GrantEquity-free United Kingdom
Innovate UK Smart Grants
Innovate UK / UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Apply / official page ↗Typical funding
Common project awards range from around £100k to £2M, often covering a major portion of project costs.
Maximum
Guides mention up to about £2M per project within Smart Grants calls.
Startup stage
Innovative SMEs and consortia with defined R&D projects and clear commercialization pathways.
Sector focus
Sector‑agnostic, including AI, deep tech, Web3, clean tech, creative industries and more.
Overview
Flagship UK grant programme for game‑changing, commercially focused R&D projects across all sectors and technologies.
Who's eligible
UK‑registered companies, project led by at least one SME, globally novel innovation, clear market need and robust commercialization plan.
How to apply
Register and apply via the Innovation Funding Service, responding to Smart Grants competition briefs and providing detailed project and market information.
Good to know
From 2025 Smart Grants are being reshaped via pilots, but the programme continues as the main route for broad innovation funding.