Energy Catalyst Round 11 – Early Stage
Innovate UK · Projects must target ODA-eligible countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and Latin America. The administrative lead must be a UK registered organisation. (Innovation Funding Service)
Grant funding competition supporting early-stage innovation projects that create or improve clean energy access in Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries. Supports technologies and business models that deliver affordable, reliable and low-carbon energy solutions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. (Energy Catalyst)
Summary
Deadline
25 Mar 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding competition supporting early-stage innovation projects that create or improve clean energy access in Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries. Supports technologies and business models that deliver affordable, reliable and low-carbon energy solutions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. (Energy Catalyst)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Clean energy innovation including solar, sustainable cooking, modern cooking services, energy efficiency, industrial decarbonisation, clean transport, smart energy systems, energy storage, clean hydrogen and critical minerals. (Innovation Funding Service)
Match funding
Applicants must finance any eligible project costs not covered by the grant. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible applicants
Businesses of any size, research organisations, research and technology organisations (RTOs), charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). (Innovation Funding Service)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£50,000 to £300,000 total eligible project costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Total fund available
Up to £7,000,000 across all three Energy Catalyst Round 11 competition strands. (Innovation Funding Service)
Funding intensity
Up to 70% for micro and small businesses, 60% for medium businesses and 50% for large businesses. Research organisations may receive funding under Innovate UK rules. (Innovation Funding Service)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects must create or improve affordable, reliable and low-carbon energy access in eligible countries by developing, testing or validating innovative technologies or business models. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs directly related to project development, testing and delivery in accordance with Innovate UK guidance. (Innovation Funding Service)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS).
Competitiveness
Approximately 15% success rate based on previous Energy Catalyst competitions. (Innovation Funding Service)
Decision timeline
Applicants notified on 18 May 2026. Successful applicants invited to a briefing before project commencement. (Innovation Funding Service)
Assessment process
Independent assessment against eligibility, innovation, ODA compliance, technical feasibility, project quality, commercial potential and impact. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application sections
- Project details, application questions and financial information. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they fall outside the competition scope, fail eligibility checks or do not comply with ODA requirements. (Innovation Funding Service)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
5 Jan 2026
Project duration
Between 3 and 12 months. (Innovation Funding Service)
Project start
1 Aug 2026
Project end
31 Mar 2030
Co-funders
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) through the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). (Innovation Funding Service)
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative projects are permitted and must include at least one SME claiming grant funding. International partners are encouraged where appropriate. (Innovation Funding Service)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-04.
Expected Next Opening
TBC. Innovate UK has not announced Energy Catalyst Round 12 (Early Stage). (Innovation Funding Service)
Single Applicant Rule
UK registered SMEs may apply either individually or collaboratively. SMEs must satisfy the Innovate UK definition of an SME. (Innovation Funding Service)
Technology Lead Requirement
The technology lead must possess the technical capability to deliver the project and manage the relevant work packages. (Innovation Funding Service)
Research Category
Feasibility projects. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subcontractors
Allowed where justified and procured through normal procurement processes. (Innovation Funding Service)
Research Organisation Funding
Research organisations may receive funding up to 50% of eligible project costs, subject to Innovate UK funding rules. (Innovation Funding Service)
Key Requirements
Projects must demonstrate ODA compliance, improve affordable and reliable clean energy access, address affordability and carbon reduction, and incorporate Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) considerations. (Innovation Funding Service)
Important Notes
Successful projects join the Energy Access Accelerator programme, which provides additional commercialisation, business support and mentoring to funded projects. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application deadline in source document
25 March 2026, 11:00 AM UK time
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 25 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £50,000 to £300,000 total eligible project costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Clean energy innovation including solar, sustainable cooking, modern cooking services, energy efficiency, industrial decarbonisation, clean transport, smart energy systems, energy storage, clean hydrogen and critical minerals. (Innovation Funding Service)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 12 Jan 2026