Key Features
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £7 million across the three strands of the competition. This is for energy access in ODA eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo Pacific region and Latin America.
Programme: Innovate UK
Award: Share of up to £7 million
Opens: 5th Jan 2026
Closes: 25th Mar 2026
Innovate UK will invest up to £7 million in projects which create new or improved energy access in ODA eligible countries.
The competitions aim is to accelerate innovations needed to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin American and the Indo-Pacific region.
Areas in scope for the Energy Catalyst round 11 are:
Energy access – Projects must aim to accelerate access to affordable, clean energy services for low-income households, enterprises and social institutions in ODA countries
Clean Energy – Technology or business models must create affordable, reliable or low carbon clean energy.
Projects must have total costs of between £50,000 and £1.5 million with projects lasting between 6-24 months. Projects must not start before 1st August 2026 and end on 31st March 2030. Project work must include a UK registered lead, involve at least one partner in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or the Indo-Pacific region, or Latin America countries and involve at least one legally separate collaborator.
Lead: There are two types of leads in the Energy Catalyst programme – Administrative and technology lead. Administrative leads must be UK registered businesses of any size and claim grant funding through this competition. Technology Leads must be a business of any size, from anywhere in the world and claim grant funding through this competition.
Project team: The project team must include at least one eligible grant claiming micro, small or medium sized enterprise that can be either an administrative or technology lead. To collaborate with a lead, organisations must be a business of any size, academic institution, charity, not for profit, non-government organisation or Research and technology organisation
International Partners
International partners require the inclusion of meaningful and equitable collaborations between the UK organisation and organisations from an ODA recipient country or territory.
Non funded partners: Projects can include organisations that do not claim funding for their work on the project. Where non-funded partners have been invited to the application on IFS, their costs will count towards the total eligible project costs.
Subcontractors: Subcontractors are allowed in this competition and can be from anywhere in the world.
Number of applications: All eligible organisations can lead or collaborate on any number of applications.
Previous applications: Previously submitted applications can be used in this competition
The following projects are not being funded:
Innovate UK are offering up to £7.6 million to fund innovation projects. Funding will be in the form of a grant. Funding will be in the form of a grant.
Category 2 Industrial research projects:
Streamline Scheme Information
This scheme supports research or critical information to gain new skills or knowledge. It can also fund projects that make improvements to existing projects, processes or services. Examples of digital products include:
Research participation
Research organisations undertaking non-economic activity as part of the project can share up to 50% of the total eligible project costs. If your consortium contains more than one research organisation taking part in non-exempt activity the maximum is shared. Of the 50% you can receive funding for eligible project costs of:
Eligibility criteria for claiming 80% of FEC funding
Energy catalyst round 11 – mid stage
Book an appointment to speak to one of our advisors to discuss your eligibility to apply for this Grant Funding opportunity.
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