Share
Secure the funding you need to innovate and grow your business with our round-up of the best grant opportunities coming up in the next couple of months. Our curated selection of the latest funding schemes includes grant opportunities for health & care, social impact, sustainability, and digital innovation.
Emerging Technology:
Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators
Funding for UK micro and small businesses developing next-generation connectivity technologies.
What is it? Delivered by Innovate UK through the UKRI Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) R&D Programme, this competition provides a share of up to £500,000 to support early-stage innovation in advanced connectivity technologies. Funding aims to help businesses develop affordable, adoptable and investable products, services, processes or business models that strengthen the UK’s security, resilience, sustainability and competitiveness. Projects must align with one of two ACT Grand Challenges: Secure and Resilient Networks or Sustainable Networks.
Who is it for? UK-registered micro and small businesses developing innovative advanced connectivity technologies. Projects must request between £25,000 and £50,000, last three to six months, and be carried out primarily in the UK.
Deadline: 5th August 2026
Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1
Funding for early-stage Createch innovations driving growth across the UK’s creative industries.
What is it? An Innovate UK competition offering a share of up to £10 million for industrial research projects developing innovative commercial digital platforms and services. The programme supports early-stage Createch innovation beyond proof of concept, helping businesses de-risk future investment, create new products, services or intellectual property, and accelerate growth in the UK’s frontier creative industries. Projects must be market-ready within 12 months of completion.
Who is it for? UK-registered businesses developing innovative digital platforms or services within the video games, advertising and marketing, film and TV, or music, performing and visual arts sectors. Cross-sector applications and design-led innovations aligned with these frontier industries are also encouraged.
Deadline: 11th August 2026
Hybrid Algorithms for Quantum Advantage
Funding for UK research organisations advancing hybrid quantum-classical computing towards achieving quantum advantage.
What is it? Delivered by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in partnership with the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), this funding opportunity provides a share of up to £11.425 million to support research into the development of scalable, resource-efficient and trustworthy hybrid quantum algorithms. Funding aims to strengthen UK capability beyond the Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) era by advancing algorithm design, quantum-classical workflows, resource optimisation, benchmarking and error mitigation.
Who is it for? UK-based research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding. Projects can request up to £2.856 million full economic cost, with EPSRC funding 80% of costs. Projects must last no more than three years and should support collaboration with industry, government or other end users where relevant.
Deadline: 20th August 2026
Enhancing the Security, Privacy and Robustness of AI Models and Systems (SecureAI)
Funding for organisations developing secure, privacy-preserving and resilient AI systems.
What is it? A Horizon Europe Innovation Actions programme supporting projects that strengthen the security, privacy and robustness of AI models and systems. Funding supports innovations that improve resilience against adversarial attacks, data poisoning and backdoor exploitation, develop AI systems using privacy-enhancing technologies, and advance methods for detecting and mitigating AI security threats. Projects are also expected to support trusted AI deployments while maintaining data confidentiality and regulatory compliance. The topic has a total budget of €21.2 million, with individual grants expected to range from €3 million to €4 million.
Who is it for? Legal entities established in eligible Horizon Europe Member States and Associated Countries developing secure AI technologies. Projects should focus on areas such as adversarially robust AI, privacy-preserving AI, federated learning, anomaly detection, secure inference, encrypted computing, or other technologies that improve the security and trustworthiness of AI systems.
Deadline: 15th September 2026
Women TechEU 2026-27
Funding and business support for women-led deep tech startups across Europe.
What is it? Women TechEU is an EU-funded programme supporting women-led early-stage deep tech startups. Successful applicants receive €75,000 in non-dilutive funding alongside a personalised business development programme including mentoring, coaching and training. The programme operates through a two-stage application process, with applicants first completing an eligibility application before being invited to submit a full proposal.
Who is it for? Women-led early-stage deep tech startups based in eligible European countries. Eligible sectors include AI, quantum, biotechnology, robotics, advanced materials, advanced sensing, energy, advanced connectivity, manufacturing, space and other deep tech fields. Startups must be developing genuine deep tech innovation rather than applying existing technologies or business models.
Deadline: 16th September 2026 (Full Proposal deadline)
Sustainability:
National Lottery Heritage Grants £250,000 to £10million
Funding for UK heritage projects that protect, sustain and connect people with local, regional and national heritage.
What is it? Delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this programme provides grants from £250,000 to £10 million for projects that value, care for and sustain heritage across the UK. Funding supports a wide range of heritage activities, including conservation, capital works, community engagement, skills development and organisational sustainability. Projects must align with the Fund’s four investment principles: saving heritage, protecting the environment, inclusion, access and participation, and organisational sustainability.
Who is it for? Not-for-profit organisations or partnerships led by not-for-profit organisations with heritage projects in the UK. Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest and, if successful, will be invited to apply. Projects must require between £250,000 and £10 million and run for no more than five years (excluding the development phase).
