Sectors
Clean Energy & Renewables
Clean energy innovators and researchers can access millions in non-dilutive R&D funding to accelerate their technologies and capture market share in the ‘green’ economy.
From renewable power generation and energy storage to smart grid solutions and energy communities, we understand the opportunities and challenges shaping this fast-moving sector.
Grant funding for Clean Energy & Renewables
We’ve secured significant funding for companies developing cleantech solutions – helping to commercialise breakthrough innovations and contribute to a sustainable, secure energy future.
Benefits of grant funding for cleantech:
- Accelerate R&D without giving away equity: Grant funding does not have to be repaid (like a loan) and grant funders do not require equity (like investors).
- Support commercialisation of breakthrough technologies: This is a key focus for grant funding bodies, helping innovators bring impactful technologies to market.
- Access collaborative innovation networks across the UK, EU, and beyond: Unlocking collaborative R&D projects with global partners.
- De-risk development of high-risk clean energy projects: Funding for the high-risk stage of technology development and testing.
- Demonstrate alignment with national and international climate priorities: Grant funding is effectively external validation from government bodies.
- Increase investor confidence through validated, grant-funded projects: Demonstrate innovation and ability to secure funding to persuade investors.
Funding in the UK
The UK Government has committed billions to clean energy innovation through initiatives such as the Net Zero Strategy and the Energy Security Plan. Funding streams like the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio and Innovate UK’s Energy Catalyst (launched in 2014) competitions target emerging renewable, hydrogen, and storage technologies – all vital to meeting the UK’s legally binding 2050 net zero goal.
Funding in the EU
The EU’s Green Deal Industrial Plan and Horizon Europe’s Climate, Energy & Mobility cluster allocate billions to clean energy R&I, supporting projects in offshore wind, green hydrogen, and advanced energy systems. Programmes like EIC Accelerator and EUREKA Network Projects provide additional opportunities for high-potential clean energy SMEs.
Success Stories
Clean Energy & Renewables themes for grant funding
These are the most prominent themes for UK and European R&D grant funding within the clean energy sector:
- Offshore and floating wind systems
- Next-generation solar PV and perovskite technologies
- Green hydrogen production, storage, and transport
- Long-duration energy storage solutions
- AI and IoT-enabled smart grids
- Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS)
- Renewable-powered industrial heat and processes
- Energy efficiency in buildings and industry
Clean Energy & Renewables funding programmes and funders
Clean energy innovators and researchers can access a broad range of public funding opportunities designed to support innovation from early-stage feasibility to large-scale deployment.
Key programmes include:
| Programme | Funder | Grant value | Stage | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK funding | ||||
| Energy Catalyst | Innovate UK | Varies by round | Feasibility to demonstration | UK-led consortia |
| Innovation Loans | Innovate UK | Up to £5m | Late-stage, pre-market | UK SMEs |
| Growth Catalyst | Innovate UK | Up to £2m grant + equity | Scale-up | UK SMEs with investor backing |
| Energy Entrepreneurs Fund | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) | Varies by round | Development to demonstration | UK SMEs |
| Net Zero Innovation Portfolio | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) | Varies by competition | Development to demonstration | UK businesses and consortia |
| European funding | ||||
| Pillar II Cluster 5: Climate, Energy & Mobility collaborative calls | Horizon Europe | Varies, often multi-million | Collaborative R&D | Consortia, incl. UK |
| EIC Pathfinder | European Innovation Council | Up to €4m | Early-stage research (TRL 1–4) | Consortia, incl. UK |
| EIC Transition | European Innovation Council | Up to €2.5m + €50k booster grants | Validation (TRL 4–6) | Single applicants or consortia, incl. UK |
| EIC Accelerator | European Innovation Council | €500k–€2.5m grant + up to €10m equity | Scale-up | SMEs (UK: grant only) |
| Eurostars | EUREKA | Varies by country | Collaborative R&D | SMEs in an international consortium |
| Innowwide market feasibility | EUREKA | €60k | Market feasibility | Single applicant with international subcontractors |
| EUREKA Network Projects | EUREKA | Up to €2m per project | Collaborative R&D | Businesses in an international consortium |
| Globalstars | EUREKA | Up to €1.5m per project | Collaborative R&D | SMEs partnering with a non-European country |
| LIFE Clean Energy Transition subprogramme | CINEA | Varies by call | Market uptake and capacity building | EU-based organisations |
| International funding | ||||
| Mission Innovation Challenges | Mission Innovation (member governments) | Varies by country | Collaborative R&D and demonstration | Via participating national programmes |
| Other funding options are also available. Grant values are indicative and vary by call. | ||||
Winning Grant Funding for Clean Energy & Renewables
“At Venturenomix, we have a strong track record in securing grant funding for clean energy innovators – having supported projects in green hydrogen, offshore wind, battery storage, and AI-powered energy systems. We understand the unique technical, regulatory, and commercial challenges in the sector, and we know how to align proposals with funder priorities to maximise success rates.“
Alex Chalkley
Clean Energy Sector Expert
Ready for the next steps?
Whether you’re at the proof-of-concept stage or preparing for large-scale commercial deployment, there are funding opportunities to match your needs.
Book a no-obligation online meeting to discuss your clean energy funding strategy.
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