Faraday Challenge: Innovation – feasibility studies

As part of the government’s Faraday Challenge Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, Innovate UK is to invest up to £10 million in innovation projects. This is to support the UK to lead the world in the design, development and manufacture of future batteries for vehicle electrification.

This competition is the first portion of innovation funding as part of the clean and flexible energy or Faraday Challenge.

Projects must support the overall goal of the UK to become a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles.

In line with the objectives of the Faraday Challenge, the challenge is looking to fund projects that address the following technical and supply chain challenges:

• cost: cost reduction at the cell and pack level
• energy density: increasing Wh/kg per cell
• power density: increasing kW/kg per pack
• safety: eliminate thermal runaway risks for enhanced safety
• temperature: broaden the temperature ranges at which a pack efficiently operates
• predictability: new models to better predict range and battery health
• recyclability: towards 95% pack recyclability
• cell and pack production: innovation in cell, module and pack production
• battery as a system: battery management systems and integration of cells into modules, packs and vehicles
• projects that stimulate and broaden innovation in the materials and manufacturing, recycling and charging times of cells, modules and packs

Specific competition themes

• show a clear path towards manufacture and commercial opportunity, at scale, in the UK
• build on successful fundamental research already completed, in partnership with the UK’s research base
• focus on maximising UK return from the battery supply value chain, for example in the manufacture and IP related to electrodes
• support all aspects of the UK’s automotive sector battery supply chain, including niche vehicles and off highway
• have a clear focus on commercialisation in the UK at high volume

Eligibility

To be eligible you must:

• be a UK-based business or research and technology organisation working within the limits provided in the general guidance for applicants
• carry out your project work, and intend to exploit the results, in the UK
• work in collaboration with other grant claiming partners (businesses, research organisations and/or third sector)

Funding and project details

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Innovate UK have allocated up to £10 million to fund technical feasibility projects in this competition.

Projects should draw from existing research in battery technology. Projects should also innovate towards commercialisation in the automotive market, while focusing on building the UK supply chain. This includes battery supply business models.

All projects must be collaborative and involve at least one SME.

Project types

Your project must focus on feasibility studies.

You could get up to 70% of your eligible project costs if you are an SME.