Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund round five discovery C7
Forecasted
Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund round five discovery C7 supports energy network collaborations to define innovation challenges and consumer needs, advancing net zero at the lowest cost to consumers.
This grant was recently updated
Applications are now closed; the opportunity status changed from Open to Closed.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Closing date)
Funding Amounts: Up to £200,000 per Discovery project, exclusive of VAT, within a five-month window; up to £30 million across seven challenges
Summary: Supports collaborative Discovery projects addressing Round 5 energy network challenges and delivering net benefits to consumers.
Key Information: Only Ofgem-licensed network operators or NESO may lead; challenge-specific partners and a 10% private contribution are compulsory.
Description
Innovate UK delivers this competition in partnership with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), using the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). It supports collaborative energy network innovation that benefits Great Britain’s infrastructure and consumers, delivers net zero at the lowest cost to consumers, and helps innovative businesses grow and scale.
Discovery is the first of four phases: Discovery, Alpha, Beta and Deployment. Projects define the problem, establish the value of solving it, and build understanding of consumer and network-user needs and constraints. Applicants must plan towards live testing in Alpha, large-scale demonstration in Beta, and deployment into business as usual. Successful Discovery projects are invited to apply for Alpha, with further assessment required.
