Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Round 5 Discovery C5

Key Features

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £30 million exclusive of VAT, for collaborative Discovery Phase Projects that meet the Round 5 challenges. This funding is from the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund.

Programme:     Ofgem

Award:     Share of up to £30 million

Opens: 26th Jan 2026

Closes: 25th Feb 2026

! This scheme is now closed
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Grant Overview

Innovate UK in partnership with Ofgem are funding the Strategic Innovation Fund which aims to deliver net zero at the lowest cost to consumers and supports innovative business to grown and scale.

Grant Scope

Each round 5 Innovation Challenge listed in the Strategic Innovation Fund document has different aims.

You must select the challenge your project is working on. There are seven challenges in the Discovery Phase. These are:

  • Challenge 1: Advanced energy transmission and networks
  • Challenge 2: Dynamic modelling
  • Challenge 3: High energy demand point integration
  • Challenge 4: Consumer centric grid expansion
  • Challenge 5: Enhanced system visibility and control
  • Challenge 6: Green gas
  • Challenge 7: Whole system optimisation

Successful applicants will be invited to apply for the Alpha Phase.

Eligibility Criteria

The award has been designed to be provided on a no subsidy basis, as defined in the Subsidy Control Act 2022. Projects must have a total eligible Strategic Innovation Fund requested funding of no more than £150,000. Projects must provide a minimum of 10% of the total project costs as compulsory contributions from private funds and start after 1st May 2026. Projects need to end by 30th September 2026 and be completed within a five month window.

  • Lead: Organisations must be an Ofgem licensed gas distribution network, gas transmission, electricity transmission, electricity distribution or electricity system operator and work with at least one other organisation as Project Partner
  • Project Partners: Each Discovery Phase Round 5 challenge has a specific Project partner requirement in addition to the lead network licensee.
  • Discovery Phase Challenges: The eligibility requirements for the Discovery Phase Challenges are different for each challenge them
  • Non-funded Partners: Projects can include organisations that do not claim funding for their work on the project. Their costs will be covered by their own resources. These can include UK, EU, and other non-uk organisations.
  • Previous Applications: Funding will not be awarded funding if you have failed to comply with the eligibility criteria set out in Chapter 2 of the SIF Governance document.

Exclusions

Ofgem will not fund projects that do not meet the requirements of the SIF Governance Document.

Grant Funding

Up to £30 million in grant funding has been allocated across the seven challenges in the Discovery Phase.

Ofgem reserve the right to make the final decision as to which Projects are funded.

At the end of Discovery Phase all milestones detailed in the Project Direction must be fulfilled. The successful organisation will be invited to submit an application into the Alpha phase and a further assessment will take place.

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

Full competition details

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