Innovate UK Announces £3 Million Funding For International Collaborative Projects

Insider Brief

• Innovate UK launched a new up to £3 million funding initiative to support collaborative research and innovation projects.
• The initiative is part of the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
• This particular competition seeks to enhance cooperative efforts primarily between UK entities and organizations within the European Union.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has launched a new funding initiative, committing up to £3 million to support collaborative research and innovation projects. This initiative is part of the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The ISPF, with a substantial funding pool of £337 million, aims to foster international collaboration between UK researchers and innovators and their counterparts globally, focusing on critical themes such as planet, health, technology, and talent.

This particular competition seeks to enhance cooperative efforts primarily between UK entities and organizations within the European Union. The objective is to accelerate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies, addressing both technological and market barriers to ensure successful adoption both in the UK and internationally.

Eligibility for this funding requires UK registered businesses to partner with at least one non-linked organization registered in a European Union Member State. Participants are also encouraged to include partners from other countries in their projects. However, it is crucial to note that international partners will not receive funding from Innovate UK.

Applicants must submit their proposals through the Innovation Funding Service (IFS) portal. The competition is structured as a competitive process with a capped funding limit, meaning not all projects may receive support even if they are highly rated.

The maximum grant request for UK partners is set at £600,000 per project. Innovate UK emphasizes its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, encouraging applications from all backgrounds. The agency has provisions for making reasonable adjustments to assist applicants with disabilities or long-term conditions.

Interested parties should contact Innovate UK well in advance of the competition’s deadline to arrange necessary support. The funding body has advised potential applicants to reach out at least 15 working days before the competition closes to ensure adequate assistance can be provided. Innovate UK is accessible via email or by phone at 0300 321 4357, with phone lines open weekdays from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm UK time.

This competition will close at 11am UK time on the announced deadline date, and applicants are urged to verify details as external websites may not display accurate competition information.

Learn more here.