UKRI Innovate UK Smart Grants: Game-Changing Innovations for Research Organisations Round 2

The UKRI Innovate UK Smart Grants: Game-Changing Innovations for Research Organisations Round 2 is a landmark funding opportunity that invites UK-based research organisations to apply for grants up to £500,000 to develop transformative technologies. This call is part of UKRI’s commitment to supporting high-risk, high-reward projects that have the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. With a total fund of £25 million, the competition will fund multiple projects, each lasting between 12 and 36 months. The deadline for submission is 12 August 2026, and projects must start by 1 April 2027. Eligible organisations include higher education institutions, research council institutes, independent research organisations, public sector research establishments, and charities. They must be based in the UK and able to manage grant funding under UKRI’s Full Economic Cost (FEC) model. The call encourages collaboration with businesses, end-users, or other stakeholders to ensure the innovation is demand-led. Projects must demonstrate a clear progression from proof-of-concept (TRL 3) to demonstration (TRL 7) or beyond. The urgency is driven by the need to start preparation immediately. The application process is rigorous, requiring a detailed case for support, a comprehensive work plan, a budget, and an impact plan. GSLI’s training courses, especially 'Writing Winning Proposals' and 'Project Management for Development', can significantly enhance the quality of the application. By upskilling your team, you can increase your chances of success and ensure efficient project delivery post-award.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This funding call is specifically targeted at UK-based research organisations that are eligible for UKRI funding. Eligible entities include higher education institutions (HEIs), research council institutes, independent research organisations (IROs), public sector research establishments (PSREs), charities, and not-for-profit organisations with a research focus. The call is designed for organisations that can lead ambitious, collaborative innovation projects, often in partnership with businesses or other stakeholders. Applicants must be able to demonstrate robust research capabilities, a track record in delivering innovation outputs, and a clear plan for translating research into real-world applications. The call is not open to individual businesses or sole traders; instead, research organisations are expected to be the lead applicant. The scope encourages projects that involve end-users, supply chains, or other research collaborators. Organisations must have a UK establishment and be able to manage grant funding effectively. The call prioritises projects that address significant technical challenges and have a clear pathway to impact, whether commercial, societal, or environmental. For charities and not-for-profits, the innovation must align with their mission and demonstrate potential for scale.

Priorities

UKRI's global priorities for this call centre on fostering breakthroughs that drive sustainable economic growth, enhance productivity, and address grand societal challenges. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Technological Readiness Level (TRL) advancement from 3 to 7 – projects must move concepts from proof-of-concept to demonstration or prototyping; (2) contribution to net zero targets, particularly in energy, transport, or industrial decarbonisation; (3) digital transformation, including AI, quantum, or cybersecurity innovations; (4) health and wellbeing, focusing on novel therapeutics, diagnostics, or medtech; (5) resilience and adaptation, especially climate resilience and supply chain security. The donor expects projects to demonstrate clear measurable outcomes within 12-36 months, such as patents filed, prototypes validated, or clinical trials initiated. Additionally, projects must show potential for future commercialisation or wide adoption. UKRI emphasises co-creation with end-users and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The call also prioritises projects that incorporate responsible innovation principles, including ethical considerations, public engagement, and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Geographic distribution across the UK is a consideration, with a focus on levelling up regions with lower R&D intensity.

Eligibility

Eligibility requires rigorous compliance with UKRI’s financial, spatial, and legal criteria. Financially, the organisation must be a legal entity with a UK registration, capable of receiving and managing public funds. For grants over £250,000, the lead applicant must demonstrate financial sustainability through audited accounts, cash flow projections, and a clear governance structure. The project must have a total eligible cost between £100,000 and £500,000, with UKRI funding up to 80% of these costs under Full Economic Cost (FEC) rules for research organisations. The institution must have an active Je-S account and be registered with UKRI’s funding system. Spatially, the project work must be carried out in the UK, though subcontracting abroad is allowed if justified. Legal requirements include adherence to State Aid rules (the grant is under de minimis or General Block Exemption Regulation). The organisation must confirm no conflicts of interest and must have a robust data management and IP policy. The lead applicant must not have received a Smart Grant for a similar project previously. Due diligence includes checks on the organisation’s past performance on UKRI grants. Projects must start by 1 April 2027 and complete by 31 March 2029.

Path to Success

Step 1: Deepen Institutional Capacity – Enrol your team in GSLI’s 'Writing Winning Proposals' and 'Project Management for Development' courses to strengthen proposal writing and project planning skills. These courses will help you articulate a compelling project rationale, develop a robust work breakdown structure, and align with UKRI’s assessment criteria. Step 2: Early Partner Engagement – Identify co-investigators and project partners (e.g., industry, other research organisations) and formalise collaboration agreements. Use GSLI’s 'Procurement & Supply Chain' training to manage subcontractors effectively. Step 3: Develop a Comprehensive Project Plan – Outline a clear pathway from TRL 3/4 to TRL 7, including milestones, deliverables, risk management, and budget using FEC rates. Integrate responsible innovation and EDI considerations. Step 4: Draft and Refine the Application – Write a detailed case for support, emphasising the innovation’s game-changing potential, market pull, and alignment with UKRI priorities. Use GSLI’s 'Financial Management for NGOs' to ensure budget compliance. Submit via Je-S by the deadline. GSLI can provide mock review panels to refine your proposal. Step 5: Post-Award Readiness – Once awarded, use GSLI’s 'Grants Management' course to ensure sound financial reporting and progress tracking, and 'Monitoring & Evaluation' to set KPIs and impact metrics.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Project Management for Development
Writing Winning Proposals
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

Deadline: 2026-08-12

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal