Small business grants: what is open now

Up to £350,000National (UK-wide)

UK Defence Innovation Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 2

UK Defence Innovation

Funding of up to £350,000 for up to 12 months (or £150,000 for testing-only proposals) to address security challenges faced by government. UK and international suppliers, from start-ups to universities, can apply. Read the full details and apply through the link on the Innovate UK Business Connect opportunity page. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/uk-defence-innovation-security-open-call-2026-cycle-2/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

£10,000 - £20,000National (UK-wide)

Arts Council England Music Creators Growth Fund

Arts Council England

Grants of £10,000 to £20,000 for professional music creators (artists, bands, composers, DJs, producers, songwriters) to grow their careers over up to 18 months. At least 25% cash match funding is needed. UK-based music creators with three years of practice and at least £5,000 music income in a year can apply. Those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can apply only for international activity. Get an approved profile on the Arts Council grants system (up to 10 working days), then apply by 29 October 2026. Round Two runs 6 January to 3 February 2027. Official source: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/music-growth-package/who-we-support-music-creators. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: AI-enhanced x-ray imaging for bomb disposal

Innovate UK Business Connect

HMGCC Co-Creation, the government engineering partnership behind national security challenges, wants a machine-learning solution that helps engineers identify and understand electronic components using only x-ray images. Bomb disposal operatives sometimes use x-rays to find the electronic trigger of a suspected explosive device, which is hard when circuits are complex, images are unclear, or tripwires and anti-tamper measures are present. This is a funded 12-week challenge, run as a contract. The total budget is up to £60,000 excluding VAT, and up to two proposals may be funded. HMGCC pays for time and materials, overheads and other indirect costs, and successful teams must deliver a demonstrator at Technology Readiness Level 5 within the project. Relevant skills include applied research, AI, computer vision, data science, machine learning, non-destructive testing and software development. No security clearance is needed. Applications opened on 28 September 2026 and close on 29 October 2026. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/hmgcc-co-creation-challenge-ai-enhanced-x-ray-imaging-for-bomb-disposal/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

European Space Agency: Space For Sustainable Industry and Digital Business Transformation

Innovate UK Business Connect

This European Space Agency contest connects companies building space-enabled services with large industry partners who have real problems to solve. The challenge owners are Coca-Cola, P&G, Galp and Tomorrowland/Love Tomorrow. You respond to one of their published challenges by proposing a six-month Proof-of-concept Study. The challenges cover water resilience, security and enterprise risk, renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, consumer insight, temporary-city operations, mobility, logistics and immersive experiences. Topics include, but are not limited to, water resilience, environmental stewardship, digital twins, immersive experiences, sustainable logistics and supply chains, and consumer insights. Winning teams are offered a Cooperative Agreement to carry out their proposed study. They also get direct access to the corporate partners. This lets you test your solution against real operational needs and move towards commercial adoption, with the partners acting as both challenge owners and potential customers. The call opened on 17 September 2026 and closes on 30 October 2026 at 4:00pm. The page does not state an award value. Teams must be based in one of the listed ESA-eligible countries, which include the United Kingdom. UK teams from every region of the UK can apply. One practical point to plan for. Your application must respond directly to one of the published challenges, or it will not be considered. You will also need Written Authorisation for ESA funding from the National Delegation of each country where your industrial partners are located. This is needed for the Full Proposal, and the page strongly advises contacting the delegations as soon as possible. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/european-space-agency-space-for-sustainable-industry-and-digital-business-transformation/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

£10,000National (UK-wide)

eBay Up and Running Grants

eBay UK

Up to 20 eBay sellers win a £10,000 cash grant plus six months of account management, to grow their business or support young talent. eBay sellers aged 18 to 30, or businesses that invest in young people through jobs, apprenticeships or placements, can apply. Apply on the eBay Seller Centre page by 5pm on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/grow-your-sales/up-and-running-grants. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

EIT Culture & Creativity: Innovation Projects 2026

Innovate UK Business Connect

EIT Culture & Creativity is backing close-to-market innovations that are ready to move from TRL 7 to full market deployment. The call covers three sectors. In architecture, it looks at circular construction, climate adaptation and socially inclusive design. In audio-visual media, it looks at responsible AI, IP monetisation and European competitiveness. In fashion, it looks at circularity, digitalisation and competitiveness. The process has two stages. At stage 1, you submit a short proposal setting out your innovation concept, your TRL 7 maturity, and early market, IP and regulatory considerations. Up to 30 companies are then selected to receive a fixed lump sum of €20,000. You use it to build a Business Development Plan covering market validation, IP and regulatory mapping, and a commercialisation strategy. At stage 2, you submit that plan with a full project proposal. Up to 11 projects can then receive up to 70% of eligible costs, to a maximum of €900,000 per project over 18 months. You must cover the remaining costs yourselves. Funding at this point includes Revenue Sharing or SAFE mechanisms. UK companies are eligible. Stage 1 suits a single startup, scale-up, SME or larger company working in or serving these sectors. Universities, research organisations and cultural institutions cannot apply on their own. The call opened on 25 September 2026 and closes at 5pm on 30 October 2026. One practical point: stage 2 needs a consortium of two to three organisations, including a commercialisation partner. The page encourages you to find that partner early. If you need help forming a consortium, you can contact Innovate UK Business Connect's Global or Creative Industries teams. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/eit-culture-creativity-innovation-projects-2026/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Up to £5.8mEngland, Wales

Centre of Excellence Phase 2: Sector Capability, Capacity and Skills

Department for Education

The Department for Education is looking for a supplier, or a consortium, to run Phase 2 of the Centre of Excellence for Children's Social Care (CSC) Data and Digital. This listing covers the Sector Capability, Capacity and Skills strand. In 2025, the department appointed a consortium to scope and design the Centre. That was Phase 1. The consortium spoke with local authorities and wider sector stakeholders to identify opportunities, challenges and risks in CSC data and digital work. It then produced recommendations and a delivery plan to support delivery and scale-up. Phase 2 is about putting that plan into action. The Centre will help local authorities improve their data and digital maturity in relation to children's social care services. The successful supplier or consortium will deliver the action and delivery plan from Phase 1. This suits organisations, or groups of organisations working together, that can deliver at that level for local authorities. The page does not state an award amount. The application window opened on 2 October 2026. It closes at 11:59pm on 30 October 2026, so there are two weeks left from today. One practical point: the page itself gives very little detail on eligibility and how to apply. It points you to the application pack and the published documents, so you will need those to understand the full requirements before you start an application. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/centre-of-excellence-phase-2---sector-capability-capacity-and-skills-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

iX Challenge - Vibration monitoring of offshore wind turbine foundations during construction and commissioning

Innovate UK Business Connect

This is an Innovation Exchange challenge run by Innovate UK Business Connect for ScottishPower Renewables (SPR). SPR wants a simple, low-cost, standalone device that logs vibration inside the transition piece of an offshore wind turbine foundation. It should record on its own from foundation installation until the turbine is commissioned and permanent monitoring takes over. The device must work without turbine or grid power or live data links. It must suit both monopile and jacket foundations and store time stamped data for at least six months. Technicians will collect the data by hand, then the units will be recovered and reused on the next project. SPR plans to fit one to every foundation, so low cost at volume matters more than the price of a single unit. Cables are out of scope. There is no cash grant. Successful applicants will get the chance to pitch to SPR. Selected solutions may be benchmarked on an operational wind farm alongside existing monitoring instruments, with possible further adoption if trials go well. The page says this is not guaranteed and is solely at SPR's discretion. The challenge opened on 15 September 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on 30 October 2026. Finalists will be selected and notified on 30 November 2026. One practical point: the application form asks for company information and three answers of up to 300 words each, so allow time to write them clearly. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/ix-challenge-vibration-monitoring-of-offshore-wind-turbine-foundations/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.

And 43 more in all open grants below.

Added this week (28)

£1,000 - £100,000National (UK-wide)

Arts Council of Wales Major Productions

Arts Council of Wales

£100,000 - £300,000Wales

Awards of £100,000 to £300,000 for ambitious, large-scale productions of the highest quality, from a £600,000 budget. Only organisations can apply. Ask an officer for a form at least ten days before the deadline. Apply by 1pm on 18 November 2026. There is one deadline a year. Official source: https://arts.wales/funding/organisations/major-productions. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline · 26 Nov 2026

Music Growth Fund

Arts Council England

The Music Growth Fund gives music businesses and organisations across the UK between £1,000 and £100,000 to grow, through two strands with different deadlines. For £1,000 to £40,000, the current round closes at 11.59pm on 26 November 2026, and you need at least 25% of the budget as cash match funding. Applications that miss it go into the next round, closing 7 January 2027. For £40,001 to £100,000, the next round opens on 23 November 2026 and closes at 11.59pm on 15 January 2027. You need at least 50% cash match funding and a completed finance template. Festivals, promoters, managers, labels, studios, rehearsal spaces, publishers, grassroots venues and sector support organisations can apply. You need an approved profile on the Arts Council grants system first. Official source: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/music-growth-package/music-growth-fund-general-guidance. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline · 1 Dec 2026

iX Challenge: Smart control solutions for domestic hybrid heating systems

Innovate UK Business Connect

Cadent and Innovate UK are looking for smart control solutions for domestic hybrid heating systems. Hybrid systems combine electric and gas heating to cut bills, reduce network costs, and lower carbon emissions. They want solutions that are safe, customer-centred, and able to work with other systems. The deadline to apply is 1 December 2026.

Deadline · 1 Dec 2026

EIT Urban Mobility: SME Market Expansion Open Call 2027

Innovate UK Business Connect

£200 - £2,000South West England

This call supports small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that want to grow by expanding into new markets or regions. It is designed to help businesses scale up solutions that have already worked well. The deadline to apply is 1 December 2026. No funding amounts have been published yet.

Deadline · 1 Dec 2026

SWEF Enterprise Grants (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly)

Cornwall Community Foundation (SWEF)

Grants for young people starting or growing a business: equipment for new revenue or proven demand, materials for a new product line, prototypes, websites and booking systems, training and product development. Not salaries, rent, debt or new computers. Amount: £200 to £2,000. Applications by 1 December 2026; assessed monthly. Who can apply: Residents of Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly aged 18 to 30 with a clear business idea or trading for under two years. How to apply: Register on the Cornwall Community Foundation grant application page to receive your application form link, check the general eligibility criteria and Application Process and Guidance, then apply before the deadline. Official source: https://cornwallcommunityfoundation.com/grants/swef/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline · 2 Dec 2026

Growth Cohorts: Next-gen low carbon concrete cohort entry Round 2

Innovate UK

£54,399 - £54,400England

Innovate UK is inviting UK registered businesses to join a cohort focused on decarbonising concrete. Businesses in the cohort will develop solutions to reduce carbon in concrete production. You will receive funding and sector-specific support to build and deliver innovation and growth plans. Funding awards are around £54,399 to £54,400 per business. The deadline to apply is 2 December 2026.