Deadline: 6th August 2026 (On running)
Full ADOPT Grant: Round Eight
Funding for farming, growing and forestry businesses in England developing and demonstrating new solutions to improve agricultural practices.
What is it? Delivered by Innovate UK with co-funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the ADOPT grant provides a share of up to £5 million for on-farm trial and demonstration projects. Funding aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies, practices and approaches that can improve productivity, sustainability and resilience across the agricultural sector.
Who is it for? Collaborations led by established farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England. Projects must include at least one additional UK-based farming business partner and demonstrate how new ideas or solutions can be tested and adopted in real-world agricultural settings.
Deadline: 12th August 2026
DRIVE35: Scale Up Fund
Funding for UK manufacturing scale-up projects supporting zero emission vehicle technologies.
What is it? Innovate UK competition offering a share of up to £150 million, delivered with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), to support the creation of scale-up manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle technologies. The programme is designed to accelerate industrial capability and strengthen UK manufacturing capacity in clean transport innovation.
Who is it for? UK-registered organisations, including single applicants or collaborations, developing manufacturing scale-up projects for zero emission vehicle technologies. To lead a project, organisations must be UK-registered businesses. Non-UK businesses may apply but must establish a UK-registered entity before any grant can be awarded, which must deliver the project with UK-based staff in place.
Deadline: 15th August 2026
Consumer Led Flexibility for the Clean Energy Superpower Mission
Funding for UK organisations developing innovative solutions to unlock flexible energy use and a cleaner energy system.
What is it? Delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Consumer Led Flexibility Challenge, this competition provides a share of up to £25 million to support pre-commercial projects developing solutions that enable flexible loads to be better utilised in energy system operation. Funding aims to accelerate the adoption of consumer-led flexibility by 2030 through innovative AI, digital tools, products and services that can contribute to delivering at least 2GW of additional system flexibility.
Who is it for? UK-registered organisations developing innovative energy, digital and technology solutions. Projects must request between £100,000 and £3 million in grant funding and demonstrate clear routes to commercialisation, measurable impact by 2030, and strong collaboration with relevant end users or partners.
Deadline: 26th August 2026
Digitalisation of the Water Sector
Funding for companies developing space-enabled digital solutions to improve water sustainability.
What is it? This European Space Agency (ESA) opportunity supports proof-of-concept and pilot projects that use space technologies to address challenges in the water sector. Funding aims to accelerate innovative solutions for water quality monitoring, leak detection, wastewater management, infrastructure resilience and improved water resource planning through the use of satellite data and digital technologies.
Who is it for? Companies developing commercially viable space-enabled products or services related to water management. Applicants must demonstrate customer engagement, technical feasibility, market potential and clear value from the use of space-based technologies. Eligible teams must be based in participating ESA member countries, including the UK.
Deadline: 30th August 2026
Sustainable Future: Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Funding for charitable organisations developing ideas that support a fairer, greener and low-carbon future.
What is it? Delivered by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT), the Sustainable Future programme supports work that challenges unsustainable economic models, consumer culture and environmental inequality. Funding focuses on three areas: better economics, beyond consumerism and new voices, helping to promote sustainable approaches, alternative ways of living and greater participation in environmental and economic decision-making.
Who is it for? UK charitable organisations working on sustainability, climate justice, economic reform and community-led approaches to creating a more sustainable future.
Deadline: 2nd September 2026
Social Impact
Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust – Medium Grants (£10,001 to £20,000)
Funding for charities supporting vulnerable communities, young people, older people, disability support and environmental projects.
What is it? The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust (EKCT) provides grants of £10,001 to £20,000 to support charitable work that improves lives and strengthens communities. Funding can support core costs, specific projects, start-up costs and unrestricted activities aligned with EKCT’s priorities, including youth services, support for older people, disability inclusion, community welfare, homelessness, hospices and environmental conservation.
Who is it for? UK registered charities with at least one year of filed accounts with the Charity Commission for England & Wales or the Office of the Scottish Charity Register. Priority is given to organisations working in Sussex, with limited support also available for eligible UK and international wildlife conservation and reproductive health projects.
Deadline: 13th August 2026
King Charles III Charitable Fund – Small Grants
Funding for UK nonprofit organisations delivering projects that support education, heritage conservation and community impact.
What is it? The KCCF Small Grants programme provides grants of up to £9,000 over three years to support charitable projects across the Education and Heritage Conservation funding themes. Funding aims to help organisations create positive change through initiatives that improve opportunities, preserve heritage and support disadvantaged communities.
Who is it for? UK-registered nonprofit organisations with an annual income between £25,000 and £500,000, at least two years of activity and less than six months of unrestricted free reserves. Projects must cost no more than £50,000 and align with the programme’s education or heritage conservation priorities.
Deadline: 19th August 2026
GSK IMPACT Awards
Funding for UK charities improving people’s health and wellbeing through impactful community-based work.
