Innovate UK Smart Grants: April 2022

To be in scope your proposal must demonstrate:

a game-changing, innovative, and disruptive idea that will lead to new products, processes or services
an idea that is significantly ahead of others in the field, set for rapid commercialisation
clear potential to positively impact the UK’s position, productivity and competitiveness within the global economy
a clear, evidence based business plan to deliver significant economic impact, return on investment (ROI) and growth through commercialisation, as soon as possible after project completion
why Smart funding is the right potential funding for your project, and the journey you have already been on to reach the point of application
a team with the necessary skills, and expertise to deliver the project successfully and on time, and to achieve rapid commercialisation
awareness of all the main risks the project will face with realistic management, mitigation and impact minimisation plans for each risk
sound, practical financial plans and timelines that represent good value for money, including the funding of post-project activities

Your proposal must:

take customer and user needs into account to deliver more desirable and useful solutions
identify who is ready to buy your innovation
be developed, planned and resourced beyond the end of the Innovate UK funded project, taking into account the focus of any project partners and their existing commitments
fit with and complement your ongoing business planning and development, product offerings and organisational structure to maximise chances of success

If your application does not meet the eligibility criteria for this competition, it will be marked as ineligible and will not be sent for assessment.

Your project must:

start by 1 January 2023
end by 31 December 2025
include at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) as the lead or a collaborative grant claiming partner
follow specific rules dependent on its duration
carry out all of its project work in the UK
intend to exploit the results from or in the UK

The end by date is the date by which all funding for this round of the competition must end. Your contracted project end date will not be extended.

If your project’s duration is 6 to 18 months, it:

If your project’s duration is 19 to 36 months, it must:

To lead a project your organisation must:

be an SME if you want to work alone
be a UK registered business of any size or a research and technology organisation (RTO) if collaborative
include at least one SME if you are a large business or RTO and wish to collaborate with other UK registered businesses, research organisations, academic organisations, public sector organisations or charities
claim grant funding

Fund Name