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Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has launched the Investor Partnerships – National Materials Innovation Programme 1, offering up to £5 million in grant funding to support UK SMEs developing innovative materials and technologies with strong commercial potential.
The competition combines public grant funding with private investment from approved investor partners, helping businesses overcome technical and financial barriers to developing, scaling and commercialising advanced materials innovations.
The funding forms part of the UK's National Materials Innovation Programme, which supports the translation and adoption of advanced materials across strategically important industries.
The programme focuses on innovations that improve material performance, functionality, durability, efficiency and sustainability, strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of UK industry.
Competition Objectives
The competition aims to accelerate the development and commercialisation of advanced materials by combining Innovate UK's research and development funding with private investment.
The programme seeks to:
Projects must demonstrate a credible route to market, significant growth potential and the ability to attract equity investment.
What Types of Projects Are Eligible?
The competition supports materials innovation across seven priority themes.
Applicants must address at least one theme and one associated sub-theme.
1. Net Zero Energy Materials
This theme supports advanced materials that improve the generation, conversion, storage, transport, management or efficient use of energy.
2. Future Healthcare Materials
This theme focuses on advanced materials and material systems that improve healthcare outcomes through better prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, rehabilitation or regenerative medicine. Innovations should demonstrate improvements in biological performance, patient outcomes, clinical functionality, manufacturability or healthcare costs.
3. Structural Materials Innovation
This theme supports high-performance structural materials designed to improve strength, durability, reliability and sustainability. The programme seeks innovations that improve structural performance, extend operational lifetime, reduce environmental impact and support resource-efficient manufacturing.
4. Advanced Surface Technologies and Materials Durability
This theme supports coatings, surface treatments and material systems that protect against degradation and improve the reliability and lifespan of products and infrastructure. Projects may focus on improving corrosion resistance, reducing wear, extending asset life and lowering maintenance costs.
5. Next-Generation Electronics, Telecommunications and Sensors
This theme supports advanced materials used in electronic, photonic, communication, sensing and quantum technologies. Projects should demonstrate how material innovations can improve device performance, energy efficiency, reliability, sensing capabilities or manufacturing scalability.
6. Sustainable Polymer, Packaging and Elastomeric Materials
This theme focuses on innovative polymers, packaging materials and elastomers that reduce environmental impact while maintaining or improving performance. Projects may address recyclability, resource efficiency, circularity, durability, material recovery and reduced carbon footprints.
7. Metamaterials and Metasurfaces
This theme supports the development, scale-up and commercial adoption of engineered metamaterials and metasurfaces. These materials use specially designed structures to achieve properties and functions that cannot be obtained through conventional materials alone. Projects should demonstrate technical innovation, address manufacturing or scale-up challenges and establish a credible pathway towards commercial adoption.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to UK registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
To qualify, applicants must:
Only single-applicant projects are eligible. Collaborative R&D applications are not permitted.
Subcontractors may be used where their involvement is justified and the costs are appropriate.
Each SME can submit only one application to this competition round.
Investor Partnership Requirements
A key feature of this competition is the requirement to secure private investment alongside Innovate UK grant funding.
Applicants must establish a strong relationship with an approved investor partner before applying.
The investor partner must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) directly to Innovate UK and confirm that the SME is ready to apply.
Without this EOI, the application will be considered ineligible.
Evidence of investment traction may include:
The investor must lead or catalyse the aligned investment, which must be made through new shares or convertible debt.
Funding Available
Innovate UK has allocated up to £5 million to support eligible projects under this competition.
The project cost limits and funding rates depend on the research category.
1. Feasibility Studies
Eligible project costs: £50,000 to £300,000.
Funding rates:
Minimum aligned investment: At least equal to the Innovate UK grant.
2. Industrial Research
Eligible project costs: £100,000 to £1 million.
Funding rates:
Minimum aligned investment: At least equal to the Innovate UK grant.
3. Experimental Development
Eligible project costs: £250,000 to £2 million.
Funding rates:
Minimum aligned investment: At least twice the Innovate UK grant.
The investor partner must declare and confirm the minimum aligned investment. Where the declared amount exceeds the standard minimum, that higher amount becomes the binding investment requirement.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources, including the grant and private investment, to cover the project's eligible costs.
Key Dates
Opens: 2 November 2026
Closes: 19 January 2027
How Inventya Can Help
The Investor Partnerships – National Materials Innovation Programme 1 offers SMEs an opportunity to accelerate advanced materials innovation while securing the private investment needed for commercial growth.
However, developing a competitive application requires a strong technical proposal, a credible commercialisation strategy and clear evidence of investor engagement.
Inventya can support SMEs throughout the application process, helping them develop proposals that demonstrate technical innovation, commercial potential and alignment with Innovate UK's funding requirements.
Our support includes:
With experience supporting innovative businesses across advanced materials, energy, healthcare, manufacturing and sustainability, Inventya can help SMEs strengthen their funding applications and prepare for commercial growth.
