Open Programme – Round 2

The competition is open to the best business-led, innovative or disruptive ideas or concepts. These can be drawn from any technology, engineering or industrial area. This area can be one that fits into, or be outside of, any one or more of Innovate UK’s 4 priority sectors for growth.

Scope

To be in scope, a proposal must:

• demonstrate transformational or disruptive innovation leading to novel, new products, processes or services
• articulate a clear, anticipated growth and commercialisation impact for the business(es) with considerable, demonstrable (as you would set out in a pitch to any serious investor) potential to lead to a significant return on investment (ROI)

Eligibility

To lead a project you must:

• be a UK-based business
• be a business of any size
• carry out your project in the UK
• work alone or in collaboration with others (businesses, research base and third sector)

Funding and project details

The percentage of costs that Innovate UK pay through a grant varies. It depends on the type of research being carried out and size and type of organisation involved.
Projects can focus on:

• feasibility studies which may include a proof of market
• industrial research
• experimental development depending on the challenge identified and proposed solution

For technical feasibility studies (which may include a proof of market) and industrial research, you could get up to 70% of your eligible project costs if you are an SME.

For experimental development projects which are nearer to market, you could get up to 45% of your eligible project costs if you are an SME.

Projects may last between 6 and 36 months. Total eligible project costs should range from £25,000 to £1 million depending on the type of R&D to be undertaken.