We've had an excellent experience collaborating with FI Group. Their team of consultants demonstrated proficiency in evaluating and comprehending our innovative wave energy technology, leading to a comprehensive technical report that played a significant role in securing our R&D tax credit repayment.
AUKUS Grant Support for UK Companies
AUKUS Grant Support for UK Companies – Expert Guidance to Unlock Defence Innovation Funding
Tap into trilateral defence innovation funding through AUKUS Pillar II. This unique initiative from the UK, US, and Australia is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of interoperable defence technologies across strategic domains. With FI Group’s deep expertise in grants and cross-border delivery, UK companies can navigate the complexity of AUKUS funding confidently and competitively, from proposal to prototype.
What is AUKUS Innovation Funding?
AUKUS Innovation Grants are competitive funding opportunities launched under Pillar II of the AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These grants support advanced defence technologies that can be shared and deployed across the three nations, focusing on areas such as undersea systems, autonomy, AI, cyber, and electronic warfare.
Funding is delivered through national agencies including:
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Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) in the UK
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Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in the US
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Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) in Australia
The programme is designed to accelerate technology readiness, encourage trilateral collaboration, and ensure shared interoperability between allied forces.
What AUKUS Grants Are Available?
Recent AUKUS challenges include:
| Challenge | Focus Area | Funding Available | Project Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maritime Innovation Challenge 2025 | Undersea autonomy and comms | Up to US$8 million shared across winners | ~12 months |
| Electronic Warfare Tech | Sensor fusion and resilience | £2 million awarded to UK firms in 2024 | ~9–12 months |
New competitions are expected annually, with alternating thematic focus. Funding levels vary by scope but typically support 3–10 winning proposals per call.
Can UK Companies Apply for AUKUS Grants?
Yes. UK businesses and research organisations are fully eligible to apply for AUKUS Pillar II grants. The process typically includes two stages:
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Stage 1: Open to international applicants. Submit a short concept note and outline costs.
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Stage 2: Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. UK companies may lead or participate at this stage.
Applicants must be:
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A registered UK legal entity (e.g. SME, university, defence supplier)
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Working on a project aligned with the scope of the current call
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Able to deliver a functional prototype demonstration within the project timeframe
Can UK Companies Apply for AUKUS Grants?
Yes. UK businesses and research organisations are fully eligible to apply for AUKUS Pillar II grants. The process typically includes two stages:
-
Stage 1: Open to international applicants. Submit a short concept note and outline costs.
-
Stage 2: Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. UK companies may lead or participate at this stage.
Applicants must be:
-
A registered UK legal entity (e.g. SME, university, defence supplier)
-
Working on a project aligned with the scope of the current call
-
Able to deliver a functional prototype demonstration within the project timeframe
Types of Projects Funded
AUKUS grants focus on applied technologies at TRL 6 or above, with an emphasis on operational readiness and multinational integration. Funded activities may include:
| Project Category | Purpose | Example Technologies |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype Development | Developing working models of new defence technologies suitable for field testing. | Autonomous undersea vehicles, AI-based surveillance drones. |
| Interoperability Trials | Testing system compatibility across UK, US, and Australian platforms. | Joint signal processing tools, EM spectrum management systems. |
| System-Level Design and Integration | Designing and validating complete operational systems or sub-systems. | Integrated EW platforms, real-time situational awareness dashboards. |
| Secure Communications and Command Systems | Building secure and scalable communication systems for mission-critical operations. | Quantum-secure communications, underwater RF mesh networks. |
| Demonstration in Multinational Exercises | Proving concepts and performance during real-world trilateral military exercises. | Prototype trials in allied naval deployments or electronic warfare drills. |
Application Process
AUKUS Grants
AUKUS innovation challenges follow a competitive two-stage process, designed to surface high-impact technologies that can be rapidly deployed across the defence ecosystems of the UK, US, and Australia. Each stage tests a different aspect of project readiness, from technical feasibility to strategic alignment and delivery assurance.
How FI Group Supports AUKUS Grant Success
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Strategic Alignment: We shape your bid to meet AUKUS priorities, showcasing operational value, dual-use potential, and national relevance.