Guide

Checked 21 October 2026 against the official sources linked.

Grants usually fund a project, not running costs

Funders want to see what will change because of their money: a product developed, jobs created, carbon cut or skills gained. Expect to explain the project, what it costs and what it will achieve, and to report back afterwards. Many business grants pay only part of the cost, and you fund the rest yourself. That share is called match funding.

Source: GOV.UK: Finance and support for your business

Innovation competitions

Innovate UK runs competitions for businesses developing new products, processes and services. Most are for UK-registered companies, and some need a partner such as another business or a university. Competitions open and close through the year and each one sets its own rules, so read the scope and eligibility before you start.

Source: Innovation Funding Service: open competitions

Local and regional schemes

Councils, combined authorities and regional bodies run smaller schemes for businesses in their area, often for equipment, digital tools, energy efficiency or taking on staff. They change often, the budgets can run out early, and they are easy to miss. Use the nation pages linked below to see what is open where you are.

Source: GOV.UK: Finance and support for your business

Sole traders and new businesses

Sole traders can apply for fewer grants than limited companies, but some schemes accept them and local start-up schemes often do. If you are starting out and cannot find a grant, a Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan for starting or growing a business, and it comes with free mentoring.

Source: Start Up Loans (British Business Bank), GOV.UK: Set up a business

Who funds this

Funder	Open grants here
Innovate UK Business Connect	34
Innovate UK	10
British Film Institute	9
CITB	7
Arts Council England	6
Energy Saving Trust	6
Growth Platform	5
Arts Council of Wales	3

87 different funders in total. Where a maximum award is stated, the middle value is £67,500.

By grant size

Largest award	Open grants
Up to £2,000	11
£2,001 to £10,000	11
£10,001 to £100,000	42
Over £100,000	42
Amount varies or not stated	65

All open grants (171)

No deadline listed

Check the funder's current application window before you apply.

From £10,000North East England, East of England

Northumbrian Water Branch Out Landscape Connectivity Fund

Northumbrian Water Group

Grants for landscape-scale projects that restore or enhance priority habitats, building resilience in the natural environment. Match funding is required. Amount: From £10,000. Rolling: application process open. Who can apply: Organisations running landscape-scale habitat projects in the Northumbrian Water or Essex and Suffolk Water operating areas (see the eligibility leaflet). How to apply: Download the eligibility leaflet and editable application form for your area from the fund page, then email the completed form to Branchout@NWL.co.uk. Official source: https://www.nwg.co.uk/responsibility/environment/branch-out-funds/landscape-connectivity/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

£500 - £2,000North West England

SWEF Enterprise Fund (Merseyside)

Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside (SWEF)

The SWEF Enterprise Fund helps young people in Merseyside get a new business going. You can apply for a start-up grant of up to £500 or a business grant of up to £2,000, and you don't have to pay it back. You need to be 18 to 30, live in Merseyside, and be launching a business or running one that has traded for less than three years. It is aimed especially at people who are not in education, work or training, or who are on benefits. There is no deadline. You start with an expression of interest form, then SWEF may invite you to a short online call before deciding. Official source: https://cfmerseyside.org.uk/grants/swef-enterprise-fund. Last checked by GrantMatch on 21 October 2026.

Up to £2,000East of England

SWEF Fund (Cambridgeshire)

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (SWEF)

The SWEF Fund helps young people in Cambridgeshire with the costs of a new business. There is a start-up grant of up to £500 and a business grant of up to £2,000, and neither has to be paid back. You need to be 18 to 30, live in Cambridgeshire, and have a business that has traded for less than two and a half years. You'll need to show you have already put time and effort into getting it going. The fund is rolling, so you can apply at any time. Official source: https://www.cambscf.org.uk/funds/swef/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 21 October 2026.

£500 - £10,000North East England

Ray Wind Fund Community Benefit Fund (Northumberland)

Ray Windfarm Fund CIC

The Ray Wind Fund Community Benefit Fund gives £500 to £10,000 for projects that help communities around the Ray wind farm in Northumberland. Larger amounts can be considered. Charities, community groups and businesses can apply if their project brings a clear benefit to the local area, which covers parishes such as Kirkwhelpington, Otterburn, Elsdon, Corsenside, Birtley and Bavington. Start with the enquiry form. The board meets up to six times a year, so there is no single deadline. Official source: https://www.raywindfund.co.uk/the-funds/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 21 October 2026.

Funding amount not listedNational (UK-wide)

Help to Grow: Management (UK)

Department for Business and Trade

Help to Grow: Management is a subsidised course for leaders of small and medium-sized businesses across the UK. You pay a £750 joining fee and the government covers the rest. It covers leadership, marketing, staff and finance, with one-to-one mentoring and help to build a growth plan. You need 5 to 249 employees and more than a year of trading. Social enterprises can join, but charities cannot. Businesses with 10 or more staff can send two people. Official source: https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/help-to-grow-management-uk. Last checked by GrantMatch on 17 October 2026.

