Deadline Date: March 18, 2026
The Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is investing in innovation projects to strengthen access to entry-level roles in frontier technology sectors across the UK.
The focus areas of this competition include resolving barriers for tech talent to access entry-level roles, supporting collaborative innovation projects under the TechFirst programme, developing impactful local initiatives that bridge the gap between training and employment, enabling local talent into entry-level tech jobs in frontier technology sectors, helping SMEs adopt frontier technologies through skilled workforces, aligning with national and local economic growth plans and skills strategies, contributing to the TechLocal target of 1,000 new tech jobs, and delivering projects that demonstrate impact in specified geographic areas across the UK.
Innovate UK will invest up to £7.6 million in innovation projects, subject to the availability of a sufficient number of high-quality applications. The funding supports collaborative projects designed to address local needs or leverage local strengths while enabling tech talent to secure entry-level employment opportunities in frontier technology sectors.
Projects must demonstrate clear impact by enabling local talent into entry-level tech jobs and supporting SMEs in adopting frontier technologies through access to skilled workforces. Proposals are expected to align with national and local economic growth plans and skills strategies, including those related to employment support, skills development, and regional growth initiatives.
The total eligible grant funding for each project must range between £100,000 and £225,000, with project durations lasting between six and nine months. All funded organisations must carry out project activities in the UK and intend to exploit project results from or within the UK. Projects must start on the first day of a month after the Grant Offer Letter has been approved by Innovate UK, and only eligible project costs may be included in the application.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.
