Innovate UK grants
Competitive grants from the UK's innovation agency that pay part of the cost of innovation projects. You do not pay them back, but you must fund the rest of the project yourself.
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How it works
Innovate UK runs funding competitions through the Innovation Funding Service. Each competition has its own scope, deadlines, project sizes and eligibility rules.
Grants pay a share of your eligible project costs. The share depends on the type of project and the size of your organisation:
| Project type | Micro or small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feasibility studies and industrial research | up to 70% | up to 60% | up to 50% |
| Experimental development (closer to market) | up to 45% | up to 35% | up to 25% |
You find the rest of the money yourself. Projects are usually led by businesses, and other organisations such as universities can take part as partners.
Upsides and downsides
Upsides
- Money you do not pay back, and no shares given up
- Can fund high-risk projects that lenders and investors avoid
- Winning a grant can add credibility with investors
Downsides
- Highly competitive, with no guarantee of success
- You must fund the rest of the project yourself
- Each competition has deadlines and its own scope, so timing may not fit your plans
- Reporting duties during the project
Risks
- Spending time and money on applications that do not succeed
- Committing to co-funding you then struggle to find
What it costs
- How it is priced
- A grant towards eligible project costs. Nothing to repay
- Costs that are easy to miss
- You must pay the share of project costs the grant does not cover
- Time spent writing a competitive application, often with no guarantee of success
- Reporting and record-keeping once the grant is awarded
Set by each competition. For example, one 2025–26 competition allowed project costs from £50,000 to £2 million depending on project type.
Does it fit?
Could fit when
- You have an innovative project that matches an open competition
- You can fund your share of the project costs
Unlikely to fit when
- You need money quickly
- Your project is routine development rather than innovation
Who can use it
- Business types: Private limited company, LLP, Public limited company, Community interest company, Co-operative or community benefit society
- Open to businesses with no sales yet
- Each competition sets its own rules. Many require a UK-registered business that carries out the project in the UK
- Projects are usually led by a business
- Support must be consistent with the Subsidy Control Act 2022
Am I ready?
What a provider is likely to ask for. Tick what you have. Your ticks stay in this browser and nothing is stored. Checklist for all grants, tax reliefs and prizes
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- Project plan
- Detailed project costs
- Match funding in place
Regulation and protections
Public grant funding from Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation), awarded under the grant's terms and conditions.
Types of provider: Innovate UK (UK Research and Innovation).
Also consider
Sources
- UKRI: Innovate UK funding rules · checked 7 October 2026
- Innovation Funding Service: Innovate UK Growth Catalyst – Investor Partnerships Round 2 (example competition) · checked 7 October 2026