Top 10 Funding Opportunities:

Tackling Bacterial and Fungal Antimicrobial Resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

This programme offers annual researcher-led funding opportunities for applied research to prevent, detect and respond to key global health security threats and challenges in low and middle income countries (LMICs) eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The theme of this funding opportunity is antimicrobial resistance, with a focus on bacterial and fungal pathogens on the World Health Organisation (WHO) priority lists.

Heat Pump Ready Programme Round 2: Innovation Funding Competition

This scheme aims to facilitate the increased deployment of heat pumps by making them a more attractive proposition for consumers such that they become the default choice when replacing a fossil fuel heating system. This competition will fund projects to design, build and test innovative heat pump system technologies to achieve TRL 9 and CRL 9.

Contracts for Innovation: Cyber Scale in Critical Sectors

This competition aims to support cyber security organisations in their growth efforts by demonstrating the operation and value of their innovative solutions in real environments within critical sector organisations.

Lowland Peat Water Discovery Grant

Funding is available to help farmers and local partners explore more sustainable ways of managing water in lowland peat areas.

Innovate UK Venture Builder Pilot Expression of Interest

This competition aims to close the gap between validated customer discovery and investment readiness by supporting spin-outs to become investor‑ready companies and secure their first investment.

Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator 2026

This programme will support up to 12 SMEs to develop a trial to test their solution in real-world environments to help solve pressing challenges within the freight and logistics sector. Up to eight SMEs will then be selected in the second phase to receive further funding to deliver their trial via a pre-commercial Pilot and Trial contract.

Business Partnership Fund – Research and Development

This Fund is seeking new and innovative ideas to help reduce water use in businesses across the South East.

Tay Cities Work Experience Programme – Job Creation

This programme is providing funding to employers to host work experience placements with a view to strengthening students’ employability and career prospects and helping businesses build a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.

Large Employer Fund

This scheme will provide businesses with 250 or more PAYE employees with financial support towards their training needs.

NEZ Business Growth Fund – Feasibility Studies

This scheme aims to support projects that enable business growth or improvement and align with the strategic objectives of the Enterprise Zone, demonstrating clear impact, benefits and value for money. Eligible projects include the development of new or refurbishment of existing employment space, low carbon investments and capital projects.