Description

This competition is delivered by Innovate UK in partnership with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) and funded by the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). It supports collaborative Discovery Phase projects that address specific energy system challenges to help deliver net zero at the lowest cost to consumers and support innovation in the energy system.

Funding amount

• Total funding available: up to £30 million (exclusive of VAT) for the Discovery Phase across all challenges.
• Per project: each Discovery Phase project can request up to £150,000 exclusive of VAT.

Submission deadlines

• Competition opens: 26 January 2026
• Competition closes: 25 February 2026 at 11:00am UK time

Submission conditions

• Applications must be submitted through the Innovation Funding Service.
• Projects must demonstrate eligibility, compliance with SIF requirements, and fit the scope of one of the specified Discovery challenges.
• Projects must include required monitoring and reporting, and deliverables must be completed within the Discovery Phase timeline.
• Projects must start after 1 May 2026 and be completed by 30 September 2026.
• Project costs must be eligible and within the specified funding cap; additional private contribution is required (minimum 10% of total project costs).

Eligible types of organisations

• To lead a project, the applicant must be an Ofgem licensed energy network operator (gas distribution, gas transmission, electricity transmission, electricity distribution, or Electricity System Operator).
• Projects must involve at least one other organisation as a project partner. These partners can include:
  • start-ups
  • SMEs and larger businesses
  • research institutions
  • technology providers
  • independent researchers
  • other licensed network companies
• Non-funded partners (including UK or international organisations) may be included, but they do not receive funding.

Eligible countries

• The lead organisation must be UK based (Ofgem licensed).
• Non-funded partners may be based outside the UK and can carry out work from their home countries if included in the project, though they do not receive grant funding.