BFI Development Funding

British Film Institute

BFI Development Funding awards National Lottery money to help develop original live action and animated feature films. It is for distinctive fiction projects from adventurous storytellers, across a range of genres, approaches and perspectives. The BFI wants to support a wide range of voices and backgrounds. The aim is to help filmmakers and their producers develop a project to the point where it is viable to seek production funding. This is money for the early stage, before a film moves into production. Producers apply through their production company. The company must be a limited company registered at Companies House. Full eligibility criteria are in the funding guidelines, so read those first. Applications are open all year round, apart from an annual closure window from 1 April to 30 April. The BFI may add other closures during periods of high work intensity or holiday dates. It says these will be clearly signposted ahead of time, so plan your submission with that in mind. You apply online. Read the funding guidelines in full first, as the application link is inside them. If you have questions about the funding or your application, you can email the BFI. Help is also available if you need support to apply, as the BFI says it is committed to making its funding accessible to all. One practical point: if you are successful, you will need to prominently credit BFI National Lottery funding and thank National Lottery players. The BFI will share more details once an award has been made. Official source: https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/create-films-tv-or-new-formats-storytelling/development-funding. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

More grants

Up to £350,000National (UK-wide)

UK Defence Innovation Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 2

UK Defence Innovation

£10,000 - £20,000National (UK-wide)

Arts Council England Music Creators Growth Fund

Arts Council England

HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: AI-enhanced x-ray imaging for bomb disposal

Innovate UK Business Connect

European Space Agency: Space For Sustainable Industry and Digital Business Transformation

Innovate UK Business Connect

£10,000National (UK-wide)

eBay Up and Running Grants

eBay UK

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EIT Culture & Creativity: Innovation Projects 2026

Innovate UK Business Connect

Up to £5.8mEngland, Wales

Centre of Excellence Phase 2: Sector Capability, Capacity and Skills

Department for Education

iX Challenge - Vibration monitoring of offshore wind turbine foundations during construction and commissioning

Innovate UK Business Connect

Up to £15,000Northern Ireland

Deadline · 2 Nov 2026

Invest NI Groundwork for Growth

Invest Northern Ireland

Up to £15,000 in grant support for market, product or skills development, plus export workshops, for Northern Ireland businesses that can sell outside NI. NI businesses that are not Invest NI clients, with turnover under £2 million or external sales under £250,000, can apply. Check eligibility and apply online before 12 noon on 2 November 2026. Official source: https://www.investni.com/support-for-business/support-for-start-ups/groundwork-for-growth. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline · 3 Nov 2026

Ambition North Wales 4G+ Industry Grant Scheme - Full Application

Ambition North Wales

Up to £1mWales

The Ambition North Wales 4G+ Industry Grant Scheme subsidises mobile network operators, neutral hosts and infrastructure providers to deploy or upgrade 4G and 5G infrastructure in total and partial not-spots across North Wales, where commercial investment alone does not add up. It is part of the 4G+ Connected Key Sites and Corridors Project. The fund totals £4.6 million, with more possible depending on take-up. Grants cover up to 65% of eligible capital costs, and no organisation can receive more than £1 million per round. Applicants provide at least 35% match funding and cash-flow delivery, because grants are paid in arrears. Only capital costs (such as columns, fibre, power connections and radio equipment) are eligible, and only for new activity. This listing is the full application stage, which is only for organisations invited after a successful expression of interest. The full application window opened on 6 October 2026 and closes at 4pm on 3 November 2026. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/ambition-north-wales-4g-industry-grant-scheme---full-application-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund drawdown five

Innovate UK

DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) is a government-led programme to transform the UK automotive industry. In this Scale-up Fund drawdown, UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £150 million to create scale-up manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle technologies. It is run by Innovate UK with the Department for Business and Trade and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK. The page gives the total fund but does not state a minimum or maximum award. The competition closes at 11:00am UK time on 4 November 2026. You can apply alone or in a collaboration. To lead, your organisation must be a UK registered business. Non-UK businesses can apply but must set up a UK registered business, with UK staff in place, before any grant is awarded, and that business must deliver the project. Official source: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/drive35-scale-up-fund-drawdown-five/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

£20,000 - £50,000National (UK-wide)

CfI: Battery innovation for dual use & defence Phase 1

Innovate UK, UKRI, BIST

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, through Innovate UK, is investing up to £2 million (including VAT) in this Contracts for Innovation competition on battery innovation for dual use and defence. It aims to adapt battery technologies that are maturing in the civil market to defence challenges, strengthen UK battery manufacturing and secure critical dual-use supply chains. This is Phase 1 of a possible two-phase competition. It is run as a contract, not a grant. Each contract is worth £20,000 to £50,000 including VAT, and projects must start by 1 January 2027, last up to three months and end by 31 March 2027. Projects must focus on battery cell manufacturing, or battery pack design and manufacturing, suited to a defence environment, as industrial research. Phase 2 is not yet confirmed and may be open to new applicants. Applications opened on 28 September 2026 and close at 11am on 4 November 2026. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/cfi-battery-innovation-for-dual-use--defence-phase-1-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

£100,000 - £3mNational (UK-wide), England

Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 11, business and non-academic

