Clean Energy R&D Projects Sought by Innovate UK Competition

Innovate UK has launched a competition to support small and medium-sized UK businesses developing clean energy and climate technologies. The initiative aims to assist companies with research and development activities, alongside helping them access aligned private investment for commercialisation.

The scheme offers grant funding for feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development. Projects must focus on innovations that contribute to reducing climate emissions across areas including power, heat, mobility, manufacturing, materials, agriculture and food systems. Funding will only be awarded to applicants who have secured investment led by an approved investor partner.

Feasibility projects must have total costs between £50,000 and £300,000. For industrial research, the range is £100,000 to £1 million, and for experimental development, it is £250,000 to £2 million. The level of required aligned investment varies by project type.

The competition is open to UK-registered SMEs applying as single organisations. Applicants must have been invited to apply by an investor from Innovate UK’s pool of selected partners, following submission of an expression of interest. Successful proposals must demonstrate a clear route to market, innovation potential and the capacity to form a delivery team.