Working in partnership with Green Future Investments Limited (GFIL), Cranfield University is proud to deliver financial, technical and business support to innovators and entrepreneurs.

The GFIL Fund provides a range of grant and investment funding to innovators that are developing solutions to global environmental challenges. In addition to this funding Cranfield will also provide innovators with a range of technical and business support including mentoring, technical assistance from academics and technician staff, business coaching, and providing access to their laboratory and near industrial-scale test facilities.
Innovators and entrepreneurs can now apply for three funding streams to scale up ideas which will help address the challenges related to tackling climate change, protecting our environment and delivering a Net Zero future. Eligible applicants for the funds include SMEs, start-ups, spinouts, individuals, and students. No match funding is required.
- The Future Frontiers Fund (FFF) supports the generation of fresh and highly novel ideas, technologies, products and services. They are looking for truly innovative leaps and will provide support through small grants of approximately £10,000 to test ‘might work’ concepts along with technical mentoring support. Applications close January 19 2023.
- The Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF) is providing six awards in the region of £50,000 to innovators with technologies currently at TRL 4-5 to take ideas or technology to prototype and beyond. Applications close January 19 2023.
- The Ready for Net Zero Growth programme Green Scholarships provide green businesses with a fully-funded scholarship to focus on embedding the business’ Net Zero ambitions within their growth plan. Applications close January 20 2023.
The GFIL Fund supports an innovation funnel, covering all TRLs – ideas and research, development, deployment, and commercialisation. As applicants develop their ideas through the TRLs they can apply for other funds within the GFIL Fund portfolio. This means that a student could win a Student Entrepreneurship Prize, and then apply for funding from the Future Frontiers Fund, the Accelerator Fund, and the Green Future Entrepreneurship Fund as they develop their idea.