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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:
Frontier AI Discovery
Funding for UK organisations developing feasibility studies for frontier AI and foundation models.
What is it? Delivered by Innovate UK, this competition provides up to £2.5 million to support Phase 1 feasibility studies exploring frontier AI, machine learning, and foundation models. It is designed to test the technical and commercial viability of ambitious AI concepts aligned to UK priorities such as health, advanced materials, defence, and fundamental AI research, with successful projects progressing towards larger Phase 2 demonstrators.
Who is it for? UK-registered organisations working alone in Phase 1, including businesses of all sizes, research organisations, charities, public sector bodies, and NGOs. Applicants must demonstrate strong technical capability in AI, machine learning, or foundation model development.
Deadline: 10th June 2026
Contracts for Innovation: Cyber Scale in Critical Sectors
Funding for cyber security organisations to demonstrate and scale solutions in real-world critical infrastructure environments.
What is it? Delivered by Innovate UK, this Contracts for Innovation competition provides up to £3.5 million in total funding to support organisations developing and deploying cyber security solutions in live operational environments. The focus is on testing and validating technologies in critical national infrastructure sectors such as energy, transport, health, and communications, with a strong emphasis on real-world performance, user feedback, and commercial readiness. Projects are expected to demonstrate operational value and produce a clear pathway to market.
Who is it for? UK-registered organisations developing cyber security solutions at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or above. Applicants should be able to deploy and test their solution in a real operational environment with access to end users, and demonstrate strong potential for commercialisation and scale.
Deadline: 10th June 2026
Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Innovation: CRD
Funding for UK organisations developing collaborative industrial research projects to improve productivity, resource efficiency and resilience across advanced manufacturing supply chains.
What is it? Delivered by Innovate UK, this competition provides up to £6.5 million to support collaborative industrial research projects that strengthen and transform supply chains within advanced manufacturing. Projects must demonstrate innovation that improves productivity, resource efficiency, resilience, or a combination of these outcomes, and must be applicable across at least two advanced manufacturing frontier industries, supporting scalability beyond a single sector.
Who is it for? UK-registered businesses working collaboratively on industrial research within advanced manufacturing. Applicants must be able to demonstrate cross-sector applicability across frontier industries and show clear potential for industrial impact, scalability, and supply chain improvement.
Deadline: 10th June 2026
Battery Innovation Programme: Battery Skills Initiatives
Funding for UK organisations developing or scaling regional skills programmes to support battery manufacturing and its supply chain.
What is it? Delivered through Innovate UK’s Battery Innovation Programme and funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), this competition provides up to £3.7 million to support the creation and expansion of regional skills initiatives for battery manufacturing and its wider supply chain. The focus is on strengthening workforce capability, addressing critical skills gaps, and enabling the UK’s transition to large-scale battery production and associated technologies. Projects must align to either the Establish theme (new regional Level 2–3 training provision) or the Scale theme (expanding existing provision or developing commercially sustainable programmes at Levels 2–5).
Who is it for? UK-registered organisations developing or delivering skills, training, or workforce development programmes linked to battery manufacturing and its supply chain. This includes training providers, industry bodies, education institutions, and consortia able to deliver accredited, industry-relevant skills provision at scale.
Deadline: 18th June 2026
ATI: SME Programme
Funding for SMEs developing innovative aerospace technologies aligned to the UK’s civil aviation strategy and net zero aviation goals.
What is it? Delivered by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) in partnership with Innovate UK, this two-stage SME Programme provides funding of up to £1.5 million to support the development of innovative technologies for the civil aerospace sector. The focus is on accelerating solutions that contribute to cleaner, more efficient aviation and strengthening the UK aerospace supply chain. Projects should align with the ATI Technology Strategy and the Destination Zero roadmap, with a clear route to commercial exploitation within the next five years.
Who is it for? UK-registered SMEs working on aerospace innovation at industrial research stage. Applicants should be developing technologies with strong commercial potential for the civil aerospace sector and be able to demonstrate industry relevance, scalability, and collaboration across the supply chain. At least 50% of project costs must be delivered by SMEs.