Innovate UK Business Connect

Future Leaders Fellowships Round 11 backs talented individuals with the potential to become future leaders in research and innovation. This strand is for fellows hosted by business and non-academic organisations. It is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and run by Innovate UK. Up to £110 million is available across the round, and a proportion of that supports this strand, subject to enough high quality applications being received. You can request a grant of between £100,000 and £3 million. Up to 70% of costs can be covered, depending on project type and business size. Projects last four years, with an option to extend for a further three years, and must not start before October 2027. Fellows also get access to tailored opportunities to build their leadership skills. Proposals are welcome from all areas of research and innovation. That includes arts, humanities and social sciences, the five critical technologies in the UK's Science and Technology Framework, and multidisciplinary work. Your project must go beyond business as usual and show clear novelty. It needs a clear leadership development plan and explicit host commitments, such as protected time, access to facilities and senior mentorship. You do not need a PhD, and researchers from outside the UK can apply with an eligible UK host. Applications close at 11:00am on 4 November 2026. Competition is tough. Innovate UK says experience from similar competitions suggests a 13% chance of success. If your total project cost is likely to exceed £1.4 million, you should email the fellowship team before applying. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/future-leaders-fellowships-round-11-business-and-non-academic/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

See all 2 rounds of Future Leaders Fellowships

International Bilateral Fund - Call 3

Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

£1m - £1.5mEngland

The International Bilateral Fund (IBF) is run by the UK Space Agency. Call 3 backs projects that strengthen the UK space sector's international partnerships. It is open now and closes at 3:00pm on 4 November 2026. Each project can receive up to £1.5m in UK Space Agency grant funding. Projects can run for up to 18 months and must start on 1 April 2027. You must include an international partner and matched contributions, in line with UK subsidy control guidelines. The project must be led by a UK organisation. That can be any type, including university-led research and industry-led commercial proposals. The Agency particularly encourages partnerships with Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan and the USA. Other countries, including emerging space nations, are also welcome. You need to show how the partnership supports both UK and partner country space priorities. A clear contribution to economic growth is a core assessment criterion. Proposals are welcome from any area of the UK space economy. Priority areas are satellite communications, assured access to space, in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing, and space domain awareness. One caveat to plan for: each lead organisation can submit only one application, whatever type of organisation it is. Successful projects must also pass due diligence checks on company viability and national security. Decisions are expected in February 2027. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/international-bilateral-fund---call-3-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.

Up to £1.5mNational (UK-wide)

UK Space Agency International Bilateral Fund: Call 3

UK Space Agency

Grants of up to £1.5 million per project to build international partnerships on shared space priorities. UK organisations working with international partners can apply. Read the full details and apply through the link on the Innovate UK Business Connect opportunity page. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/uk-space-agency-international-bilateral-fund-call-3/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline · 5 Nov 2026

HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Hidden stab vests for women

Innovate UK Business Connect

+1 related call in this programme

HMGCC Co-Creation wants discreet, wearable stab-resistant body armour designed specifically for women. Close protection officers need to blend in while protecting themselves against attack, and most hidden protective garments on the market are designed for men. This is a funded challenge, run as a contract. The total budget is up to £60,000 excluding VAT, and up to two proposals may be funded. HMGCC pays for time, materials, overheads and other indirect costs. Solutions should protect against sharp bladed weapons, be designed for women from the outset, and reach at least Technology Readiness Level 5. Relevant fields include applied research, healthcare, manufacturing, materials science, mechanical engineering, physical security and wearable technology. No security clearance is needed. Applications opened on 5 October 2026 and close at midnight at the start of 5 November 2026, so submit by the end of 4 November. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/hmgcc-co-creation-challenge-hidden-stab-vests-for-women/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline · 5 Nov 2026

Expression of interest: First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) builder: programme entry

Innovate UK

Up to £315,000England

Innovate UK is offering support worth up to £315,000 for UK-registered businesses. The funding is for developing a climate tech First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) project. FOAK means a genuinely new product, process, or technology that has not been built before at scale. If you succeed at this stage, you could be invited to apply for a larger grant in phase two.

Deadline · 5 Nov 2026

European Space Agency: The Arctic Region: Safety, Navigation and Operations

Innovate UK Business Connect

This grant supports businesses developing space-based solutions for safe maritime navigation in the Arctic. Melting ice is increasing ship traffic and creating new hazards. Innovate UK Business Connect is inviting applications for projects that address these challenges. The deadline to apply is 5 November 2026.

iX Challenge: Secure, Cost-Effective Use of Cloud-Based AI Tools in the Defence Supply Chain

Innovate UK Business Connect

+4 related calls in this programme

This challenge is looking for innovative ways to use cloud-based AI tools in defence engineering and manufacturing. The solution must be secure and protect sensitive defence data. It is run by Innovate UK Business Connect as part of their iX Challenge programme. The deadline to apply is 6 November 2026.

iX Challenge: Reducing blood-cell loss and measurement variability in field-deployable microfluidic diagnostic cartridges

Innovate UK Business Connect

This Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge from Innovate UK is set by Beyond Blood Diagnostics, a NATO DIANA company developing portable, cartridge-based blood analysis that gives a full blood count from a finger-prick sample without a laboratory. The company wants ways to reduce the loss of blood cells, and the measurement variability this causes, as samples flow through the microchannels of its field-deployable diagnostic cartridges. Consistent run-to-run results matter because, for defence radiation biodosimetry, repeated counts are used to track how fast lymphocytes fall relative to neutrophils. Cells sticking selectively inside the channel can change both the count and that ratio, and could change a casualty's triage category. The successful applicant, chosen by the company, can apply for up to £60,000 of Innovate UK funding for a project of up to three months, starting in March 2027 and finishing by 31 May 2027. Applications opened on 5 October 2026 and close at 11am on 6 November 2026. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/ix-challenge-reducing-blood-cell-loss-and-measurement-variability-in-field-deployable-microfluidic-diagnostic-cartridges/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

iX Challenge: Resilient High-Altitude Communications, Navigation and Mission Connectivity for Persistent Autonomous Aircraft

