IUK Thematic Grants

Innovate UK / UKRI

UK registered organisations can apply for project funding on a variety of different thematic topics, from sustainable energy to deep tech.

What is this programme about?

Apart from the ‘open’ IUK Smart grant programme, Innovate UK offer R&D project funding on a range of specific topics covering general business innovation, advanced manufacturing, building a green future, clean growth, decarbonisation, health, healthcare and cancer research, and deep tech including cyber-security, robotics and AI.

Who can apply for an IUK Thematic Grant?

Generally businesses of any size based in the UK, plus academic, research, and not for profit organisations. Each thematic grant call will have its own eligibility criteria, and by definition your project must align with the scope of the call. There is a ‘Scope’ tab provided with each published call for proposals (grant applications).

Key Facts

Who can apply

UK-based businesses (micro, small, medium and large), Universities and RTOs, Public Bodies, Charities. Single and collaborative.

Funding calls

Thematic R&D grants from Innovate UK are live all year round with a broad range of themes covered.

Purpose

R&D Project funding

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

TRL4 – TRL7

Funding Amount

£100k – £9 million

Funding Rate

50% – 100%

Timeframe

6-8 weeks

Process

Online application

What are the key topics or sectors covered?

The themes that Innovate UK are seeking to support will evolve, but given here are a few examples of Innovate UK Thematic Grants that have had multiple rounds – and therefore, it is likely there will be more:

Energy Catalyst
Biomedical Catalyst
Creative Industries
Professional and Financial Services
Quantum Computing
International Collaboration (Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, Israel and more)
Battery Technology
Transport and Mobility
Agritech
Low Carbon Foods and Supply Chains
Manufacturing
Robotics
Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Neural Networks, Big Data)
and more…

Useful Resources

We have collated some useful resources if you are considering applying for an Innovate UK thematic grant:

Innovate UK Overview

Thematic calls funding finder

IUK Strategic Priorities

Our R&D Grant Writing Services

We have been writing R&D grants since 2009 with a market-leading success rate. Working on a part up-front, part success-fee basis, we share both the risk and reward with our clients.

Our proven approach:

Lead the entire process

Defining the project, sourcing partners, developing a budget, writing the grant application, developing the work plan, creating appendices, managing partners, submitting the application online, managing compliance, organising the kick-off meeting, financial reporting, technical reporting and project management.

Work collaboratively

If you are lacking expertise in a specific area of the grant application process, we can fill that gap. Perhaps you have deep technical knowledge, but would like support on the market elements. You might have the technical and commercial aspects in hand, but would like support in creating the project budget and work packages. We are flexible.

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Grant funding is highly competitive. We can lead the process of improving past grant applications to get you over the line.

Expert Review

We spend a few days reviewing / commenting / editing your grant application to lift your score as high as possible.

Funding