Deadline: 19th June 2026
Contracts for Innovation: FOAK26
Funding for organisations developing and demonstrating high-maturity rail innovations in real operational environments across the UK network.
What is it? Delivered by Innovate UK in collaboration with the Department for Transport through the First of a Kind (FOAK) programme, this Contracts for Innovation competition provides up to £4.3 million to support the development, prototyping, and field testing of near-market rail technologies. The focus is on solutions that can be demonstrated in live or representative rail environments and that address key challenges across safety, customer experience, resilience, infrastructure delivery, and decarbonisation within the UK rail system.
Who is it for? UK-registered organisations developing mature (near-market) technologies at a high Technology Readiness Level, including SMEs, larger businesses, research organisations, and consortia. Applicants must be able to demonstrate and test solutions in operational rail contexts and engage with industry stakeholders such as Network Rail, TfL, HS2, or DLR.
Deadline: 24th June 2026
Sustainability:
Outreach and Engagement Grants (British Ecological Society)
Funding for ecological outreach projects that engage public audiences with the importance, relevance, and excitement of ecological science.
What is it? Delivered by the British Ecological Society (BES), this grant provides up to £2,000 to support outreach, public engagement, and science communication activities that bring ecological science to wider audiences. Projects can take place in-person, online, or through creative and digital formats, with a focus on increasing public understanding of ecology, environmental challenges, and career pathways in the field. The grant also supports capacity-building in science communication and innovative approaches to engagement.
Who is it for? BES members (individuals, teams, or organisations) delivering public-facing ecological engagement projects. Applicants must demonstrate direct interaction with non-academic audiences and ensure activities go beyond classroom-only delivery, with strong emphasis on inclusive, accessible public engagement.
Key Dates: 8th June 2026 (Round 2: opens 8th June, closes 8th September 2026)
High Weald Nature and Community Fund
Funding for projects that improve nature and community wellbeing across the High Weald National Landscape and surrounding towns and villages.
What is it? The High Weald Nature and Community Fund supports initiatives that benefit both people and nature across the High Weald area. Funding is available for creating and improving wildlife-friendly spaces such as community gardens, orchards, allotments, and school growing areas, as well as habitat restoration including ponds, wetlands, hedgerows, and wildflower grasslands. The fund also supports community engagement in conservation, volunteering, environmental education, and improving access to nature for underrepresented groups. Grants range from £500 to £20,000, with larger awards available for larger or multi-year projects.
Who is it for? Non-profit organisations including charities, schools, community groups, public bodies, and churches. Private landowners and land managers may also apply where there is clear public benefit from the project.
Deadline: 12th June 2026 (initial enquiries) / 13th July 2026 (final applications)
Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership
Funding for agri-tech SMEs developing late-stage innovations that improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience in UK farming.
What is it? Delivered by Innovate UK in partnership with Defra, this competition provides grant funding alongside matched private investment to help bring near-market agricultural innovations into real-world use. The focus is on late-stage experimental development projects that can deliver measurable improvements in farm productivity, environmental sustainability, and resilience, while supporting the UK transition to net zero agriculture by 2050. Successful projects combine public grant funding with significant investor co-investment to accelerate commercialisation and adoption.
Who is it for? UK-registered micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing near-market agri-tech solutions with strong commercial potential. Applicants must secure aligned investment from an approved investor partner and demonstrate clear benefits to farmers, growers, or foresters in England, particularly in areas such as livestock, crops, food systems, or the bioeconomy.
Deadline: 17th June 2026
Growth Cohorts: Next Generation Low Carbon Concrete
Funding for UK businesses developing innovative solutions to decarbonise concrete.
What is it? Delivered by Innovate UK, this competition provides £50,000 in stage one funding to support selected businesses joining a Growth Cohort focused on accelerating the decarbonisation of concrete. The programme combines grant funding with tailored sector support to help companies develop and refine their innovation and growth plans. Successful applicants work closely with a Cohort Manager and industry partners to address barriers to adoption, strengthen investment readiness, and accelerate route-to-market strategies. Stage one acts as an entry point into a longer programme that may lead to further funding and support in stage two.
