Funding
IUK Smart Grants (paused)
Innovate UK / UKRI
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovations that can significantly impact the UK economy.
IUK Smart Grants are currently under review and a new pilot is expected at the end of the 2026 financial year.
What is this programme about?
Innovate UK Smart grants are part of Innovate UK’s diverse business and innovation support ecosystem. They are designed to propel high-impact innovations from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and their collaboration partners, into the marketplace.
Who can apply for an IUK Smart Grant?
SMEs and large companies can apply for Smart grant funding as the lead applicant, or collaborate with a business of any size, academic institution, charity, not for-profit, public-sector organisation or research and technology organisation. Funding rates vary from 50-100% depending on size and type of organisation. Apply if you’re looking for grant funding for an R&D project that is ready to make a market impact and offers new solutions that could significantly alter industry landscapes.
Key Facts
Who can apply
UK-based businesses (micro, small, medium and large).
Partners can be UK-based businesses of any size, academic institutions, charities, not for-profits, public-sector organisations or research and technology organisations.
Funding calls
Innovate UK Smart runs every quarter over the year. It has regular and (mostly) predictable deadlines.
Purpose
To propel high-impact innovations into the marketplace.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
TRL4 – TRL7
Funding Amount
£100k – £1 million
Funding Rate
50% – 100%
(depending on size of organisation)
Timeframe
6-8 weeks
Process
Single or multi-stage application
What are the key topics or sectors covered?
Smart grants are ‘Open’ calls that look to find the best ideas from businesses in any sector and on any topic that fits Innovate UK’s strategic priorities. Projects should be forward-thinking and shape future market landscapes, filling existing gaps and leaping forward. Innovate UK Smart grants support high-growth potential businesses and place an emphasis on inclusive growth.
Useful Resources
We have collated some useful resources if you are considering applying for an Innovate UK smart grant:
