A new funding opportunity is available for UK registered micro and small businesses engaged in the development of Advanced Connectivity Technologies. Innovate UK, with funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, has allocated up to £500,000 to support the creation of affordable, adoptable, and investable innovations. The initiative aims to provide targeted support to ambitious companies, enabling them to develop new products, processes, or services that are significantly ahead of current market offerings or propose innovative uses for existing technologies.
Funding and Project Details
• Total Funding Available: Up to £500,000 has been allocated for innovation projects.
• Funding Type: Grant.
• Project Size: Grant funding requests must be between £25,000 and £50,000.
• Funding Level: Projects will be 100% funded, with the grant funding request required to equal the total project costs.
• Payment Structure: 50% of the grant is paid within a month of the project start date, 40% is paid in arrears after approval of the 50% claim, and the final 10% is paid after approval of the final claim.
Key Dates
• Competition Opens: Tuesday 7 July 2026
• Online Briefing Event: 9 July 2026
• Competition Closes: Wednesday 5 August 2026, 11:00am UK time
• Applicants Notified: 2 September 2026
• Project Start: From 1 November 2026
Eligibility Criteria
• Lead Organisation: Must be a UK registered micro or small business.
• Previous Funding: Businesses that have been directly funded by Innovate UK previously are not eligible. Exceptions apply for funding received in an academic capacity prior to company formation.
• Project Duration: Must last between three and six months.
• Project Timeline: Projects must start by 1 November 2026 and end by 30 April 2027. Projects must always start on the first of the month.
• Location of Work: Project work must be conducted in the UK, with the intention to exploit results and spend the majority of funding within the UK.
• Cost Requirements: Total project costs must equal the grant funding request and fall between £25,000 and £50,000.
• Subcontractors: Permitted. Overseas subcontractors require specific justification.
• Application Limit: An eligible UK business can submit only one application.
• Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA): Applicants must not exceed the £315,000 MFA limit within the applicable three-year financial period.
Program Scope and Focus Areas
• Program Aim: To accelerate the development, demonstration, and commercialisation of next-generation communications technologies to strengthen the UK’s security, resilience, and competitiveness.
• Innovation Requirement: Projects must demonstrate innovation leading to new products, processes, or services significantly ahead of current offerings, or propose innovative uses of existing ones, including new business models.
• Applicant Demonstration: Applicants must show they have an innovative idea, require public funding, and possess the capability to deliver the project.
• Portfolio Approach: Funding aims to support a diverse portfolio of projects across different technologies, markets, themes, and locations.
Specific Themes: ACT Grand Challenges
• Challenge 1: Secure and Resilient Networks: Focuses on developing solutions to position the UK as a leader in secure communications. This includes protecting networks against threats, ensuring data confidentiality, and integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks for expanded coverage and resilience.
• Challenge 2: Sustainable Networks: Aims to drive innovation in technologies that reduce the environmental impact of telecommunications and ensure efficient use of finite spectrum. Key outcomes include creating sustainable, energy-efficient networks.
Ineligible Projects
• Projects that do not meet the competition's eligibility or scope requirements.
• Projects that purely result in reports, academic papers, or similar outputs.
• Projects that do not evidence potential for significant positive economic or societal impact or value for money.
• Projects involving primary production in fishery, aquaculture, or agriculture.
• Projects not permitted under de minimis regulations or Minimal Financial Assistance.
• Projects dependent on export performance or the use of domestic inputs.
Application Process
• Submission Platform: Applications must be submitted via the Innovation Funding Service.
• Application Structure: The application is divided into four sections: Project details, Application questions, Finances, and Project Impact.
• Assessment: Applications are reviewed by one independent assessor. Questions 11-14 are scored, covering the idea, impact, business capabilities, and work plan. A portfolio approach may be used in the final selection.
• Feedback: No feedback is provided on applications, regardless of the outcome.
Support and Contact Information
• Accessibility and Inclusion: Reasonable adjustments and guidance are available for applicants with disabilities or long-term conditions.
• Contact: For inquiries, email support@iuk.ukri.org or call 0300 321 4357. Phone lines are open 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
• Briefing Information: A recording and slides from the online briefing event are available for review.
• Post-Award Support: Successful applicants may benefit from the Innovate UK Business Growth service to help with strategy and scaling.
This overview provides a summary of the Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators competition. Interested parties should consult the official competition brief on the GOV.UK website for complete and detailed information, including full guidance on the application process and specific requirements.