Applications are open for the Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator 2026, a nine-month programme delivered by Digital Catapult and powered by the UK Digital Twin Centre. The programme supports partnerships between technology providers and industry adopters to develop and validate digital twin proof-of-concept solutions addressing real-world business and operational challenges.
Programme Overview
• Duration: A nine-month programme beginning with onboarding on 18 November 2026 and concluding in June 2027.
• Objective: To support partnerships between UK technology SMEs and industry adopters in developing proof-of-concept solutions that accelerate the practical adoption of digital twin technologies.
• Cohort Size: The programme will select nine partnerships.
Participant Benefits and Support
• Funding: Each successful project may receive up to £100,000 in Innovate UK grant funding.
• Technical Expertise: Participants will receive expert technical support from Digital Catapult’s innovation and technology teams to develop and refine their digital twin solutions.
• Mentoring: Each participating partnership will receive dedicated one-to-one mentoring throughout the programme.
• Testing and Validation: Participants will gain access to specialist facilities and real-world environments in which to test and validate their proof-of-concept solutions.
• Industry Collaboration: Technology SMEs and industry adopters will work together to address genuine business and operational challenges.
• Partner Support: Participants will receive support from the UK Digital Twin Centre’s industry partners.
• Networking: The programme provides opportunities to connect with industry leaders, technology experts and organisations from across the wider digital twin ecosystem.
• Showcase Event: The programme will conclude with a showcase at which participants can present their solutions to representatives from industry, government and the investment community.
Eligibility Criteria
• Partnership Requirement: Applications must be submitted by a pre-formed partnership comprising a UK technology SME and an industry adopter seeking to address a digital twin adoption challenge.
• Technology SME Partner: The SME must be based in the United Kingdom and develop solutions in at least one of the programme’s six digital twin enabling technology areas.
• Industry Adopter Partner: The industry organisation must operate in an eligible sector and have a specific business, operational or user challenge that could be addressed using digital twin technology.
• Lead Applicant: Either the technology SME or the industry adopter may act as the lead applicant.
Key Focus Areas
• Eligible Industry Sectors: Automotive, agri-tech, maritime, aerospace-including space-defence, clean energy, creative industries and life sciences.
• Enabling Technology Areas: Cyber-physical systems, data services, security and trustworthiness, immersive technologies and user experience, intelligence, and integration and interoperability.
Key Dates
• Applications Opened: 08 July 2026.
• Application Deadline: 06 September 2026.
• Successful Applicants Informed: 15 October 2026.
• Programme Kick-Off and In-Person Onboarding: 18 November 2026.
• Programme End: June 2027.
The Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator 2026 offers UK technology SMEs and industry adopters an opportunity to collaborate on practical digital twin applications. Through grant funding, technical expertise, mentoring, testing facilities and access to industry networks, the programme aims to help participating partnerships move their solutions from concept to validated proof of concept and demonstrate their potential for wider industrial adoption.