DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund
Innovate UK · United Kingdom
Grant funding to support large scale projects that enable the commercial scale up of innovative zero emission vehicle technologies and manufacturing capabilities within the UK automotive supply chain. Projects must focus on scaling production capability, manufacturing processes or industrial deployment that supports the transition to zero emission vehicles.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant funding to support large scale projects that enable the commercial scale up of innovative zero emission vehicle technologies and manufacturing capabilities within the UK automotive supply chain. Projects must focus on scaling production capability, manufacturing processes or industrial deployment that supports the transition to zero emission vehicles.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Automotive manufacturing, electric vehicle technologies, batteries, power electronics, propulsion systems and related supply chain technologies.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK registered organisations involved in the automotive supply chain including manufacturers, technology developers and other organisations capable of scaling automotive innovation projects. The lead applicant must be a UK registered organisation responsible for delivering the project and managing the grant funding. Projects must develop and validate manufacturing processes, facilities or techno...
Eligible applicants
UK registered organisations involved in the automotive supply chain including manufacturers, technology developers and other organisations capable of scaling automotive innovation projects.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£150,000,000
Total fund available
£150,000,000
Funding intensity
Projects must not request more than 50% of total project costs as grant funding for SMEs or 30% for large organisations.
Payment type
Reimbursement (in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects must develop and validate manufacturing processes, facilities or technologies that support large scale production of zero emission vehicle technologies and strengthen the UK automotive supply chain.
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs relating to development, validation, manufacturing capability, equipment, facilities and innovation activities necessary to scale production technologies.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under Innovate UK IFS DRIVE35 scale-up competition guidance.
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS)
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
Decisions are made after the assessment and interview stages following each submission window.
Assessment process
Applications are assessed by independent technical assessors and government economists followed by interviews and final appraisal before funding decisions are made.
Application sections
- Project details, application questions and financial information.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not meet scope requirements, fail value for money assessment, lack sufficient private investment or do not demonstrate strong manufacturing scale up potential.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
17 Sept 2025
Project duration
Not specified
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative projects are permitted where partners contribute technical expertise, manufacturing capability or supply chain capacity.
- International organisations may participate as partners or subcontractors where justified.
Consortium requirements
- Projects may include multiple consortium partners including businesses, research organisations and other organisations contributing to the automotive supply chain.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Industrial research and experimental development focused on manufacturing scale up and commercialisation."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Subcontractors are permitted and must be selected through appropriate procurement processes."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Yes. Applicants invited to interview must present the project and respond to questions from assessors and government economists."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must demonstrate commercial scale up potential, strong market validation, contribution to the UK automotive supply chain and alignment with the transition to zero emission vehicles."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applicants must secure match funding within a defined period after receiving a grant offer before the project can begin. The programme uses a portfolio approach when selecting projects for funding."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- £150,000,000
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Reimbursement (in arrears)
- Audience
- Business
- Industry
- Automotive manufacturing, electric vehicle technologies, batteries, power electronics, propulsion systems and related supply chain technologies.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 16 Sept 2025