DRIVE35 innovation fund: collaborate three
DRIVE35 innovation fund: collaborate three supports UK automotive partnerships in late-stage R&D to advance zero emission vehicles, strengthen manufacturing and supply chains, and move the industry towards net zero.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: October 22, 2026 (economic feedback response) | October 30, 2026 (consolidated feedback response) | November 2, 2026 (interview materials) | November 3, 2026 (VfM changes)
Funding Amounts: £2.5 million–£20 million grant request per project; 18–36 months
Summary: Supports late-stage collaborative R&D that advances zero emission vehicles and a net zero UK automotive industry.
Key Information: The lead must be a UK-registered business, and the consortium must include a vehicle manufacturer or Tier 1 supplier and a grant-claiming UK SME.
Description
The DRIVE35 Innovation Fund supports collaborative, late-stage research and development intended for commercialisation after the project. Its goal is to develop strategically important automotive technologies, strengthen the UK supply chain and help the industry move towards zero emission vehicles and net zero. DRIVE35 is led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT); Innovate UK delivers this competition in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC).
Projects must address at least one of three themes: zero emission vehicle technologies, manufacturing competitiveness, or software-defined vehicles and electrical/electronic architectures. Proposals are expected to enable future vehicle manufacture, create or safeguard high-value UK jobs, and support longer-term R&D investment.
