Description

This competition, funded by Innovate UK and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, supports UK registered organisations to develop and deliver vocational robotics skills courses and training resources that help build a skilled workforce capable of specifying, procuring, integrating, operating and maintaining robotics across UK industries. It is part of the broader Robotics Adoption Programme, which aims to enhance adoption and deployment of robotics technologies nationally.

Funding amount 

• Total funding available: £2,500,000 (minimum).
• Per project: eligible grant funding request must be between £100,000 and £500,000.

Submission deadlines

• Competition opens: 2 February 2026.
• Competition closes: 25 March 2026 at 11:00am UK time.
• Applicants notified: around 22 April 2026.
• Project start by: 1 August 2026.
• Latest project end date: 31 January 2027 (projects must last between three and six months).

Submission conditions

Applicants must:

• submit a complete application through the Innovation Funding Service before the deadline;
• confirm that the project’s work will be carried out in the UK and results will be exploited from the UK;
• meet all eligibility and scope criteria (including defined project size and duration);
• state clearly how the proposed training fills industry‑identified robotics skills needs;
• ensure that projects do not start before the Grant Offer Letter is issued.

Eligible types of businesses / organisations

Lead organisations must be UK registered and can include:

• businesses of any size;
• research organisations;
• research and technology organisations (RTOs);
• academic institutions;
• charities, not‑for‑profit organisations;
• public sector organisations.

If the lead is not a business, it must collaborate with at least one business. Projects may involve partners and subcontractors (including overseas) subject to eligibility and justification.