Innovate UK (UKRI)

Investor Partnerships - National Materials Innovation Programme 1

Amount variesCloses 19 Jan 2027 (68 days)UK-wide

Grant funding for UK SMEs developing advanced materials innovations, conditional on aligned private investment from a selected investor partner. Suits micro, small and medium UK businesses with an investor partner's backing.

What it pays for

  • Innovation and R&D
  • Growth

Conditions to know about

Single applicants only; must be a UK registered micro, small or medium business carrying out project work in the UK, invited by a named investor partner who submitted an EOI. Project costs £50,000 to £2 million depending on research category. Funding is 70% or 60% for feasibility/industrial research and 45% or 35% for experimental development, by size. Aligned investment must close before project start. Up to £5 million is allocated across all projects in this competition.

How to apply

Applications go through the funder. Read their page for the full rules and the form.

Go to the funder’s page

Check if you can apply

Is each of these true for your business?

The business is based in the UK
The funder’s wording
UK registered SMEs can apply for grant funding alongside private investment from selected investor partners.
You are a company or partnership
The funder’s wording
To be successful, your project must be independently confirmed by Innovate UK as fundable and receive aligned investment directly, led or catalysed by the investor partner identified in your application.
The business has fewer than 250 people

0 of 3 answered

Source: Innovate UK competitions. Last checked 11 Nov 2026. Read from the funder’s page by AI, with each key fact checked against the page text.

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.

Listed under Innovation and R&D, Growth, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

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