A Guide for Innovation-led businesses and Research Teams
Originally developed by NASA, TRLs have become a universal benchmark for assessing a project’s maturity; nowadays they are used in the eligibility and scope sections of grant applications to ensure applicants are a suitable fit.
For businesses, SMEs, and research institutions seeking funding through Horizon Europe, Innovate UK, the European Innovation Council (EIC), and other programmes, knowing how to position your technology at the right TRL can be the difference between securing funding and missing out.
This guide explores how TRLs apply to UK and EU grant funding, common challenges, and best practices for aligning your project with the right funding opportunities.
What Are Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)?
TRLs define the maturity of a technology, from initial research to full commercial deployment. They provide funding bodies with a structured way to assess the feasibility and scalability of an innovation.
The TRL Scale Explained
How TRLs Impact UK and EU Grant Funding
1. Early-Stage R&D Funding (TRL 1-4)
For projects at TRL 1-4, funding typically supports fundamental research, feasibility studies, and prototype development.
Key UK Grants:
- Growth Catalyst Early Stage – UK micro and small businesses can apply to develop affordable, adoptable and investable innovations in the five critical technologies.
- NIHR i4i (UK Health Research Funding) – Early-stage medical technology research
Key EU Grants:
- Eureka Eurostars – SME-led innovation projects
- European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder – Supporting breakthrough technologies moving towards TRL 4 by end of project
💡 Tip: Early-stage projects must demonstrate strong scientific foundations and a clear route to validation to secure funding.
2. Prototype & Demonstration Funding (TRL 5-6)
At TRL 5-6, funding focuses on scaling up prototypes and validating them in relevant environments.
Key UK Grants:
- Innovate UK Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) – Supporting industry-led technology validation
Key EU Grants:
- Horizon Europe Pillar II (Global Challenges & Industrial Competitiveness) – Funding for collaborative R&D in energy, health, AI, and more
💡 Tip: A well-defined testing plan and partnerships with end-users can strengthen your proposal at this stage.
3. Commercialisation & Scale-Up Funding (TRL 7-9)
For projects at TRL 7-9, funding helps with pilot projects, regulatory approvals, and market deployment.
Key UK Grants:
- Innovate UK Investor Partnerships – Connecting SMEs with private investment
- UKRI Commercialisation Programmes – Support for scaling innovations in the UK market
Key EU Grants:
- Horizon Europe EIC Accelerator – the grant takes projects to TRL 8 and the further equity can be used to bring it to TRL 9
- EU Innovation Fund – Supporting large-scale commercialisation in sustainability and clean energy
💡 Tip: At this stage, funding applications require strong commercial traction, scalability plans, and investor interest.
Conclusion
Understanding and leveraging TRL levels is essential for securing, finding and matching your projects to grant funding programmes. EU. Whether applying for early-stage feasibility funding or late-stage commercialisation support, aligning your TRL with the right funding scheme significantly increases your chances of success.
If you need expert support in positioning your grant applications, reach out today to explore how to maximise your funding potential.
FAQs
What happens if my project spans multiple TRLs?
Many projects progress through multiple TRLs, so it’s crucial to show a clear development roadmap and justify why funding is needed.
Are TRLs equally important in all funding applications?
The vast majority of them, yes. Especially for programmes like Horizon Europe and Innovate UK, where TRLs help evaluators assess technology feasibility and impact.
Can private investors consider TRLs when funding startups?
Absolutely! Many investors use TRLs to evaluate risk levels and commercial viability before investing.
How do I determine my TRL?
Conduct a technology assessment based on experimental data, prototypes, and operational testing or speak to an expert to give you some insights.
Are TRLs used in all sectors?
While common in engineering, health tech, and clean energy, some fields (e.g., social sciences) may use alternative readiness frameworks. On the business side, for example, a widely used framework is Commercial Readiness Level, which identifies how close your business is to successful market entry.
Oliver Cressall
I help businesses unlock grant funding to fuel groundbreaking research and innovation. With expertise in both UK and European grants including Innovate UK (IUK), Eureka, Horizon Europe, UKRI, CINEA, and the European Research Council – I specialise in guiding research teams and innovation-led businesses through every stage of the grant process.
Get in touch
