Innovate UK Business Connect: every grant open right now (March 2026)
21 Innovate UK Business Connect grants open in March 2026 - funding for tech, defence & research projects with deadlines through September.
Innovate UK Business Connect funds innovation projects across technology, defence, and research commercialisation. They support small businesses, startups, and research organisations looking to develop new products or solve specific industry challenges.
March 2026 brings 21 open funding opportunities with deadlines ranging from this month through to September. Here's what's available:
All open grants at a glance
| Grant | What it funds | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countering Illegal Use of UAS Around Prisons | Anti-drone technology for sensitive sites | Contact funder | 31 March 2026 |
| Royal Society Industry Fellowships Round 2 | Scientists moving between industry and academia | Contact funder | 1 April 2026 |
| ARIA: Enduring Atmospheric Platforms | Equipment platforms that stay airborne in fixed locations | Contact funder | 2 April 2026 |
| Celtic Sea Marine Monitoring | Sea farm monitoring systems | Contact funder | 7 April 2026 |
| Textile Waste Solutions Southwest Wales | Turning textile waste into new products | Contact funder | 7 April 2026 |
| Gas Network Methane Reduction | Solutions to cut methane emissions from gas operations | Contact funder | 20 April 2026 |
| Bracken Control Wales | Environmental bracken control methods | Contact funder | 24 April 2026 |
| AI Champions: Frontier AI Phase 1 | Testing advanced AI and machine learning | Up to £175,000 | 29 April 2026 |
| Smart Assistant for Security Researchers | Personal assistant tools for security work | 12 weeks funding | 7 May 2026 |
| Defence Innovation: Operations Phase 3 | Defence technology solutions | Contact funder | 12 May 2026 |
| ICURe Discover Sprint July | Commercialising research ideas | Contact funder | 13 May 2026 |
| EPSRC Materials Innovation | Materials research with business partners | Share of £7.5m | 14 May 2026 |
| ESA Phi-Lab UK | Space technology commercialisation | Contact funder | 15 May 2026 |
| Royal Society Short Industry Fellowships | Early career researcher support | Contact funder | 28 May 2026 |
| Frontier AI Discovery | AI feasibility studies | Share of £2.5m | 10 June 2026 |
| Clean Maritime Demonstration 7 | Clean shipping technology trials | Contact funder | 15 July 2026 |
| ICURe Discover Sprint September | Commercialising research ideas | Contact funder | 20 August 2026 |
| ICURe Women Entrepreneurs | Market discovery for women entrepreneurs | Up to £2,500 | 4 September 2026 |
Grants worth your attention
AI Champions: Frontier AI Phase 1
This gives UK SMEs up to £175,000 to test advanced AI ideas, covering up to 70% of project costs. You need to demonstrate how your AI solution could create commercial value. The focus is on frontier AI technologies that push current boundaries.
Countering Illegal Use of UAS Around Prisons
Develop technology to stop illegal drones around prisons and sensitive sites. This is a specific defence challenge with a tight 31 March 2026 deadline. You'll need proven expertise in counter-drone technology or related security systems.
Gas Network Methane Reduction
Cadent Gas wants innovative solutions to cut methane emissions from their network operations. This focuses specifically on reducing purging and venting emissions. If you work in environmental technology or gas systems, this could be a good fit.
EPSRC Materials Innovation Partnerships
£7.5 million total funding for materials innovation projects, but you must work with both business and academic partners. This is primarily aimed at research organisations with industry connections rather than standalone SMEs.
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 7
Funds feasibility studies, testing, and real-world trials of clean maritime technologies. This covers the full development cycle from concept to demonstration. Marine technology companies and environmental solution providers should consider this.
ICURe Discover for Women Entrepreneurs
An 8-week online programme offering up to £2,500 for market discovery activities. This is specifically designed for women entrepreneurs looking to commercialise research or innovative ideas. The funding covers customer discovery and market validation work.
Textile Waste Solutions Southwest Wales
Choose2Reuse works with 100 charity shops and needs help turning textile waste into new products. This is a specific regional challenge focused on Southwest Wales. You'll need experience in circular economy solutions or textile processing.
Before you apply
Match the challenge brief exactly. Innovate UK Business Connect often funds specific industry challenges with detailed requirements. Your solution must directly address what they're asking for, not a general version of the problem.
Show commercial potential early. Even for feasibility studies, you need to demonstrate how your innovation could become a viable product or service. Include market size, potential customers, and revenue projections in your application.
Partner strategically. Many grants require or favour partnerships between businesses and research organisations. Start building these relationships before the deadline, not during your application week.
Prepare for due diligence. Successful applicants face detailed financial and technical reviews. Have your company accounts, IP position, and technical specifications ready before you apply.
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