Overview
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a UK government funding body that offers various grant programs supporting research projects and business innovation across multiple sectors. While some funds like the £830 million Strategic Priorities Fund focus exclusively on pure research, UKRI also provides grant funding opportunities for businesses and startups operating in aligned industries through programs including SMART grants. UKRI serves as a primary source of research and innovation funding in Great Britain.
About
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) doesn’t simply offer businesses grant funding programs via SMART (see more on that above). Instead, UKRI also has a number of funds it uses to support projects in a number of areas.
Yet, some of these funds aren’t meant for businesses but only for pure research instead (e.g. the £830 million Strategic Priorities Fund for example).
Luckily, some of UKRI’s funds also welcome businesses and startups, as long as they operate in an industry which is in line with the fund’s mandate.
One of the largest fund is UKRI’s £6.6 billion Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund which is covering the 4 following themes of the UK government’s industrial strategy:
Clean growth
Ageing society
Future of mobility
Artificial intelligence and data economy
So if your startup is operating in one of these 4 verticals, you might be eligible for a grant. Within the same fund there are multiple types of grants which terms vary.
As such, you should look in their “funding finder” open database to see whether there is a grant open for applications that suits your business.
Is Your Startup Eligible?
There are dozens of innovation grants available at any time that fall into one of the 4 verticals mentioned above.
Each has its own eligibility criteria and funding terms (amount, use of funds, reporting requirements, etc.) so be sure to check on their open database each of the relevant grants that apply to your business before applying.
How Much Can You Actually Get?
As explained earlier, grants funding terms vary. Typically, the grants range anywhere from £20,000 to
£4,000,000 per project.
Yet, some of these funds aren’t meant for businesses but only for pure research instead (e.g. the £830 million Strategic Priorities Fund for example).
Luckily, some of UKRI’s funds also welcome businesses and startups, as long as they operate in an industry which is in line with the fund’s mandate.
One of the largest fund is UKRI’s £6.6 billion Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund which is covering the 4 following themes of the UK government’s industrial strategy:
Clean growth
Ageing society
Future of mobility
Artificial intelligence and data economy
So if your startup is operating in one of these 4 verticals, you might be eligible for a grant. Within the same fund there are multiple types of grants which terms vary.
As such, you should look in their “funding finder” open database to see whether there is a grant open for applications that suits your business.
Is Your Startup Eligible?
There are dozens of innovation grants available at any time that fall into one of the 4 verticals mentioned above.
Each has its own eligibility criteria and funding terms (amount, use of funds, reporting requirements, etc.) so be sure to check on their open database each of the relevant grants that apply to your business before applying.
How Much Can You Actually Get?
As explained earlier, grants funding terms vary. Typically, the grants range anywhere from £20,000 to
£4,000,000 per project.
Key Details
Type
Grant Program
Location
United Kingdom
Investment
$4,500,000
Funding Type
Grant
Stage
Grant
Contact
www.ukri.orgSee incorrect or outdated information?