What is it? The GSK IMPACT Awards provide funding, training and development support for charities delivering excellent health-related work across the UK. Up to 15 awards will be made, with grants ranging from £5,000 to £50,000 alongside development support, national recognition, promotional opportunities and access to additional resources from GSK.
Who is it for? UK registered charities with an income between £150,000 and £3 million that have been operating for at least three years and work in a health-related field. Successful organisations will receive funding, leadership development support and opportunities to raise awareness of their work.
Deadline: 19th August 2026
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund Grants
Funding for charities supporting people with learning disabilities through projects, services and organisational support.
What is it? The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund provides grants for both capital and revenue costs, supporting specific projects and core running costs. Grants are available from £250, with larger appeals considered through the General Grant Programme and applications of £5,000 or less considered through the Small Grant Programme.
Who is it for? Charities and organisations whose work aligns with the Fund’s eligibility criteria and supports people with learning disabilities. Funding can be used for a range of activities, with applications assessed based on purpose, funding needs and available sources of support.
Deadline: 31st August 2026
Health and Wellbeing
CfI: Earlier Identification of UK Children with SEN
Funding to develop innovative solutions that enable earlier and more reliable identification of children with special educational needs (SEN).
What is it? Delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this Contracts for Innovation competition provides funding to develop, test and evaluate new tools, products, services or platforms that improve SEN identification and assessment. Projects should address gaps where existing solutions underperform or are unavailable, helping education and health systems identify children’s strengths and needs earlier and more consistently. Up to £2.5 million is available across the competition, with individual phase 1 projects eligible for up to £500,000.
Who is it for? Organisations of any size that can develop and deliver innovative solutions, working independently or with partners from business, research organisations, healthcare, education or the third sector. Projects must support UK children and families, demonstrate a clear route to adoption, and involve relevant users such as children, parents, carers, teachers and SEN professionals. Projects must run for up to 12 months, starting by 1 October 2026.
Deadline: 5th August 2026
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Grants
Funding for small charities and community organisations delivering projects that improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
What is it? Delivered by Heart Research UK, the Healthy Heart Grants programme provides awards of up to £15,000 for innovative community projects that promote healthier lifestyles and support heart disease prevention. Funding focuses on tackling key risk factors including nutrition, physical activity, smoking and alcohol, helping people live healthier lives in communities most at risk.
Who is it for? Small registered charities and Community Interest Companies with an annual income of less than £1 million. Projects must support adults aged 18+ and run for between three and 12 months, with a focus on preventing heart disease through one or more of the programme’s priority health areas.
Deadline: 12th August 2026
EME/HTA Postdoctoral Award: Building Clinical Trials Experience
Funding for researchers developing expertise and leadership skills in clinical trials research.
What is it? Delivered through the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme, this award supports postdoctoral researchers to build experience in efficacy and effectiveness clinical trials. Funding aims to develop future leaders in clinical trials research through projects that align with EME, HTA or overlapping programme priorities.
Who is it for? Researchers who meet the eligibility criteria for the NIHR Postdoctoral Award scheme and the EME or HTA programmes. Applicants should demonstrate how the award will support their career development towards becoming future leaders in clinical trials research.
Deadline: 12th August 2026
Experimental Medicine: Invited Stage Two Application
Funding for researchers investigating the causes, progression and treatment of human disease through experimental medicine studies.
What is it? Delivered by the Medical Research Council (MRC), this funding opportunity supports academically led research projects that investigate disease mechanisms and pathways to clinical impact. Projects must be based on a clear mechanistic hypothesis and include an experimental intervention or challenge in humans to generate new insights into human disease and potential future treatments or diagnostics.
Who is it for? Researchers based at eligible research organisations who have successfully completed stage one and have been invited to submit a stage two application. Early career researchers applying as new investigators may also be eligible. There is no limit on funding requested or project duration, with MRC funding 80% of the project’s full economic cost.
Deadline: 2nd September 2026
Other
UKRI Translation: STFC Proof of Concept
Funding to help researchers develop STFC-funded science and technology towards commercialisation.
What is it? Delivered by STFC and Innovate UK, the Proof of Concept grant supports projects from the particle physics, astronomy and nuclear (PPAN) community to progress technologies towards market readiness. Awards of up to £600,000 are available for projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to 7, supporting further development and commercialisation activity.
Who is it for? Researchers based at UK research organisations eligible for STFC funding who have been invited to apply following a successful outline application. Projects must originate from STFC-funded research and demonstrate potential for commercial impact.
Deadline: 26th August 2026
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
If you can’t see a grant relevant to your industry, our curated grant opportunities finder contains an expansive array of the best national and local funding available across sectors.
Our team of expert consultants can help you identify different funding routes for your organisation that suits your business model and aspirations to grow. Whether you’re looking for bespoke grant funding opportunities, support with writing bids and tenders, or advice on preparing your pitch deck for investors, our experienced team can help you find an approach that’s right for you.
Speak to a member of our team today to start your funding journey.
01273 704400