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Defence-Sector Expertise: Our PhD-level consultants combine technical insight with delivery planning and security-aligned evaluation strategy.
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International reach: With offices across Europe, we support collaboration with US, Australian, and allied innovation partners where required.
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End-to-End Support: From bid writing to post-award reporting and demonstration delivery, we manage every stage of the process.
“AUKUS innovation is judged on operational value. We help clients deliver proposals and partnerships that stand up to real-world defence demands.”
— Fawzi Abou-Chahine, Funding Director, FI Group UK
How FI Group Supports AUKUS Grant Success
-
Strategic Alignment: We shape your bid to meet AUKUS priorities, showcasing operational value, dual-use potential, and national relevance.
-
Defence-Sector Expertise: Our PhD-level consultants combine technical insight with delivery planning and security-aligned evaluation strategy.
-
International reach: With offices across Europe, we support collaboration with US, Australian, and allied innovation partners where required.
-
End-to-End Support: From bid writing to post-award reporting and demonstration delivery, we manage every stage of the process.
“AUKUS innovation is judged on operational value. We help clients deliver proposals and partnerships that stand up to real-world defence demands.”
— Fawzi Abou-Chahine, Funding Director, FI Group UK
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
AUKUS innovation grants
Understanding how AUKUS innovation grants work is essential before preparing a bid. Below, we answer the most common questions UK organisations ask, from eligibility and TRL levels to funding strategy and post-award requirements. These insights reflect FI Group’s hands-on experience supporting defence innovators across the UK, US, and Europe.
Book A MeetingWith A PhD Expert
Spotlight on Success: Stablepharma Secures €2.5M Through the EIC Accelerator
In early 2025, Stablepharma Ltd was awarded €2.5 million in grant funding through the EIC Accelerator to advance its StablevaX™ technology, an innovation set to transform vaccine distribution by removing the need for cold‑chain logistics.
FI Group UK played a pivotal role in reviewing and strengthening the company’s final submission. Working closely with Stablepharma’s executive team, FI Group helped refine the technical narrative, align financials with key clinical milestones, and enhance the overall credibility and clarity of the application. The award made Stablepharma one of just five UK companies selected in a highly competitive round of over 1,200 applicants.
This success highlights how expert grant consultancy can significantly improve outcomes for high-potential applicants seeking funding under Horizon Europe’s most competitive instruments.
Spotlight on Success: Stablepharma Secures €2.5M Through the EIC Accelerator
In early 2025, Stablepharma Ltd was awarded €2.5 million in grant funding through the EIC Accelerator to advance its StablevaX™ technology, an innovation set to transform vaccine distribution by removing the need for cold‑chain logistics.
FI Group UK played a pivotal role in reviewing and strengthening the company’s final submission. Working closely with Stablepharma’s executive team, FI Group helped refine the technical narrative, align financials with key clinical milestones, and enhance the overall credibility and clarity of the application. The award made Stablepharma one of just five UK companies selected in a highly competitive round of over 1,200 applicants.
This success highlights how expert grant consultancy can significantly improve outcomes for high-potential applicants seeking funding under Horizon Europe’s most competitive instruments.
What Our Clients Say
Leading innovators across the UK, from deep-tech start-ups to large research-driven corporates, trust FI Group to guide their most strategic grant bids. Our tailored support has helped secure multi-million euro awards through Horizon Europe, the EIC Accelerator, and Innovate UK. Clients return to us year after year for our end-to-end delivery, strategic insight, and deep evaluator understanding.
The smoothest way to work on R&D Tax Credit – not only are they experts of the subject but also sectors specialists; FI Group could get all the technical elements of our business by themselves leading to a successful and remarkable result.
Giuseppe Amoroso from FI group did our R&D tax claim and successfully submitted on our behalf of OxDevice. Excellent team work in Submitting the claim.
Speak to an AUKUS Funding ExpertBook A Meeting
FI Group supports UK organisations applying to competitive AUKUS grants, from undersea innovation to autonomous systems and electronic warfare. If your project is defence-relevant and technically mature, we can help you compete with confidence.
