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MSI: SME resource and energy efficiency

Opens:
22.10.2025
Closes:
10.12.2025
Sectors:
Energy
Project Size:
Up to £1 million

The MSI: SME Resource and Energy Efficiency competition aims to enable digital innovation that helps UK manufacturers address critical challenges around energy consumption and resource efficiency. The competition supports two strands: Feasibility Studies and Industrial Research, encouraging collaborative approaches between technology developers and SME manufacturers.

Eligibility
For the Feasibility Studies strand:

  • Projects must be led by a UK-registered micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
  • The lead must be a technology developer, with the option to collaborate with SME manufacturers.
  • All project work must be undertaken in the UK.

For the Industrial Research strand:

  • Projects must be collaborative.
  • The lead must be a UK-registered technology developer SME working with at least two UK SME manufacturers.
  • All project work must also be carried out in the UK.

Scope
Projects must focus on the development or deployment of industrial digital technologies that improve resource or energy efficiency within SME manufacturing. Innovations should be scalable, cost-effective, and designed for ease of adoption across manufacturing environments. Areas of focus include:

  • Digital process monitoring and optimisation
  • Data-driven manufacturing control systems
  • Predictive maintenance and energy management
  • Smart resource allocation and supply chain efficiency

Proposals must clearly demonstrate potential improvements in sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness for UK manufacturers.

Key Dates

  • Opens: Wednesday 22 October 2025
  • Closes: 11:00 am UK time, Wednesday 10 December 2025

How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Innovation Funding Service. Applicants should ensure they select the correct strand, review the competition guidance, and prepare a detailed proposal outlining their project objectives, expected impact, and scalability.

Why This Competition Matters
The MSI: SME Resource and Energy Efficiency competition is a key opportunity for UK manufacturers and technology developers to accelerate digital transformation while contributing to national sustainability goals. By focusing on energy reduction, waste minimisation, and efficiency gains, successful projects will help strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of UK manufacturing.This call aligns with the broader Made Smarter Innovation programme’s mission to drive smarter production, reduce environmental impact, and position the UK as a leader in sustainable manufacturing technologies.

How Inventya Can Help
At Inventya, we support organisations in securing innovation funding and developing impactful projects that meet Innovate UK’s evaluation criteria. For this competition, we can assist you with:

  • Competition fit assessment: Identifying whether the Feasibility or Industrial Research strand best aligns with your project stage and goals.
  • Consortium building: Connecting you with relevant partners such as manufacturers, technology providers, and research institutions.
  • Proposal development: Crafting a strong technical and commercial narrative with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and sustainability impact.
  • Financial and project planning: Structuring budgets, milestones, and risk management strategies for compliance and clarity.
  • Submission management: Ensuring all required documentation is accurate, complete, and aligned with Innovate UK’s expectations.

With Inventya’s expertise, you can strengthen your application, enhance your project’s competitiveness, and bring your digital manufacturing innovation to market successfully.

Our experts can assess your eligibility in minutes — book your free consultation today!
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