Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing up to £10 million to fund single and collaborative research and development projects as part of the Sustainable Innovation Fund. The aim of this competition is to help all sectors of the UK rebuild after the effects of COVID-19. All projects must be led by a business and include at least one SME. Proposals can either be from a single business or a collaboration. This competition is round 3 of 3 and the deadline to apply is 30 September. The information provided by Innovate UK is as follows:
Your proposal must show evidence of key challenges as a direct consequence of COVID-19, including the sudden shortage or availability of finance, and how your project can help solve them. In addition, your proposal must consider its impact on climate change and/or environmental sustainability. We would also like you to address where necessary equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to your project, the partner organisations and your approach to innovation. We are looking to fund a portfolio of projects, across a variety of technologies, markets, regions, technological maturities and research categories, including the themes listed below.
Specific themes
Your project can also focus on:
- decarbonisation, circular economy and/or biodiversity
- climate change and environmental sustainability
- geographic or regionally targeted innovation
- innovation that is aimed at commercial or residential users
- innovations that work across more than one sector
- follow-on international opportunities that help the UK lead the world
Research categories
We will fund feasibility studies, industrial research projects and experimental development projects, as defined in the general guidance.
Projects we will not fund
We are not funding projects that:
- are not related to an impact on a business due to COVID-19 disruption
- have a negative impact on the environment and/or society
- have a detrimental effect on equality, diversity and inclusion
- would duplicate other UK government activities or EU-funded initiatives already underway, such as the testing or manufacture of vaccines and ventilators
- do not involve any research and development or innovation, for example the creation of information-only websites