Who is it for? UK-registered businesses developing solutions that reduce the carbon impact of concrete production and use. Applicants should demonstrate commercial traction, a clear value proposition, strong team capability, and a credible route to market, with potential to scale their innovation within the construction and materials sector.
Deadline: 8th July 2026
Social Impact
Main Grants (Sussex Community Foundation)
Funding for grassroots organisations across Sussex delivering vital local projects across poverty, health, education, and climate action.
What is it? Delivered by Sussex Community Foundation, this Main Grants programme supports local charities and community groups working across Sussex to deliver positive change in their communities. Funding is distributed through donor-advised and discretionary funds, matched to applications based on cause alignment. The programme supports four key priorities: Tackling Poverty, Improving Health, Reaching Potential, and Acting on Climate. Grants typically range from £1,000 to £10,000 and can support both project and core costs for up to one year.
Who is it for? Sussex-based charities, CICs, and voluntary organisations working at a grassroots level to deliver local impact across social, educational, health, or environmental priorities.
Deadline: 5th June 2026
Grants for Good (Matthew Good Foundation)
Small grants for grassroots charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises delivering local impact across communities in the UK.
What is it? Grants for Good is a funding programme delivered by the Matthew Good Foundation and funded by the John Good Group, providing unrestricted grants of £2,000 to £5,000 to small charities and community organisations. Funding can be used flexibly, including core costs and project delivery, to support work that benefits people, communities, or the environment. Each quarterly round awards £15,000 shared between five shortlisted organisations, with final decisions made through a combination of shortlisting and employee voting. The programme is designed to support early-stage and small organisations making a meaningful local impact.
Who is it for? UK-based charities, voluntary groups, community organisations and social enterprises with an annual income under £50,000 and a dedicated organisational bank account.
Deadline: 15th June 2026
Help the Homeless Grants
Small capital grants for charities delivering services and facilities that directly support people experiencing homelessness.
What is it? Help the Homeless provides grants of up to £5,000 to support capital projects that improve services, facilities, and accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. Funding can be used for building improvements, refurbishment projects, furniture, equipment, and other physical assets that enhance the support available to homeless individuals. The fund does not support core costs, salaries, general community projects, foodbanks, or IT equipment.
Who is it for? Registered charities in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland with an annual turnover of less than £500,000. Applicants must work wholly or primarily with people experiencing homelessness and be seeking funding for a capital project.
Deadline: 20th June 2026
Bupa Foundation Green Community Grants
Funding for UK community and environmental projects that improve local green spaces and support healthier, more sustainable communities.
What is it? The Bupa Foundation Green Community Grants programme provides up to £2,000 for practical projects that improve both people’s health and the health of the planet. Funding supports the creation and enhancement of local green spaces such as community gardens, pocket parks, school outdoor areas, tree planting schemes, biodiversity improvements, and accessible natural spaces. The programme prioritises projects in urban or high-need areas, particularly within deprived communities, and focuses on initiatives that deliver clear environmental and wellbeing benefits.
Who is it for? Non-fee-paying schools, registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, local authorities, and social housing providers across the UK, Republic of Ireland, and Channel Islands. Projects must demonstrate strong community benefit and a clear link between environmental improvement and public health.
Deadline: 30th June 2026
Health and Wellbeing
Hospital Saturday Fund Large Grants Programme
Funding for health charities, hospices, and medical organisations delivering significant healthcare, research, and support projects.
What is it? The Hospital Saturday Fund’s Large Grants Programme provides funding for major medical and health-related projects that improve patient care, support healthcare delivery, advance medical research, or enhance medical training. Grants can support equipment purchases, capital projects, service development, and initiatives that improve outcomes for people with medical conditions or disabilities. The programme is aimed at larger-scale projects where funding can deliver meaningful impact across healthcare and patient support services.
Who is it for? Registered health charities, hospices, medical organisations, and other non-profit organisations operating within the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Republic of Ireland, and Malta.
