnologies that restore soil quality, enhance biodiversity, improve crop productivity, and strengthen Europe's sustainable bioeconomy.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A startup or SME developing biotechnology solutions for sustainable agriculture or soil regeneration
✔️ Working on bioremediation, soil microbiome management, renewable fertilisers, bio-stimulants, or other biological approaches to improving soil health
✔️ Using technologies such as AI, sensors, or digital monitoring to optimise soil management and measure environmental impact
✔️ Developing circular solutions that transform agricultural waste, biomass, or biological materials into sustainable agricultural products
✔️ Able to demonstrate a clear pathway to commercialisation, environmental impact, and adoption within agricultural production systems

Should you apply?

If you have a breakthrough biotechnology with the potential to improve soil health, increase agricultural productivity, and support more sustainable farming, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will combine strong scientific innovation with a clear route to market, measurable environmental benefits, and a compelling contribution to Europe's transition towards a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.

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This opportunity focuses on developing advanced electronic components that can be used in smart systems for automation and autonomy. The aim is to help businesses create components that are ready to be integrated into real platforms, such as robotics, drones, or industrial systems, and support how these systems sense, make decisions, and act.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing hardware or components for smart or autonomous systems
✔️ Working on AI, sensors, processing, or control technologies
✔️ Building solutions for industrial, robotics, or high performance environments
✔️ Looking to make your technology ready for integration and wider use

Should you apply?
If you are creating a component that can be used in next generation smart systems and want to make it ready for real world integration, adoption by other companies, and commercial use across multiple industries, this is a strong opportunity.

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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 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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Companies developing deep tech solutions that help communities, infrastructure, agriculture, and natural systems adapt to climate change can access funding to accelerate commercialisation and scale across Europe.

The programme supports startups and SMEs developing breakthrough technologies that address Europe's most urgent climate adaptation challenges, with a strong focus on deployment in partnership with regional and local authorities.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A startup or SME developing deep tech solutions for climate adaptation and resilience
✔️ Building innovations that address urban heat, climate-smart agriculture, water scarcity, or flood and coastal resilience
✔️ Combining engineering, AI, advanced materials, biotechnology, or nature-based solutions to improve climate resilience
✔️ Developing scalable technologies that can be deployed by cities, local authorities, utilities, infrastructure providers, or the agricultural sector
✔️ Able to demonstrate a clear route to commercialisation, measurable climate impact, and adoption across Europe

Should you apply?

If you have a breakthrough technology that helps communities, infrastructure, or industries adapt to climate change while delivering measurable environmental and commercial impact, this is a highly relevant opportunity. Successful applicants will combine strong deep tech innovation with a clear business case, scalable deployment model, and the potential to strengthen Europe's long-term climate resilience.

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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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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.

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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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 opportunity supports projects that improve how medicines are developed and manufactured using digital tools, automation, and robotics. The aim is to make processes faster, more efficient, and more scalable, helping bring new treatments to patients more quickly while reducing manual work and increasing productivity.‍

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This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing digital, AI, or automated solutions for pharma or biotech
✔️ Working on robotics or smart systems for manufacturing
✔️ Looking to improve speed, efficiency, or quality in production
✔️ Building tools that can be adopted across labs or manufacturing sites‍

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Should you apply?
If you are creating technology that can transform how medicines are developed or produced, and want to scale its use, improve efficiency, and support faster delivery of treatments to patients, 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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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.

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 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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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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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.

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 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.

This topic supports large-scale demonstration of advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin to meet the needs of sectors such as aviation, shipping, and energy-intensive industries. Projects should engage feedstock developers, technology providers, fuel suppliers, end users, and public authorities to deliver ready-to-deploy, economically viable solutions while assessing the impact of actual feedstocks on plant design and operation. Expected outcomes include de-risking innovative technologies, supporting scale-up, enhancing sustainability and GHG reduction, and providing evidence to inform policy, regulatory decisions, and investment. Proposals must include robust exploitation and dissemination plans, covering commercialisation, scalability, business cases, local economic impact, and full value chain assessments.

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This oppportunity is centred on accelerating the adoption of alternative fuel technologies in the maritime sector by supporting projects that build, deploy and operate vessels and refuelling infrastructure at scale.

The focus is on enabling real-world use of low and zero-emission fuels, alongside the infrastructure required to support them, proving that these solutions can operate reliably and commercially over a sustained period.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing vessels powered by alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol or other low-carbon fuel systems
✔️ Building bunkering, storage or refuelling infrastructure within ports to support alternative fuel adoption
✔️ A UK business able to lead a large consortium delivering both vessel and infrastructure components
✔️ Working with ports, operators or supply chain partners to enable real-world deployment and long-term operation

Should you apply?
If your project is ready to move beyond development into full-scale deployment, with a clear plan to build, operate and validate alternative fuel systems in real-world maritime environments alongside committed partners and end users, this is a highly relevant opportunity to pursue.

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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 opportunity supports early stage startups building solutions for urban mobility, helping them raise funding and scale across Europe. The focus is on high impact innovations that improve how people and goods move in cities, including areas like clean transport, shared mobility, and data driven systems.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ A startup with a mobility solution already in development
✔️ Working on transport, logistics, or city mobility challenges
✔️ Raising investment at pre seed, seed, or Series A stage
✔️ Building a product with clear potential to scale across cities

Should you apply?
If you are a startup looking to raise funding while scaling your mobility solution, and want support to grow faster, expand into new markets, and deliver real impact in cities across Europe, this is a strong opportunity.

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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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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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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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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.

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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​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.

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 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 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.

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.

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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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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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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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 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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​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. ​

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.

Organisations developing technologies, products, services or business models that help consumers actively participate in a flexible energy system can access significant funding to accelerate commercialisation and support the UK's transition to a clean energy future.

The programme is designed to support innovations that enable consumer-led flexibility, helping households and businesses shift energy use, support grid resilience, and contribute to the UK's Clean Energy Superpower Mission. Projects are expected to deliver real-world impact by 2030 and demonstrate a credible route to deployment and adoption.

This is a strong fit if you are:

✔️ Developing solutions that encourage or enable consumer participation in energy flexibility markets
✔️ Able to demonstrate how your innovation can contribute to clean energy adoption, grid flexibility, or energy system optimisation by 2030
✔️ Bringing together energy sector expertise, end users, and commercial partners to accelerate impact
✔️ Looking to progress feasibility, industrial research, or experimental development activities towards commercialisation

Should you apply?

If your innovation can help unlock consumer participation in a more flexible energy system, has a clear route to UK deployment, and can demonstrate measurable impact on the transition to clean energy, this is a highly relevant opportunity. The competition supports projects ranging from early feasibility through to near-market development, with grants available up to £3 million depending on project stage.

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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 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.

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.

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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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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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.

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 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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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. ​