Everything you need to know before you apply for Innovate UK funding
Innovate UK funding is a great opportunity that boasts numerous funding opportunities in an array of sectors. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) was launched in 2018 and is a non-departmental public body. It’s sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and brings together nine councils.
These councils work together to deliver ambitious agendas in innovative ways. They aim to champion diversity and creativity in an array of disciplines and sector-specific opportunities. Their grants for businesses range from quality-related block grants from Research England to research council grants. They also award grants and wider support to innovative businesses.
Innovate UK has a wide variety of funding opportunities for businesses across the UK. The information below will help if you’re wondering how to bid for Innovate UK funding grants.
Innovate UK supports the following Research and Development (R&D) categories:
- Feasibility studies
- Industrial research
- Fundamental research
- Experimental development.
Innovate UK Funding Finder
The Innovate UK funding finder will often detail the opportunities available. They will include the eligibility criteria and note what the innovate project needs to have a particular focus on. They will include details on:
- Who can apply
- What they’re looking for
- How to apply
- Contact details
- Additional information such as supporting documents.
Before you start
Before you begin, you must read the full eligibility, guidance and scope for the opportunity you hope to apply for. You will be able to find the eligibility criteria for on the UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) website. The eligibility criteria will be clearly outlined in the opportunity guidance. You may want to consider working with a Grant Writing Consultant. They can help you bid for funding as they know what funders are looking for in proposals.
You should note the submission date as you shouldn’t leave your submission to the last minute. Any late submissions will not be considered.
The application process
There are two types of application process that Innovate UK typically runs. These are:
- A document-based file transfer protocol (FTP) application process.
There are a few opportunities on Innovate UK that aren’t able to use the Innovation Funding Service. Some of the international competitions will use a secure file transfer site (FTP) instead. These funding opportunities will prompt you to register to apply online.
You can register using the link on the competition guidance page if you’re the sole or lead applicant. Bear in mind that registration closes at midday one week before the submission deadline. Any late submissions will not be accepted.
Once you have registered on the FTP, you’ll receive an email containing the following information:
- Your username
- Password
- Unique application form
- Secure FTP site URL.
It’s important to remember that any grant applications submitted by email will not be considered.
When you click on the URL, you’ll be taken to the public download area of the secure FTP site. Here you will find downloadable documents that you need for the competition. In order to submit your application, you need to sign in using your username and password.
- An online application process through their digital Innovation Funding Service.
You need to create an account in the Innovation Funding Service in order to start an application. You will need to complete all sections within the application before you submit.
Collaboration in the Innovation Funding Service
There are many Innovate UK competitions that require businesses to work with other companies for collaborative research and development projects. You will be able to find the collaboration rules stated in the opportunity’s eligibility guidance section. It will outline the different roles of businesses that intend to work collaboratively. There are lead applicants and partner organisations.
The lead applicant represents the leading organisation on the application. They’re responsible for things such as assigning questions, reviewing answers from team members, uploading the appendices and submitting the application.
The lead organisation can invite partner organisations to join an application. They’ll receive the invitation via email from the Innovation Funding Service. They will need to accept the invitation and create an account if they don’t already have one. Partners are responsible for completing project costs and finance details for the lead applicant and answer their assigned questions.
Innovate UK funding can be a great opportunity for your business to get involved in. The grants can help enrich lives locally, nationally and internationally by encouraging innovation and research.
Never miss an Innovate UK funding opportunity
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