Overview
Innovate UK, on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade, is offering up to £20 million through the Battery Innovation Programme for feasibility studies in battery technologies. This funding aims to accelerate the development of innovative battery solutions, strengthen the UK battery supply chain, encourage new industry entrants, and enhance global competitiveness.
Scope
This competition supports feasibility studies that trial advanced or novel battery technologies, adapt existing materials or processes, and exploit scientific advances for commercial applications.
Projects should demonstrate market relevance, address industry challenges, and strengthen UK competitiveness across the battery value chain.
Eligible applications may cover areas such as: raw materials, advanced cell materials, cell design, process and manufacturing tools, quality control, diagnostics, and testing or simulation tools. Applications must clearly show how they support electrification across sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defence, maritime, rail, personal mobility, and battery energy storage.
Key themes and topics
- UK equipment manufacturing and process capability for cell and battery production
- Battery reuse, recovery, and recycling processes
- Strengthening localised battery supply chains and industrial resilience
- Reducing cost, increasing performance and safety, and lowering environmental impact
- Supporting regulatory compliance and standards
Project duration
6 to 18 months, with projects starting no earlier than 1 April 2026.
Award value
Funding requests must be between £70,000 and £500,000 per project.
Funding rates
- Up to 70% of eligible costs for micro or small organisations
- Up to 60% for medium-sized organisations
- Up to 50% for large organisations
- Research organisations undertaking non-economic activity may claim 100% of costs; Je-S registered institutions may claim 80% of full economic costs
Eligibility criteria
- Lead organisation must be a UK-registered business of any size
- Consortia must include at least one UK-registered SME claiming funding
- Collaborators can include UK-registered businesses, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profits, public sector organisations, or research & technology organisations
- Projects must be carried out in the UK, with results exploited from the UK
- Subcontractors are allowed from the UK or overseas with justification
- Projects must comply with subsidy control regulations and UK sanctions requirements
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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