Battery Innovation Feasibility Studies Round 1

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