UK Grant Competitions

UK Grant Competitions: Unlock Innovation Funding with FI Group

UK Grant Competitions are a crucial source of innovation funding for businesses looking to accelerate research, develop new technologies, and bring novel solutions to market. These competitive funding calls, often run by Innovate UK and other UK public sector bodies, provide businesses with a unique opportunity to access non-dilutive capital while validating their ideas and expanding R&D activities.

FI Group offers strategic support throughout the UK Grant Competition process from identifying the right competition to preparing compelling bids and ensuring compliant delivery. Our expertise spans sectors and technologies, enabling us to maximise your success rate in a highly competitive environment.

UK Grant Competitions are government-backed funding opportunities designed to encourage innovation by inviting businesses, academic institutions, and consortia to submit project proposals aligned with specific innovation themes or national priorities.

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Competitions

What Are the UK Grant Competitions?

Funding is typically provided through various channels, including Innovate UK open and thematic competitions, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) calls, Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) challenges, and regional innovation funding bodies. These competitions are time-limited and highly competitive, often requiring comprehensive technical, financial, and impact justifications as part of the application process.
Additional Information Form (AIF): Help Guide

Additional Information Form (AIF): Help Guide

A Guide to R&D Capital Allowances

A Guide to R&D Capital Allowances

Types of UK Grant Competitions

Open Competitions

These invite projects from any industry that demonstrate clear innovation and commercial potential. Innovate UK’s Smart Grants are a prominent example, supporting breakthrough technologies that are novel, scalable, and impactful.

Thematic Competitions

These target specific sectors or challenges such as:

  • Net zero and clean growth
  • Health and life sciences
  • Digital and AI transformation
  • Advanced manufacturing and engineering

Competitions may be tied to the UK Government’s Innovation Strategy, Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge, or sector-specific roadmaps.

Collaborative R&D Competitions

These encourage partnerships between businesses, universities, and research organisations. Projects benefit from shared knowledge, facilities, and greater access to funds. Many Horizon Europe-aligned UK competitions also follow this format.

Key Benefits of UK Grant Competitions

  • Access to significant non-dilutive funding
  • Public recognition and project credibility
  • Boost in investor interest and follow-on funding
  • Support for cutting-edge and early-stage R&D

Successful projects often receive funding covering 50–70% of eligible project costs, depending on company size and project nature.

International Grants Guide 2025: Navigate Public Funding Opportunities Across Europe, North & South America, and Asia
International Grants Guide 2025: Navigate Public Funding Opportunities Across Europe, North & South America, and Asia

The FI Group’s International Grants Guide 2025 is a comprehensive reference for businesses and institutions looking to leverage public funding opportunities worldwide. Covering over a dozen countries, the guide breaks down national and regional schemes that support R&D, innovation, energy efficiency, sustainability, and industrial transformation.

Download Your Free Copy

FI Group’s Support for UK Grant Competitions

Opportunity Identification

We continuously monitor the UK grant landscape to flag suitable competitions for your business. Our experts assess:

  • Eligibility against competition criteria
  • Strategic fit with your R&D roadmap
  • Potential return on investment

Bid Development

Our team works closely with your internal stakeholders to craft a winning proposal. This includes:

  • Refining the technical concept and innovation case
  • Articulating market potential and economic impact
  • Preparing detailed cost and resource plans
  • Aligning with scoring frameworks and funder expectations
  • We also work with an international bid writing team to see eligibility in other locations your business is present

Application Management

FI Group manages the end-to-end submission process, ensuring timely and compliant entry into each competition. We help:

  • Assemble required documentation and appendices
  • Build consortia if collaboration is required
  • Navigate submission portals and technical queries

Post-Award Support

If your application is successful, we offer guidance on:

  • Project initiation and funding drawdown
  • Quarterly reporting and milestone tracking
  • Compliance with grant conditions and audits

See more about our bid management services.

Why Choose FI Group?
Why Choose FI Group?
  • Dedicated UK grants team with specialist knowledge of Innovate UK and other funders
  • In-house technical and commercial experts with deep sector insight
  • 20+ years of funding experience, with offices across the UK and globally
  • Comprehensive approach from strategic scoping to post-award compliance

We bring together tax, grant, and R&D expertise under one roof — ensuring your grant strategy complements other funding like R&D Tax Relief.

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