National Materials Innovation Programme: Feasibility Studies

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has launched the first competition under the new National Materials Innovation Programme, offering up to £2 million to support feasibility projects that accelerate the translation of advanced materials innovations into real-world industrial applications.

This initiative, aligned with the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, aims to strengthen the UK’s global leadership in materials science and adoption across key high-growth sectors.

Scope
Projects must focus on one of six high growth opportunity themes or the strategic opportunity area for metamaterials and metasurfaces.

High Growth Opportunity Themes:

1. Net zero energy solutions – advanced batteries, hydrogen materials, energy harvesting, and heat recovery.
2. Future healthcare – biocompatible, bioelectronic, and patient-specific materials for long-term medical applications.
3. Structural innovations – low-carbon construction materials, sustainable composites, metals, and ceramics.
4. Advanced surface technologies and materials durability – coatings and systems for extreme or corrosive environments.
5. Next generation electronics, telecommunications, and sensors – advanced semiconductors, quantum materials, and high-efficiency communication systems.
6. Consumer products, packaging, and specialist polymers – sustainable plastics, bio-based polymers, and recyclable elastomers.

Strategic Opportunity Theme:
Metamaterials and metasurfaces – innovations that enable new electromagnetic, acoustic, thermal, or mechanical responses for applications in telecommunications, healthcare, and energy.\

Funding and Eligibility

• Total project funding request: between £50,000 and £100,000
• Project duration: up to nine months
• Start date: from 1 May 2026, end by 31 January 2027
• Lead applicant: UK-registered business of any size
• Collaborators: may include businesses, academic institutions, RTOs, charities, or public sector organisations

Applicants must provide a letter of support from an end user in one of the eight growth-driving sectors identified in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy (IS-8).

Funding rates:

• Up to 70% for small businesses
• Up to 60% for medium businesses
• Up to 50% for large businesses
  Research organisations can share up to 30% of total eligible costs.