Overview
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is working with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to support small innovation projects through the *Analysis for Innovators* programme.
The aim is to help businesses tackle existing measurement and analysis problems that cannot be solved with standard techniques, by giving them access to NPL’s world-class scientists and facilities.
This is a two-stage competition:
- Stage 1: Define the problem (no funding awarded)
- Stage 2: Develop the solution in partnership with NPL (funding available)
Projects must demonstrate the potential to improve business **productivity and competitiveness** by solving a defined measurement or analysis challenge.
Scope
Your proposal must clearly set out:
- The measurement or analysis problem you face
- Why solving it matters to your business (e.g. productivity, quality, competitiveness)
- Any methods you have already attempted
We will only consider problems that:
- Relate to an existing process, product, or service owned or used by your company
- Concern the **measurement or analysis of quantities or properties** of that process, product, or service
- Cannot be solved using standard or “off-the-shelf” methods
Key themes and topics
This competition is open to any industry sector with a relevant measurement or analysis challenge. Suitable projects may include, but are not limited to:
- Improving product quality or performance
- Validating new processes or services
- Solving bottlenecks in production linked to measurement issues
- Enhancing reliability or repeatability of measurements
Projects focused solely on primary agricultural or aquaculture production will not be funded at Stage 2.
Project duration
- Stage 1: Define your measurement problem (no funding, consultation stage)
- Stage 2: Funded project to develop a solution with NPL
Duration: 3 to 9 monthsStart: Between 1 January 2026 and 30 September 2026
Award value
- Stage 1: No funding awarded
- Stage 2: Eligible project costs must be £15,000–£100,000
Funding rates
Stage 2 funding will be awarded under Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) rules, capped at £315,000 per enterprise across a rolling three-year period.
Funding covers NPL’s contribution in full, with companies required to match-fund their own costs.
Up to £1.5 million has been allocated to support projects at Stage 2.
Eligibility criteria
To apply, your project must:
- Relate to a valid measurement or analysis challenge
- Be linked to work carried out in the UK
- Intend to exploit results from or in the UK
Lead applicants must:
- Be a UK-registered SME (micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise)
- Submit only one application per round
Additional rules:
- Stage 2 projects must last 3–9 months
- Previous applicants may re-apply once if their proposal reached the assessment stage
- Subcontractors are allowed but must represent fair market value; overseas subcontractors require strong justification
- Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI’s guidance on animal welfare standards
Why work with us?
At Kene, we make securing and managing grant funding simple, efficient, and effective. Whether you’re applying for funding, setting up a new project, or managing ongoing reporting, our services are tailored to support you throughout the entire process.
Our team of STEM qualified consultants and sector specialists bring a breadth of technical expertise gained from supporting our extensive SME client portfolio, across more than 17 industries. Our end-to-end approach ensures each project meets funding competition requirements while maximising the chances of success and ensuring smooth implementation.
We know what strong funding applications look like, and more importantly, how to make your project stand out.
Book a free consultation with our expert grant funding advisors today.
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