Innovate UK Business Connect

This Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge from Innovate UK is set by Advanced Integrated Technologies Ltd (AiT), a UK aerospace and defence engineering company. AiT is developing STRATIS, a recoverable autonomous aircraft designed to fly at about 60,000 to 70,000 feet for long missions such as persistent communications, surveillance, environmental and maritime observation, and infrastructure monitoring. AiT wants reliable, resilient technology with low size, weight and power (SWaP) for command and control, navigation and mission-data connectivity in the stratosphere. It is particularly interested in seamless handover between communications links, networks, ground stations or cooperating aircraft. It welcomes ideas from communications, aerospace, telecoms, autonomy, PNT, RF and software, including technology first built for other uses. It is not looking for a new satellite constellation or major ground infrastructure. If selected, you will be invited to apply for up to £60,000 of grant funding through the Innovation Funding Service for a project starting on 1 March 2027 and finishing by 31 May 2027. Applications opened on 5 October 2026 and close at 5pm on 6 November 2026. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/ix-challenge-resilient-high-altitude-communications-navigation-and-mission-connectivity-for-persistent-autonomous-aircraft/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

iX Challenge: Extending protection to personnel travelling in armoured vehicles under drone attack

Innovate UK Business Connect

This Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge from Innovate UK is set by VSS, which has made safety-critical blast-mitigating seats for armoured vehicles since 2009. VSS wants to improve the survivability of personnel in armoured vehicles under drone attack by extending protection above and possibly to the sides of the seated occupant, building on seats designed to NATO STANAG 4569 protection levels. Shortlisted applicants pitch to VSS. The winner, chosen by VSS, can then apply for up to £60,000 of grant funding for a three-month project to start developing the solution. Solutions should use proven materials such as Kevlar, consider emerging materials, fit existing vehicle layouts, be low-cost and scalable, and be capable of meeting MOD and NATO standards. Redesigning the vehicle or replacing the existing seat is out of scope. Applications opened on 5 October 2026 and close at 5pm on 6 November 2026. Projects must finish by 31 March 2027. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/ix-challenge-extending-protection-to-personnel-travelling-in-armoured-vehicles-under-drone-attack/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

iX Challenge: Distributed Smartphone-Based Detection and Mapping of PNT Signal Interference

Innovate UK Business Connect

This Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge from Innovate UK is set by a company in North West England. It wants an innovative, scalable Android-based capability that uses authorised smartphones to detect, geolocate and map deliberate radio-frequency interference with positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services, such as GPS jamming, in near real time. Defence, security and emergency services increasingly rely on PNT data. Fixed sensors, vehicle-mounted kit and satellite observation all have gaps, and a dense network of dedicated sensors would be costly. Smartphones that personnel already carry could act as a distributed sensor network. The solution should estimate when and where an interference event happens, how far it extends and how long it lasts, tell systematic interference apart from a faulty handset or local effects, and give authorised users confidence-rated alerts and maps. Successful applicants can get up to £60,000 of Innovate UK funding to demonstrate their solution over three months, starting on 1 March 2027 and finishing by 31 May 2027. Applications opened on 5 October 2026 and close at 5pm on 6 November 2026. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/ix-challenge-distributed-smartphone-based-detection-and-mapping-of-pnt-signal-interference/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

iX Challenge: Next-Generation Electronics for UK Bathymetric Sonar

Innovate UK Business Connect

£996,000 - £997,000England

This Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge from Innovate UK is set by a UK marine technology company with 48 years' experience in sonar. Its GeoSwath interferometric sonar systems give simultaneous bathymetry and side-scan data for hydrographic surveys, seabed mapping, dredging, infrastructure inspection and uncrewed survey vessels. The electronics that acquire and process GeoSwath's multiple phase-sensitive acoustic channels were designed more than 15 years ago. Several critical components are now obsolete, and manufacture of new systems has been paused until replacement electronics are developed. The company wants a next-generation acquisition and signal-processing platform built with currently available, supportable technology that matches or improves on the existing sonar's performance. The selected applicant can apply for up to £60,000 of grant funding for a three-month development project, starting on 1 March 2027 and finishing by 31 May 2027. Applications opened on 7 October 2026 and close at 5pm on 6 November 2026. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/ix-challenge-next-generation-electronics-for-uk-bathymetric-sonar/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline · 8 Nov 2026

