UK R&D Grants

There are currently several UK funding schemes that can help to finance your R&D and innovation activities. PNO has an excellent track record in helping organisations successfully apply for these R&D grants, with a success rate 5 times higher than the national average. The programmes listed are by no means fully comprehensive, so for further information regarding the types of scheme available specifically for you, please contact our consultancy team. Further information regarding available calls can also be found using PNO’s innovation platform, Innovation Place.

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £12.5 million for precision breeding projects in arable and horticultural crops. This funding is part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme.

Competition closes: 25 June 2025, 11:00 am
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £12.5 million for projects on innovative solutions to
achieve low-emission farming practices. This funding is part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme.

Competition closes: 25 June 2025, 11:00 am
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £5 million from the UKRI Technology Missions Fund in feasibility projects. These feasibility studies will investigate ways to improve semiconductor design and manufacture within the UK to support critical technologies.

DATES:
Competition closes: 29th May 2025, 11:00 am.
Applicants notified: 30th June 2025.
Innovate UK and the Department for Transport (DfT) are collaborating with the rail industry to accelerate and increase the adoption of innovation to improve UK railways. Organisations can apply for a share of up to £4.7 million, across four themes to develop a prototype, conduct field testing and demonstrate their solution.

Competition closes: Wednesday 28 May 2025 11:00am
UK registered micro, small and medium enterprises in the creative sector can apply for a share of up to £8 million for innovation projects to grow their business. This funding is from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

Dates:
Competition opens: Monday 31 March 2025
Competition closes: Thursday 29 May 2025 11:00am
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £1.8 million to target the growth of the cyber security sector and the development of cyber security skills. This funding is from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Expression of Interest: before midnight, 14 March 2025
Competition opens: 17 March 2025
Competition closes: 30 April 2025, 11:00am

UKRI has announced a £9 million Proof of Concept (PoC) Fund to help bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world impact. This funding opportunity aims to de-risk the commercialisation of research by enabling spinouts, social ventures, licencing or other commercialisation pathways. Applications are welcomed from any disciplines and applicants must be based at a UK research organisation.

Competition closes: 29 May 2025, 4pm UK time
Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF)’s are personal awards to support fellows to develop as impactful and influential research or innovation leaders.

Academic funding opportunity closing date: 18 June 2025, 4:00 pm
Non-academic funding opportunity closing date: 5 November 2025, 11:00 am