Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Innovation FS
Innovate UK · United Kingdom. Project work must be carried out in the UK and project results must be exploited from or in the UK. (Innovation Funding Service)
Grant funding for feasibility studies to explore innovative ways of making supply chains more resource efficient and resilient by addressing cross-cutting challenges across multiple Industrial Strategy growth sectors and advanced manufacturing frontier industries. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
11 Mar 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding for feasibility studies to explore innovative ways of making supply chains more resource efficient and resilient by addressing cross-cutting challenges across multiple Industrial Strategy growth sectors and advanced manufacturing frontier industries. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
High-growth sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Life Sciences. Frontier industries: Automotive, Batteries and Energy Storage, Aerospace, Advanced Materials (including composites, metals, polymers, ceramics, glass and smart materials), Agri-tech manufacturing and processing technologies for the agri-food value chain, and Space. (Innovation Funding Service)
Match funding
Applicants must fund the balance of eligible project costs not covered by the grant. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible applicants
UK registered businesses of any size and UK registered Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs). Businesses may apply alone. RTOs cannot apply alone and must collaborate with at least one UK registered business claiming grant funding. (Innovation Funding Service)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£100,000 grant funding request. (Innovation Funding Service)
Total fund available
Up to £5,000,000. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
As per Research, Development and Innovation Streamlined Subsidy Scheme (Category 1 – Feasibility Study). (Innovation Funding Service)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects must be feasibility studies addressing cross-cutting supply chain challenges relevant to at least two Industrial Strategy growth sectors or two advanced manufacturing frontier industries. Must involve at least one end user and demonstrate a route to scale in the UK. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs in accordance with Innovate UK funding rules. Academic institutions must upload a Je-S form where applicable. (Innovation Funding Service)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS). (Innovation Funding Service)
Competitiveness
Approximately 20% success rate based on similar competitions. (Innovation Funding Service)
Decision timeline
Applicants notified on 5 May 2026. (Innovation Funding Service)
Assessment process
Independent assessor review. Portfolio approach may be applied. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application sections
- Project Details, Application Questions, Finances, Project Impact. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Appendix for Approach, Project Plan or Gantt Chart, Risk Register. Academic institutions must upload a Je-S form where applicable. (Innovation Funding Service)
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Portfolio approach may influence funding decisions. Prior non-compliance with Innovate UK terms may affect funding. (Innovation Funding Service)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
2 Feb 2026
Project duration
Up to 9 months. (Innovation Funding Service)
Project start
1 Jul 2026
Project end
31 Mar 2027
Co-funders
- None specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Collaboration rules
- Single applicants permitted only for UK registered businesses. Collaborative projects must include at least one UK registered business claiming grant funding. RTOs, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profits and public sector organisations may collaborate. No partner may claim more than 70% of total eligible project costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-31.
Minimum Award
£50,000 grant funding request. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application Limit
A business may lead one application and collaborate in any number of applications. An RTO may lead one application and collaborate in any number of applications. Academic institutions, charities, not-for-profits and public sector organisations cannot lead but may collaborate. (Innovation Funding Service)
Research Category
Feasibility study. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subcontractors
Allowed. Overseas subcontractors must be justified. Lower cost alone is not sufficient justification. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subsidy Scheme
Research, Development and Innovation Streamlined Subsidy Scheme (Category 1 – Feasibility Study) under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. Award classified as a Subsidy and does not form part of the Minimal Financial Assistance or De Minimis allowance. (Innovation Funding Service)
Sanctions Rule
Funding will not be provided where it would breach UK sanctions. (Innovation Funding Service)
Animal Research Rule
Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI animal welfare guidance where applicable. (Innovation Funding Service)
Interview Stage
Not specified. (Innovation Funding Service)
Key Requirements
Projects must include at least one end user, address cross-cutting supply chain challenges across multiple sectors or frontier industries, demonstrate UK exploitation potential, and start on the first day of the month. (Innovation Funding Service)
Important Notes
Subcontractor costs are capped at 30% of total eligible project costs. Academic institutions cannot lead applications. Projects must not start before the Grant Offer Letter is approved. Funding allocations may be adjusted under exceptional circumstances. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application deadline in source document
11 March 2026, 11:00am UK time. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 11 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £100,000 grant funding request. (Innovation Funding Service)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- High-growth sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Life Sciences. Frontier industries: Automotive, Batteries and Energy Storage, Aerospace, Advanced Materials (including composites, metals, polymers, ceramics, glass and smart materials), Agri-tech manufacturing and processing technologies for the agri-food value chain, and Space. (Innovation Funding Service)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 28 Jan 2026