Deadline: 16th June 2026
Cure Parkinson’s Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme
Funding for research projects focused on slowing, stopping, or reversing Parkinson’s disease.
What is it? Delivered by Cure Parkinson’s, this research funding programme supports both preclinical and clinical research aimed at developing treatments that can slow, stop, or reverse the progression of Parkinson’s disease. For preclinical research, grants of up to £250,000 are available, with priority given to projects that have the potential to progress to clinical trials within five years. Clinical research funding is also available for trials and trial sub-studies involving people with Parkinson’s, with funding levels determined according to project requirements. The programme operates through a two-stage application process and does not fund research focused solely on symptom management.
Who is it for? Researchers, universities, research institutes, healthcare organisations, and clinical teams conducting innovative Parkinson’s disease research with clear translational or clinical potential.
Deadline: 22nd June 2026
Vinehill Trust: Health Applications
Funding for UK-based health-focused projects delivering direct, practical interventions for people with acute or long-term medical and mental health needs.
What is it? The Vinehill Trust provides funding for UK charities, non-profits, and CICs delivering healthcare-focused projects that provide direct, practical interventions rather than general wellbeing or awareness activity. The Trust prioritises projects addressing acute conditions, including pre-hospital care, suicide prevention, life-saving equipment or training, and targeted mental health trauma recovery. For the 2026 cycle, priority is given to practical health interventions for people with long-term physical or intellectual disabilities and trauma recovery for individuals with clinically diagnosed mental health conditions (ICD-10/11 or DSM-5). Projects must demonstrate measurable health outcomes, safeguarding compliance, and clear clinical impact.
Who is it for? UK-registered charities, non-profits, or CICs delivering health-focused services in the UK. Public sector organisations may apply only in partnership with a non-profit lead. Projects must directly benefit UK residents, particularly those facing health disadvantage, disability, isolation, or limited access to care. Capital projects not linked to direct health intervention, research, lobbying, or purely educational activity are not eligible.
Deadline: 30th June 2026
Wolfson Foundation: Funding for Charities Working in Mental Health
Capital funding for charities and local authorities delivering specialist mental health services through buildings, facilities, and equipment.
What is it? Delivered by the Wolfson Foundation, this programme provides capital grants to support charities working in mental health, with a strong emphasis on projects that improve training, employment support, and supported housing for people with mental health needs. Funding can be used for new builds, refurbishment, or essential equipment, helping organisations improve access to services, enhance quality and range of provision, and strengthen long-term sustainability.
Who is it for? Registered charities or local authorities in the UK (or equivalent), typically with a ‘Good’ rating from regulators such as the CQC or Ofsted where applicable. Projects must be capital-based, with at least £50,000 in capital costs and a minimum funding shortfall of £25,000.
Deadline: Stage 1 closes 1st July 2026
Other
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026-2027 Round 2
Funding for UK businesses to collaborate with universities, research organisations, or Catapults to deliver innovation projects that embed academic expertise into commercial settings.
What is it? Innovate UK’s KTP programme funds partnerships between a UK business and a knowledge base partner (university, RTO or Catapult). A dedicated associate works within the business to deliver a strategic project, transferring academic expertise into areas such as AI, engineering, digital, or advanced manufacturing to support innovation and growth.
Who is it for? UK registered businesses working with a UK knowledge base partner. The application must be led by the academic or research organisation.
Deadline: 24th June 2026
National Materials Innovation Programme: Feasibility Studies Round 2
Early-stage funding for UK materials innovation projects accelerating industrial application.
What is it? Funding programme supporting feasibility studies and early-stage innovation in advanced materials. It focuses on improving, developing or deploying new or enhanced materials with the potential to solve industrial challenges and deliver performance, efficiency or sustainability gains. Projects must align with priority growth themes and demonstrate clear end-use applications in key UK industrial sectors.
Who is it for? UK-registered businesses working in materials science, advanced manufacturing, engineering or related innovation sectors, typically in collaboration with end users or supply chain partners.
Deadline: 24th June 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.
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