UK Grants Database
Every open grant, Innovate UK competition, R&D tax credit and government funding scheme — in one place.
Showing 6 of 359 grants
Innovate UK Smart Grants
Open to any UK business regardless of size, age or sector. Fund game-changing innovation projects with strong commercial potential.
- UK registered business
- Any sector, any size
- Must demonstrate commercial potential
Innovation Loans (Round 25)
Low-interest loans for late-stage innovation projects nearing commercial deployment. Loan not grant — repayable at below-market rates.
- UK registered SME
- Late-stage innovation (TRL 6+)
- Viable repayment plan required
What you’ll need
A loan, not a grant. Repayable with interest, and assessed on ability to repay.
Repayable with interest at below-market rates. The rate applying to an award is set in the competition's own terms, not on the overview page — check it before assuming the cost.
R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC / Merged Scheme)
Claim a tax credit worth ~15p for every £1 spent on qualifying R&D. Applies to all companies under the merged scheme from April 2024. Can be paid as cash if loss-making.
- UK company subject to corporation tax
- Qualifying R&D expenditure
- Must resolve scientific or technological uncertainty
What you’ll need
First-time claimants must notify HMRC within 6 months of the end of the period of account. Miss it and the claim is invalid.
Before you can apply
- Claim notification form (required) — First-time claimants, and anyone whose last claim was more than 3 years before the end of the notification period. The window runs from the first day of the period of account to 6 months after it ends. Needs the company UTR, the senior internal R&D contact, every agent involved, the accounting period and period of account dates, and a summary of planned R&D.
- Additional information form (AIF) (required) — Must reach HMRC before or on the same day as the CT600 — if the return arrives first the claim is rejected. One form per accounting period.
Enhanced R&D Intensive Support (ERIS)
For R&D-intensive SMEs spending 30%+ of total costs on R&D. Claim an enhanced 86% deduction — worth up to 33p per £1 spent. Aimed at deep tech, biotech and AI startups.
- UK SME only
- R&D spend must be ≥30% of total costs
- Corporation tax registered
What you’ll need
The 30% intensity test is measured across every connected company worldwide, so one group company with large non-R&D costs can sink the claim.
Before you can apply
- Claim notification form (required) — First-time or lapsed claimants only. The window closes 6 months after the end of the period of account; outside it the claim is invalid, with no late route.
- Additional information form, including the intensity computation (required) — Must reach HMRC before or on the same day as the CT600. For ERIS it must also carry the relevant R&D and total relevant expenditure figures for the company AND for every connected company you are aware of, with each one's name, country and UK registered number.
Start Up Loans
Government-backed personal loans for new business owners. Comes with 12 months free mentoring. Fixed interest rate — no equity given up.
- Business under 3 years old
- UK resident aged 18+
- Not yet trading or trading less than 3 years
What you’ll need
This is an unsecured personal loan in your name, not the company's. If the business fails you still owe it, and it sits on your personal credit file.
Fixed 7.5% per year over a term of 1 to 5 years. No application or arrangement fees.
UK Defence Innovation Fund
Fast-track defence innovation to frontline use. £400M per year from 2025–26 for SMEs developing AI, cyber, materials and deep tech for defence applications.
- UK registered business
- Defence or security technology
- SMEs strongly encouraged
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