DCMS Place-Based Philanthropy Community of Practice

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is offering up to £997,000 to one organisation or consortium to set up and run a national Community of Practice for place-based giving initiatives across England. The money also pays for a programme of capacity-building support, including onward grants to those initiatives. The aim is to strengthen the capacity, skills and long-term sustainability of place-based giving initiatives, help them attract and grow philanthropic investment, and gather learning that supports the wider development of place-based philanthropy. You should show how you would support collaboration, peer learning and networking across England, with a focus on places facing higher levels of deprivation and community need. DCMS expects you to engage initiatives from every region of England. This suits experienced organisations in place-based philanthropy, charitable giving, philanthropy infrastructure, community development, social investment or the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Only one award will be made. Delivery runs from November 2026 to March 2029. Funding is split by year: up to £330,333 in 2026-27, up to £333,333 in 2027-28 and up to £333,334 in 2028-29. Applications are open now and close at 11:59pm on 8 November 2026. One practical caveat: money not spent by 31 March in each financial year cannot be carried forward. Payments are made quarterly in arrears, against spend you can evidence. There is no funding for capital costs. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/dcms-place-based-philanthropy-community-of-practice-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Deadline · 11 Nov 2026

ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant: Round 12

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

£2,500England

The ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant gives a farming, growing or forestry business in England £2,500 to pay an external Project Facilitator who helps you put together a Full ADOPT Grant application. It is part of Defra's Farming Innovation Programme, delivered with Innovate UK, and Defra is putting up to £100,000 into this round. The idea is to make ADOPT funding easier to reach for farmers who are new to Innovate UK's application system. Full ADOPT grants fund on-farm trials and demonstrations of new ideas, so if you have something you want to test on your farm but find the paperwork daunting, this is the route in. The facilitator must be registered in the Innovate UK Business Connect database. In your application you add £2,500 under 'other costs' with the facilitator's name. The money is not paid up front. You get it once you show, within three months of your grant offer, that your Full ADOPT application has been submitted for assessment. This round opened on 1 October 2026 and closes at 11am on 11 November 2026. It is competitive and has a funding limit, so not every applicant will be funded. Innovate UK also considers prior conduct, such as money owed to Innovate UK or UKRI. Charities and community interest companies cannot apply, and subcontractors are not allowed. Who it suits: commercial farmers, growers and foresters in England with an on-farm trial idea who want expert help writing a strong Full ADOPT bid (Round 10 closes 2 December 2026). Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/adopt-facilitator-support-grant-round-12-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 14 October 2026.

Deadline · 11 Nov 2026

Frontier AI: SME Champions, Phase 1

Innovate UK Business Connect

Up to £175,000England

Innovate UK's Frontier AI: SME Champions Phase 1 competition will invest up to £3.1 million in short feasibility studies for state-of-the-art AI and machine learning. It is the first phase of a three-phase pipeline to back the next generation of UK AI champions, and only successful Phase 1 projects can apply for Phase 2. Frontier AI here means systems that beat state-of-the-art benchmarks or offer genuinely new capabilities, thanks to innovation in model or system architecture, training methods, core learning algorithms or core control algorithms. Projects must show technical feasibility, generate evidence for future scale-up and commercialisation, and end with a technical whitepaper. Projects must have total costs between £150,000 and £250,000, last one to three months, start by 1 April 2027 and end by 30 June 2027. Innovate UK covers up to 70% of costs depending on business size, so the maximum grant is about £175,000. Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 11am on 11 November 2026. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/frontier-ai-sme-champions-phase-1/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Deadline · 11 Nov 2026

Teacher Development Fund

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Up to £165,000England

The Teacher Development Fund from Paul Hamlyn Foundation supports teachers to develop arts-based approaches. The aim is to create equitable classrooms where all children learn and thrive. You can apply for up to £165,000 per application. Projects should last for two academic years. The fund is open for applications now, and the deadline is 12 noon on 11 November 2026. The foundation says its funding works best when it supports people and organisations who challenge systemic injustice, focus on structural change and shift power. It also looks for work that is actively inclusive and anti-racist, puts people experiencing injustice at the centre of designing solutions, and shares learning generously with others. Some things are worth knowing before you start. The foundation only funds work that is charitable, as defined by the Charity Commission. It actively seeks to fund work outside London and across the UK. It cannot cover costs that have already been incurred. Generally its funds take four months from application to decision, so plan your project start date with that in mind. You apply through the foundation's online application system. There is a sample application form for the Teacher Development Fund that you can read before you apply. If the online portal is not accessible to you because of a disability, the foundation offers a bursary of up to £750 to help you apply. The foundation also has an online fund finder tool if you are not sure whether this is the right fund for you. Official source: https://www.phf.org.uk/funding/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.

HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Multi-Terrain Micro Robotic Systems

Innovate UK Business Connect

HMGCC Co-Creation is looking for teams who can develop a miniature, agile robotic system that works across water, land, and air. This is a 12-week funded challenge run through Innovate UK Business Connect. The deadline to apply is 12 November 2026. Funding amounts are not stated in the source.

