Innovation, research and development grants

This page is a comprehensive guide to the funding landscape for innovation, research and development (R&D) in the UK. It covers key funding organisations, schemes, and types of support available to businesses, researchers, and innovators.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is the overarching body responsible for funding research and innovation in the UK. It consists of multiple Research Councils, including Innovate UK which focuses primarily on business innovation. Funding under UKRI typically supports:

Academic research

• Grants for universities and research institutions across various disciplines
• Fellowships and doctoral funding

Collaborative research

• Partnerships between academia, businesses, and other organisations
• Emphasis on fundamental and applied research with long-term societal impact

Specific Research Councils

• Grants to support sector-specific academic research and collaborative projects
• Funding varies by council and project

Small-scale or high-risk projects

• Programmes like New Horizons that prioritise early-stage, transformative ideas

Learn about the work UKRI is doing to support UK innovation. You can also use the UKRI Funding Finder to search for current funding opportunities.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK, part of UKRI, is the UK's national innovation agency. Its funding aims to help businesses commercialise their innovations and bring products and services to market. Key grants, funding and support programmes include:

Smart Grants

• Purpose: Support innovative, business-led R&D projects across industries
• Funding: Up to £2 million
• Eligibility: UK-registered businesses, including SMEs
• Details: Smart Grants

Innovate UK Innovation Loans

• Purpose: Fund late-stage R&D projects with strong commercial potential
• Funding: £100,000 to £2 million, repayable over up to 10 years
• Eligibility: UK-registered SMEs with viable projects and repayment plans
• Details: Innovation Loans

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

• Purpose: Link businesses with academia for innovation projects led by graduates
• Funding: Based on project needs
• Eligibility: Businesses partnering with UK academic or research institutions
• Details: KTP scheme

Innovate UK competitions

• Purpose: Fund sector-specific innovations in areas like health tech and digital solutions
• Funding: Varies per competition
• Eligibility: UK-registered businesses, including SMEs
• Details: Innovation Funding Service

Catalyst programmes

• Purpose: Stimulate innovation in key sectors like biomedical, energy and creative
• Funding: Varies - often similar to Smart Grants
• Eligibility: UK businesses collaborating with research organisations
• Details: Innovate UK Catalysts

Contracts for Innovation (formerly Small Business Research Initiative)

• Purpose: Fund innovative solutions to public sector challenges
• Funding: Varies by challenge and phase
• Eligibility: UK-registered businesses, including SMEs
• Details: Contracts for Innovation

Investor Partnership programme

• Purpose: Support high-growth SMEs with match funding
• Funding: Grant funding combined with private investment
• Eligibility: UK SMEs invited by approved investor partners
• Details: Investor Partnership

ICURe (Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research)

• Purpose: Help researchers turn academic innovations into market-ready solutions
• Funding: Varies by programme
• Eligibility: UK-based university researchers and their teams
• Details: ICURe

Several other Innovate UK programmes are worth noting, too. While they do not typically offer direct funding, they play a crucial role in helping businesses secure funding.

Innovate UK Business Connect (formerly Knowledge Transfer Network)

• Purpose: Connects businesses with partners and sector experts
• Funding: No direct funding
• Eligibility: UK businesses, researchers, and innovators
• Details: Innovate UK Business Connect

Innovate UK Business Growth (formerly Innovate UK EDGE)

• Purpose: Help SMEs scale and access new markets
• Funding: No direct funding
• Eligibility: UK-based SMEs with growth potential
• Details: Innovate UK Business Growth

The Catapult Network

• Purpose: Innovation hubs offering businesses access to advanced facilities and skills
• Focus areas: Advanced manufacturing, energy systems, digital technologies, and health
• Eligibility: Open to UK businesses in key sectors
• Details: Catapult Centres

ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency)

Established in 2023, ARIA operates independently as a separate entity and is directly sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. ARIA funds high-risk, high-reward research, distinct from the broader innovation and research funding managed by UKRI and Innovate UK. Learn about ARIA's programmes.

R&D tax relief

The UK government offers significant R&D tax relief to businesses conducting qualifying R&D activities in the UK. This scheme can be critical for SMEs and larger businesses looking to reduce the costs associated with their innovation efforts. See more on R&D tax reliefs.

The British Business Bank

The British Business Bank helps smaller businesses access finance, co-investing with private investors through programmes like the Future Fund: Breakthrough. While some programmes focus on high-growth sectors like life sciences and clean technology, the Bank collaborates with regional partners to support innovation across various industries. Find out more about the British Business Bank.

Made Smarter

Made Smarter is a UK initiative that helps manufacturers adopt innovative digital technologies to improve productivity and competitiveness. It offers support through grants, expert advice, and training to assist businesses in integrating innovations like artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics into their operations. Read about Made Smarter Innovation.

Regional development agencies

For businesses in Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland provides advisory services and tailored R&D grants, innovation vouchers, and support for collaborative projects. Find out more about R&D grants and support in Northern Ireland.

Scottish Enterprise and Business Wales provide similar support to businesses in Scotland and Wales, respectively.

International programmes

Global opportunities for innovation and R&D funding exist outside the UK through several key programmes:

Horizon Europe

• Purpose: Support collaborative research and innovation in Europe
• Funding: Varies by project and scope
• Eligibility: Open to UK and EU organisations, including businesses and academia

EUREKA Eurostars

• Purpose: Support international R&D collaboration led by innovative SMEs
• Funding: Varies by country
• Eligibility: Consortia with at least two entities from Eurostars countries

European Innovation Council (EIC) opportunities

• Purpose: Support breakthrough innovations with high growth potential
• Funding: Grants up to €2.5 million. Equity up to €15 million
• Eligibility: Open to SMEs, start-ups, and research teams in EU and associated countries

Read more about these, and other international programmes for R&D and innovation.