Investor Partnerships – Battery Innovation Programme

UK registered SMEs can apply for grant funding alongside private investment from selected investor partners. Total funding: £5 million Minimum award: £35,000 Maximum award: £900,000 Location: National Who can apply: Private Sector Closing date: 2026-11-25 11:00 (UK time) Eligibility Your project The eligibility criteria will depend on your research category. For feasibility studies projects: - your total project costs must be between £50,000 and £300,000 - the project duration must be between 6 and 12 months For industrial research projects: - your total project costs must be between £100,000 and £1 million - the project duration must be between 6 and 24 months For experimental development projects: - your total project costs must be between £250,000 and £2 million - the project duration must between 12 and 24 months Projects must always start on the first of the month, even if this is a non-working day. You must not start your project until your Grant Offer Letter has been approved by Innovate UK. Any delays within Project Setup may mean we need to delay your project start date. You must only include eligible project costs in your application. See our overview of eligible project costs. Your organisation This competition is open to single applicants only. To apply your organisation must: - be a UK registered micro, small or medium sized business (SME) - carry out its project work in the UK - intend to exploit the results from or in the UK - be invited to apply by your investor partner - have discussed and agreed your proposal with your investor partner before submitting your application More information on the different types of organisation can be found in our Funding rules. Subcontractors Subcontractors are allowed in this competition. Subcontractors can be from anywhere in the UK and you must select them through your usual procurement process. You Summary Investor Partnerships Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has selected investor partners with aligned investment interests and capacity to lead investments. These investor partners have demonstrated that they have the credibility, capability, capacity and appetite to invest in innovative, technology-led businesses in areas that align with our strategic priority areas. The Investor Partnerships programme brings together: - Innovate UK’s expertise in identifying innovation and using grant funding to change the risk profile of businesses - investor partners aligned funding and expertise in identifying opportunities and teams that can best use extra investment finance The aim of this competition is to provide support for research and development and access to the capital investment you need to develop and commercialise your innovations. Battery Innovation Programme This competition is for SMEs that can demonstrate the potential to grow and scale and must also have a project that is aligned to the Battery Innovation Programme. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is delivering the Battery Innovation Programme on behalf of the Department for Business, I Objectives The aim of this competition is to provide you with support for research and development and access to the capital investment you need to develop and commercialise your innovations. Your proposal must have a clear route to market, a clear link to innovation and evidence that you can create a team to deliver your proposal. You must be: - registered in the UK as an SME by the time the award is contracted - able to complete the aligned investment led by the investor partner needed to qualify for the Dates 9 October 2026 Online briefing event: register to attend (Briefing slides will be available to download from Supporting Information after the event) 26 January 2027 Applicants notified 1 May 2027 Project start by How to apply You must read the guidance on applying for a competition on the Innovation Funding Service before you start. Before submitting, it is the lead applicant’s r