Up to £60,000National (UK-wide)

HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Smart Glasses for Mapping

HMGCC Co-Creation

Funding to build an edge device that turns off-the-shelf smart glasses video and audio into 3D maps. Total budget up to £60,000, usually across two solution providers. UK companies and research organisations can apply. Read the full details and apply through the link on the Innovate UK Business Connect opportunity page. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/hmgcc-co-creation-challenge-smart-glasses-for-mapping/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

£10,000National (UK-wide)

Simply Business Second Act Entrepreneur Fund

Simply Business

A competition awarding £10,000 plus business coaching to five entrepreneurs aged over 40. UK residents aged over 40 who run, or want to start, a business can enter. Enter through the form on the Simply Business page before 23:59 on 12 November 2026. Official source: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/campaign/second-act-entrepreneur-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Funding amount not listedNational (UK-wide)

National Space Innovation Programme - Call 3

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

£150,000 - £2mEngland

The National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) Call 3 is run by the UK Space Agency, part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It offers co-funded grants for research and development projects in space-related technologies that have a clear target market. The aim is to catalyse investment into the UK space sector, raise Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and move ideas closer to commercial success. There are two strands. Kick Starter backs early-stage, highly disruptive ideas (TRL 1-4), and you can request between £150,000 and £1,000,000. Major Projects focuses on commercialisation and growth at higher TRLs (5-9), and you can request between £150,000 and £2,000,000. Projects can run for up to 30 months. Up to £20m is available, and the agency expects to award between 15 and 30 grants. Applications run in two stages. The call opened on 20 July 2026. The Outline Proposal deadline was 21 August 2026, and outline selection concluded on 5 October 2026. Only applicants who were successful at that stage are invited to submit a Full Proposal, and about 50 are expected to be invited. The Full Proposal deadline is 23:59 on 12 November 2026. The practical catch is that the outline stage has passed. You can only take part now if you have already been invited to submit a full proposal. Successful applicants will be told on 8 February 2027, and projects can start from 1 April 2027. The programme welcomes ideas from any part of the space sector. It particularly encourages proposals in these priority areas: Space Domain Awareness; In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing; Assured Access to Space; and Satellite Communication Technology. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/national-space-innovation-programme---call-3-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.

Deadline · 13 Nov 2026

The Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF)

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

£1m - £130mEngland

The Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) is a capital grants fund run by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It helps build UK resilience for future health emergencies. It backs the manufacture of human medicines and medical technology, including diagnostics and MedTech products. The fund has up to £520 million in capital grants. Projects must have a total eligible cost of at least £8 million. The maximum grant is 25% of project costs, and the typical grant is 10-20%. For a £100 million project, that might mean a grant of £10-20 million. It suits UK registered, wholly private sector companies, such as product developers, contract development manufacturing organisations and generics manufacturers. Previous manufacturing grant recipients can apply too, as long as the project is a different one. Your project must be in the UK, be mainly a capital investment, and need the grant to go ahead as planned. You start with an expression of interest. You can submit one at any time. To be considered in round 9, it must arrive by 12pm on 13 November 2026. Later submissions move to the next quarterly round. Eligible projects are then invited to a formal application, which includes a panel interview and due diligence checks. One thing to know: the fund is reviewed every year, so the criteria and application windows may change. The fund's overall closing date is 31 March 2030. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/life-sciences-innovative-manufacturing-fund-lsimf-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Deadline · 16 Nov 2026

KAVA Call 14 Upscaling: Raw Materials and Advanced Materials

EIT RawMaterials

Funding of €500,000 to €2.5 million per project, for up to 2.5 years, to scale up innovation in mining, materials and recycling. Co-funding is needed. Consortia including UK companies and research organisations can apply. Read the full details and apply through the link on the Innovate UK Business Connect opportunity page. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/kava-call-14-upscaling-raw-materials-advanced-materials/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

£3.8m - £4mEngland, National (UK-wide)

MDI Programme Innovation and Scale-up Hub

Innovate UK

Innovate UK will invest up to £4 million from UKRI's Manufacturing Digitalisation Innovation (MDI) programme to set up one Innovation and Scale-up Hub. The hub will make grant-funded MDI activity better targeted, higher quality and more commercially useful. It is part of a planned £35 million MDI programme that builds on £175 million of earlier investment. The hub will identify and prioritise common industrial challenges in five advanced manufacturing sectors (advanced materials, aerospace, automotive, batteries and space). It will work with representative manufacturers and with technology providers that can build widely adoptable industrial digital technology solutions. The grant request must be between £3.8 million and £4 million. The project must last 36 months, from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030. Research and technology organisations can receive 100% of costs, academic institutions 80% of full economic cost, and businesses up to 70% depending on size. Innovate UK estimates about a 30% chance of success. Applications opened on 2 October 2026 and close at 11am on 18 November 2026. Official sources: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mdi-programme-innovation-and-scale-up-hub/ and https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/mdi-programme-innovation-and-scale-up-hub/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Efficient, Structured and Controllable AI Systems

Innovate UK Business Connect

Up to £105,000England

Innovate UK will invest up to £1.66 million in short projects where UK SMEs experimentally validate prototype AI systems built on novel, reusable mechanisms for efficient, structured and controllable learning. The aim is to lay foundations for future AI that goes beyond the limits of today's architectures. The principal advance must come from something like a new learning or credit-assignment mechanism, an adaptive architecture, a causal or intervention-grounded model, a graph-native architecture, a compositional representation, or a mechanism that measurably controls an agent. If you build on an existing frontier model, your advance must be material beyond the base model. Proposals must fit one or more themes: resource and data adaptive learning; causal and intervention-grounded models; learned modular computation and routing; or geometric, equivariant and physics-structured learning. Projects must have total costs of £50,000 to £150,000, last one to three months, start by 1 April 2027 and end by 30 June 2027. Up to 70% of costs can be covered depending on business size, so the maximum grant is about £105,000. Applications opened on 12 October 2026 and close at 11am on 18 November 2026. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/efficient-structured-and-controllable-ai-systems/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.

Arts Council of Wales Major Productions

Arts Council of Wales

£100,000 - £300,000Wales