2409 : Robotics Adoption Central Convening Body
Innovate UK · United Kingdom
Funding to create a central convening body to coordinate the Robotics Adoption Hubs. The body will close knowledge gaps that slow robotics adoption and support national coordination.
Summary
Deadline
15 Apr 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to create a central convening body to coordinate the Robotics Adoption Hubs. The body will close knowledge gaps that slow robotics adoption and support national coordination.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Research, Public Sector
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Sector agnostic
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK registered business of any size, research and technology organisation, public sector organisation, or academic institution To lead a project your organisation must be a UK registered business, research and technology organisation (RTO), public sector organisation or academic institution. Create and operate a central convening body. Coordinate Robotics Adoption Hubs nationally. Act as secreta...
Eligible applicants
UK registered business of any size, research and technology organisation, public sector organisation, or academic institution
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to £2,000,000 total fund (competition 2409)
Total fund available
£2,000,000
Funding intensity
Up to 70% for micro or small organisations. Up to 60% for medium organisations. Up to 50% for large organisations. Research organisations undertaking non economic activity may receive up to 100% of eligible costs or 80% FEC where applicable.
Payment type
Reimbursement (in arrears)
Eligible scope
Create and operate a central convening body. Coordinate Robotics Adoption Hubs nationally. Act as secretariat for hub meetings. Share success stories and lessons learned. Develop standardised branding and materials. Create and manage programme website. Publicise adoption programme. Incorporate international learnings. Build a self sustaining model.
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs under Innovate UK rules. Subcontractor costs allowed where justified.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under Innovate UK IFS competition guidance.
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Applicants notified 23 June 2026.
Assessment process
Reviewed by three independent assessors.
Application sections
- Project details. Application questions. Finances.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Appendix for approach where applicable. Team summary appendix. Project plan or Gantt chart. Risk register.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Portfolio approach may limit awards. High scoring applications may not be funded. Outstanding payments or non compliance may affect decision.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
24 Feb 2026
Project duration
43 months
Project start
31 Aug 2026
Project end
30 Mar 2030
Co-funders
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
Collaboration rules
- Single applicants allowed. If the lead is an academic institution or RTO it must collaborate with at least one business. No partner may account for more than 70% of total eligible costs.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicants and collaborations permitted
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Application Limit","value":"An organisation may lead one application and collaborate in two further applications. If not leading, it may collaborate in unlimited applications."},{"label":"Robotics Definition","value":"Includes drones operating on land, sea and air. Includes autonomous plant and service robots. Includes industrial robots using sensors, actuators and control software. Excludes software only systems."},{"label":"Subsidy Scheme","value":"Subsidy Scheme Robotics Adoption Hubs SC11454 under the Subsidy Control Act 2022"},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Allowed. Overseas subcontractors must be justified. Lower cost alone is not sufficient reason."},{"label":"Sanctions Rule","value":"Funding will not be provided where it would breach UK sanctions."},{"label":"Animal Research Rule","value":"Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI guidance and welfare standards."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Shortlisted applicants invited to interview between 15 June 2026 and 19 June 2026. Presentation required. Interview score supersedes initial score."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Must demonstrate ability to convene hubs nationally. Must evidence existing robotics stakeholder connections. Must demonstrate expertise and credibility. Must create website as programme front door. Must embed mechanism for self sustainability."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Work must be carried out in the UK. Results must be exploited from or in the UK. Projects must start on the first of the month. Applications cannot be transferred between competitions. Funding subject to sufficient high quality applications."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 15 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- Up to £2,000,000 total fund (competition 2409)
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Reimbursement (in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Sector agnostic
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 24 Feb 2026