Investor Partnerships: National Materials Innovation Programme one
Investor Partnerships: National Materials Innovation Programme one supports UK SMEs with R&D grants alongside private investment to develop and commercialise advanced materials for adoption across UK industries.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: November 5, 2026 (Briefing) | January 19, 2027, 11:00am UK time (Closing) | March 1, 2027 (Notification) | June 1, 2027 (Start by)
Funding Amounts: Up to £5 million total; eligible project costs £50,000–£2 million, over 6–24 months depending on research category
Summary: Innovate UK supports UK SMEs developing and commercialising advanced materials through grants alongside aligned private investment.
Key Information: An approved investor partner must invite you and submit an expression of interest before you apply.
Description
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, runs this Investor Partnerships competition under the National Materials Innovation Programme. It combines research and development grants with private investment led or catalysed by selected investor partners, helping UK businesses develop and commercialise materials innovations. Projects may improve existing materials to overcome technical barriers or develop and deploy new advanced materials.
The competition focuses on translating and adopting materials innovations across the UK’s growth-driving sectors, frontier industries and foundational industries. Proposals must address a specified materials theme and sub-theme, demonstrate a clear route to market, and show significant market impact, scalability and attractiveness to equity investors. Funding decisions consider both the innovation and whether the grant accelerates investment that is likely to complete.
