UK Battery Innovation Programme: £5 Million Funding Opportunity for Technology SMEs

Innovate UK Combines R&D Grants with Private Investment to Accelerate Battery Innovation and Commercialisation

Innovate UK has launched a £5 million funding competition under its Battery Innovation Programme, supporting UK small and medium-sized enterprises developing advanced battery technologies and strengthening domestic supply chains.

The Investor Partnerships – Battery Innovation Programme combines public research and development grants with private investment from approved investor partners.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered SMEs undertaking research and development in the UK, with plans to commercialise their innovations.

Projects may address advanced battery chemistry, cell and pack technologies, manufacturing processes, supply-chain development and applications across electrified transport and industrial systems.

For developers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous marine vessels, robotics and eVTOL aircraft, improvements in battery energy density, weight, charging performance, thermal management and operational endurance are particularly relevant.

Funding Available

Three categories of projects are supported:

• Feasibility studies: £50,000–£300,000 total project costs, lasting 6–12 months.

• Industrial research: £100,000–£1 million, lasting 6–24 months.

• Experimental development: £250,000–£2 million, lasting 12–24 months.

Grant funding can cover up to 70% of eligible costs for small businesses undertaking feasibility studies or industrial research, and up to 45% for experimental development.

An Important Investment Requirement

Unlike conventional innovation grants, applicants must secure support from an approved Innovate UK investor partner before applying.

Aligned private investment must equal at least the grant amount for feasibility studies and industrial research, or twice the grant amount for experimental development.

The programme therefore targets commercially promising technologies with credible growth potential, rather than research projects without a defined route to market.

Application Deadline

25 November 2026, 11:00am UK time.

The programme presents an opportunity for battery technology developers to combine non-dilutive R&D funding with equity investment, supporting the transition from innovation to commercial deployment.

(Source: Gov UK)