Open Call: Battery Innovation Feasibility Studies Round 1 (UK)

The aim of this competition is to accelerate the development and commercialisation of state of the art battery technologies in the UK, support the growth of the UK battery supply chain and related companies, enhance the UK’s competitiveness in the global battery market, and demonstrate how battery technologies can meet specific application requirements and drive electrification across diverse sectors. Projects must demonstrate how they address market demand for the specific sector and application, explain how their innovation tackles industry challenges and removes key hurdles, and show how it will enhance UK competitiveness across the battery value chain. Proposed solutions can address the entire battery value chain and must consider the financial implications, sustainability targets, environmental impact and regulatory policies, focusing on raw materials, advanced cell materials, cell design and components, process and manufacturing tools, quality control and diagnostics, and testing, simulation and digital tools. The technology must address at least one of the following requirements in the target application: reduce cost, taking into consideration total cost of ownership and the respective supply chain; increase performance parameters; increase safety; increase predictability; reduce environmental impact; and support regulations and standards for the target market. The competition particularly encourages projects supporting UK equipment manufacturing and process capability for cell and battery production, UK battery reuse, recovery and recycling, and UK battery sector with localised battery supply chain and industrial resilience.

Innovate UK is delivering this competition under the Department for Business and Trade’s Battery Innovation Programme. The initiative will invest up to £20 million to empower innovation development, strengthen local supply chains, encourage new entrants into the battery industry, and drive UK business growth for global competitiveness. The competition operates under two strands, with this round specifically targeting feasibility studies. Eligible projects must request grant funding between £70,000 and £500,000, run for six to eighteen months, and start no earlier than April 2026.

To be eligible, the lead organisation must be a UK-registered business of any size, collaborating with at least one UK-registered micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise. Projects can include collaborations with academic institutions, research organisations, charities, not-for-profits, or public sector bodies, provided that no single partner accounts for more than 70% of total eligible costs. Subcontractors from within or outside the UK may be included with adequate justification, and non-funded partners may also participate.

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant, with micro and small organisations eligible for up to 70% of eligible costs, medium-sized organisations for up to 60%, and large organisations for up to 50%. Research organisations undertaking non-economic activity can share up to 50% of total project costs, receiving 100% of costs if they are not-for-profit or public organisations and 80% of full economic costs if they are Je-S registered institutions.

Projects are encouraged to trial advanced and novel battery technologies, adapt existing materials or processes for battery applications, and explore scientific advances focusing on commercialisation. They may target sectors including automotive, aerospace, battery energy storage, rail, maritime, and personal mobility, and must demonstrate clear understanding of market demand across the UK, Europe, and globally.

Innovate UK follows a portfolio approach, funding a range of technologies and markets to support the UK’s industrial strategy. However, the competition will not fund projects focused on supercapacitors, lead-acid or nickel-metal hydride batteries, non-rechargeable batteries, purely academic research, non-collaborative work, or projects focused primarily on capital equipment procurement or physical system integration.

For more information, visit GOV.UK.