Deadline Date: August 11, 2026
The Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is offering up to £10 million in grant funding to support UK registered businesses developing early stage Createch innovations aligned with Industrial Strategy Frontier industries through the Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1 competition.
The key focus areas of this competition are early stage innovation at the intersection of high growth potential Createch and Industrial Strategy Frontier industries, developing innovations beyond proof of concept, reducing future investment risks, and supporting long term sector growth.
The Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1 competition aims to fund projects that advance innovative ideas and help businesses develop solutions with strong commercial potential. The funding is designed to support industrial research activities that move innovations beyond the proof of concept stage.
Successful applicants can receive grant funding from a total investment pot of up to £10 million, subject to receiving a sufficient number of high quality applications. The competition is competitive, and funding will be awarded based on the quality of applications and assessment criteria.
Eligible projects must have total costs between £100,000 and £500,000, run for 9 to 12 months, start by 1 January 2027, and finish by 31 December 2027. Projects must begin only after approval of the Grant Offer Letter by Innovate UK.
The lead applicant must be a UK registered micro, small, or medium sized enterprise (SME). SMEs can apply individually or lead collaborative projects. Academic institutions and research and technology organisations cannot lead applications or apply alone under this competition.
Collaborative projects can include UK registered businesses, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profit organisations, public sector organisations, and research and technology organisations as partners. The lead organisation and at least one other organisation must apply for funding, provide a clear collaboration structure, and ensure that no single partner accounts for more than 70% of eligible project costs.
Projects may include non-funded partners from the UK, EU, or other countries, with their costs covered through their own resources. Subcontractors are also allowed, but subcontractor costs must not exceed 50% of total project costs.
A business can lead only one application but may participate as a collaborator in additional applications. Other eligible organisations, including academic institutions, research and technology organisations, charities, not-for-profits, and public sector organisations, can collaborate on multiple applications within the competition limits.
Innovate UK encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and is committed to making the application process accessible, including providing reasonable adjustments for applicants facing barriers due to disability or long-term conditions.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.
