Grant Funding to Support SME Innovation
11 April 2022
Grant funding is available for SMEs looking to innovate, regardless of industry or stage of development. The following calls are aimed specifically at SMEs, inviting applications that will advance capability and expertise
NATEP helping SMEs innovate in aerospace: Spring 2022
Working in partnership with the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Innovate UK is looking to provide help for SMEs to develop innovative aerospace technologies. These technologies will enhance SME capability and increase the ability of the applicant to win new business.
Proposals must align with the UK’s aerospace technology strategy: Accelerating Ambition. Total project costs must be between £150,000 and £300,000 and projects must have a credible route to market. Applications must be submitted by 11am on 18 May, and more information can be found here.
Canada-UK Net Zero Value Chains – Transportation
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program and Innovate UK are investing £4m in innovation projects which will enable transition to net zero for the automotive, rail, or maritime transportation sectors. As part of this, the funding will foster and support collaborative research and development through Canadian and UK partnerships.
Whilst a UK business of any size can be involved, the Canadian partner must be an SME. The project must focus on innovations that enable transition to net zero transportation. Projects can focus on one or more of the following areas: low and zero emission propulsion, advanced sustainable materials and manufacturing, highly disruptive technologies, and/or assistive technologies and control systems.
Applications must be submitted by 5pm on 29 June and more information can be found here.
UK-South Korea Collaborative R&D
UK registered businesses, who are either an SME or intend to collaborate with an SME, can apply for a share on £2m to develop innovate proposals with South Korea. Projects must demonstrate a clear game changing or disruptive innovative idea. Consortiums must include at least one business registered in South Korea that is a separate, non-linked entity.
Projects should have a balanced contribution of the total eligible project costs among the partners from the participating countries. Applications must be submitted by 11am on 6 July, and more information can be found here.
APC 21: Developing automotive technologies and capability for net zero
UK businesses can apply for a share of £25m for late-stage R&D projects that help accelerate the UK towards a net-zero automotive future. Projects must either be led by or include an SME in the consortium, and total costs can range between £5m and £40m. Projects must advance technologies in one of several areas, including (but not limited to): batteries, electric machines, hydrogen storage and direct recycling methods.
Applications must be submitted by 11am on 18 May, and more information can be found here.