FOAK Builder: Programme Entry Expression of Interest

Key Features

UK registered businesses can apply for support worth up to £315,000 to develop a Climate Tech First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) project. Companies successful at this EOI stage could be invited to apply for a larger grant through FOAK Builder Phase 2.

Programme:     Innovate UK

Award:     Share of up to £315,000

Opens: 7th Oct 2026

Closes: 5th Nov 2026

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Grant Overview

Innovate UK will invest a minimum of £4.77 million through the Climate Tech FOAK Builder pilot programme.

Grant Scope

The aim of this EOI competition is to support and accelerate Climate Tech First of a Kind projects towards Final Investment Decision. Successful applicants will participate in the Climate Tech FOAK Builder programme. This will involve working with Innovate UK and the FOAK Builder Technical Assistance Supplier to develop a deeper understanding of the applicant’s FOAK project, define a bespoke FOAK Development Plan and a FOAK Support Plan and enact the FOAK support plan.

FOAK projects must focus on one of the following climate technology areas:

  • sustainable fuels, excluding those that rely on carbon from fossil sources as an input or municipal solid waste
  • grid technologies, including energy storage, or technologies or solutions that enable grid efficiency or operational improvements delivered through the deployment of hardware
  • engineered carbon removals, including direct air capture and innovative point source carbon capture technologies
  • low carbon material production and recycling, including, concrete, steel, chemicals or other key industrial inputs, including critical materials

 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this competition projects must last between 3 and 12 months. Starting by 1st March 2027 and ending 28th February 2028. Any organisation receiving funding must carry out its project work in the UK with the intent to exploit results in the UK. Most of the funding must be spent in the UK.

Lead organisation: To work alone organisations must be a UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprise.

Subcontractors: Subcontractors are not allowed in this competition

Number of applications: An eligible organisation can only lead on one application. Further applications by the same organisation will be ineligible.

Previous applications: Previously submitted applications cannot be used in this competition.

Grant Exclusions

Innovate UK will not fund the following projects:

  • Projects that do not fit the scope or specific themes
  • Projects that involve primary production in fishery and aquaculture
  • Projects that involve primary production in agriculture
  • Projects that are dependent on expert performance or domestic inputs usage
  • Projects not allowed under de minimis regulation restrictions or eligible to receive Minimal Financial Assistance

Funding Costs

Innovate UK has allocated a minimum of £770,000 to fund in-kind support projects in this competition. Your total project costs will be eligible for up to 100% funding subject to MFA subsidy rules.

For further information on this competition, please see full details.

Full competition details