Advancing Innovation in Drug an

Animal Research Rule: Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI animal welfare guidance.

Appendices Required: Innovation appendix. Team summary appendix. Financial projections appendix. Project plan or Gantt chart. Risk register. Spend profile template.

Application Limit: A business can lead one application and collaborate in two further applications. If not leading, it can collaborate in unlimited applications.

Application Platform: Innovation Funding Service

Application Sections: Project details. Application questions. Finances. Project Impact.

Assessment Process: Reviewed by five independent assessors. Portfolio approach applied.

Co-Funder: Office for Life Sciences

Collaboration Rules: At least one additional UK registered organisation must collaborate. No single partner may account for more than 70% of total eligible costs.

Competitiveness: Approximately 30% chance of success based on similar competitions.

Decision Risks: Portfolio approach may limit awards. High scoring projects may not be funded. Outstanding payments to Innovate UK may affect decision.

Decision Timeline: Applicants notified 7 August 2026.

Eligible Expenses: Eligible project costs between £250,000 and £10,000,000 depending on intervention type. MHRA and NICE regulatory costs allowed.

Eligible Scope: Projects must address illicit drug or alcohol use. Must improve treatment, recovery or prevention of harm and deaths. Must achieve TRL 8 or preferably TRL 9 by project end. Must secure or progress regulatory approvals. Must complete full market readiness analysis and UK rollout plan.

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 can share up to 30% of total eligible costs.

Important Notes: Collaboration only competition. Cannot apply to both strands with the same project. Project must not start before Grant Offer Letter approval. Funding subject to sufficient high quality applications.

Ineligible Leads: Academic institutions, RTOs, charities, CICs and non profit organisations cannot lead.

Ineligible Projects: Feasibility stage projects. Projects preventing initiation of substance use. Projects targeting tobacco, nicotine, gambling or behavioural addictions. Projects without clear commercial potential. Projects not ready for market after R&D cycle.

Interview Stage: Shortlisted applicants invited to interview between 20 July 2026 and 24 July 2026. Presentation required. Interview score supersedes initial score.

Key Requirements: Must engage people with lived experience. Must engage treatment or service providers. Must define regulatory pathway. Must include commercialisation plan. Must test in real world settings.

Match Funding Requirement: Required. Organisation must fund the balance of eligible project costs not covered by grant.

Project Duration: 24 to 36 months

Project End Date: 2029-11-30 00:00:00

Project Start Date: 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Publication Date: 2026-02-12 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: A previously assessed application can be resubmitted once if not materially different.

Research Category: Industrial research only

Sanctions Rule: Funding will not be provided where it breaches UK sanctions.

Subcontractors: Allowed. Overseas subcontractors must be justified. Lower cost alone is not sufficient reason.

Subsidy Scheme: Provided under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. Classified as a Subsidy. Not part of Minimal Financial Assistance.

Substances in Scope: Opioids. Stimulants including cocaine and methamphetamine. Cannabis. GHB. Ketamine. Benzodiazepines. Gabapentinoids.

Total Fund Available: Share of £20,000,000 across two competitions