Battery Innovation Programme: investor partnerships
Battery Innovation Programme: investor partnerships supports UK SMEs with grants alongside private investment to develop and commercialise battery technologies and strengthen the UK battery supply chain.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: October 5, 2026 (Opens) | October 9, 2026 (Briefing) | November 25, 2026, 11:00am UK time (Closes) | January 26, 2027 (Notification) | May 1, 2027 (Start by)
Funding Amounts: Minimum £5 million competition fund; grants cover 35%–70% of eligible costs, depending on business size and research category; projects last 6–24 months
Summary: Supports UK SMEs developing and commercialising battery innovations through Innovate UK grants alongside private investment from selected investor partners.
Key Information: An approved investor partner must invite you to apply and submit an expression of interest; grant funding depends on aligned investment closing.
Description
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, delivers this competition through the Battery Innovation Programme on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. It combines research and development grants with investment led or facilitated by selected investor partners, supporting technology-led SMEs with potential to grow and scale.
The programme seeks to accelerate development and commercialisation of state-of-the-art battery technologies, grow the UK battery supply chain, strengthen global competitiveness, and demonstrate battery technologies meeting application requirements across electrification sectors. Proposals may address raw materials, advanced cell materials, cell design and components, manufacturing tools, quality control and diagnostics, or testing, simulation and digital tools. Relevant sectors include automotive, aerospace, defence, battery energy storage systems, rail, maritime and personal mobility, including emerging and cross-sector uses.
