If you’re a UK-based business or research organisation, you may be able to compete for government-backed funding to:

  • research and develop a process, product or service
  • test your innovation ideas
  • collaborate with other organisations

To help you with the application process, Innovate UK have produced two new guides.

The first one is on what to do before you start your application. Whether you’ve invented a brand-new piece of technology, or a new type of service that’s going to take the UK by storm, building a strong business case, and an organised roadmap to achieving it, is what makes a project succeed.

The same is true in your application. It’s your chance to show the assessors you’ve done all the careful preparation and planning needed to bring your big idea to life. But before you begin, start by asking yourself a few questions. They will help you start to gather the evidence and proof you’ll need when it comes to writing your application – and are relevant whichever competition you enter.

Applying for Innovate UK funding

The second guide explains how Innovate UK assesses applications. Applying for funding can raise a few concerns, like:

  • Is it worth my while applying?
  • Is it really a level playing field?
  • Are the assessors qualified to judge my application?

This guide answers the five most frequently asked questions about the application process.

Application assessment process

In addition, Innovate UK also has a comprehensive online guide for organisations applying for Innovate UK’s funding opportunities to test ideas and develop innovative products and services.

Business innovation: what funding you can get and how to apply

Don’t forget, this website has a comprehensive list of live funding competitions. And if you want to find out more about how the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) works, check out our videos and case studies on innovation funding.