Innovate UK Grant Competitions
Innovate UK
What it funds
Rolling portfolio of themed R&D grant competitions for UK businesses, typically funding 25-70% of project costs across feasibility, industrial research and experimental development.
Who can apply
UK registered business of any size (SMEs often attract higher intervention rates). Project must be innovative, with technical risk, and deliver economic benefit to the UK. Specific competitions add scope, TRL and sector constraints.
Key criteria
- UK registered business
- Undertaking genuine R&D / innovation with technical risk
How to apply
Find a live competition on the Innovation Funding Service, register, submit online application against published scope and assessment questions. Assessed by independent assessors; decisions typically 6-10 weeks after deadline.
Evidence you'll need
- Project plan with work packages
- Detailed project costs
- Last filed accounts
- Technical narrative and risk register
Last checked against the official source within the last 7 days. Scheme parameters are set by the funder and can change — verify before applying, or let us do it for you.
Related schemes
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Innovate UK / UKRI
Funds a high-calibre graduate (Associate) plus academic team embedded in your business for 12-36 months to deliver a strategic innovation project. SMEs typically pay ~33% of project costs.
R&D Tax Relief (Merged Scheme & ERIS)
HMRC
Corporation tax relief on qualifying R&D expenditure. Merged scheme gives a 20% above-the-line credit (~15-16% net); loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs can claim enhanced support (ERIS) worth up to ~27p per £1 of qualifying spend.
Patent Box
HMRC
Reduces corporation tax to an effective 10% on profits attributable to patented inventions and certain other IP rights.