Robotics Adoption Programme: Skills Development
Innovate UK. (UK Research and Innovation) · 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 to develop vocational robotics skills courses that address UK robotics workforce skills gaps. Projects must create high-quality training content and learning materials that improve robotics adoption capability across UK industry. Part of the Robotics Adoption Programme funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
25 Mar 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding to develop vocational robotics skills courses that address UK robotics workforce skills gaps. Projects must create high-quality training content and learning materials that improve robotics adoption capability across UK industry. Part of the Robotics Adoption Programme funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, electronics, engineering, industrial technology and workforce skills development. (UK Research and Innovation)
Match funding
Applicants must fund the remaining eligible project costs not covered by the grant. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible applicants
UK registered businesses of any size, research organisations, research and technology organisations (RTOs), academic institutions, charities, not-for-profit organisations and public sector organisations. (Innovation Funding Service)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Total eligible grant funding request must be between £100,000 and £500,000. (Innovate UK Business Connect)
Total fund available
Up to £2,500,000. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
Up to 45% for large businesses, 55% for medium-sized businesses, 70% for small businesses. Research organisations conducting economic activity receive funding according to organisation size. Eligible academic institutions receive 80% FEC. Research organisations conducting non-economic activity may receive up to 100% of eligible costs. RTOs, charities, not-for-profits and public sector organisations may receive up to 70% of eligible costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects must create vocational robotics learning content, training materials and skills programmes that address identified robotics skills shortages. Training may support apprenticeships, internships, up-skilling, re-skilling, technical and vocational education, undergraduate or postgraduate education, continuing professional development (CPD) or school engagement. Projects must demonstrate strong industry engagement and maintain developed learning resources for at least three years after project completion. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs under Innovate UK guidance, including labour, overheads, materials, subcontracting (where justified) and other eligible project costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS). (Innovation Funding Service)
Competitiveness
Approximately 20% chance of success based on similar Innovate UK competitions. (Innovation Funding Service)
Decision timeline
Applicants notified by 22 April 2026. (Innovation Funding Service)
Assessment process
Reviewed by three independent assessors. Portfolio approach 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
- Skills evidence appendix, approach appendix, project plan (or Gantt chart), commercialisation strategy and continuity plan, risk register, team summary appendix. (Innovation Funding Service)
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Portfolio balancing may influence funding decisions. Outstanding Innovate UK financial obligations or poor financial viability may affect award decisions. Funding is subject to sufficient high-quality applications. (Innovation Funding Service)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
2 Feb 2026
Project duration
3 to 6 months. (Innovation Funding Service)
Project start
1 Aug 2026
Project end
31 Jan 2027
Co-funders
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). (UK Research and Innovation)
Collaboration rules
- Applications may be single or collaborative. If collaborative, the lead must be a UK registered business. Projects must involve at least one UK registered business. No single partner can claim more than 70% of total eligible project costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-30.
Grant Name
Robotics Adoption Programme: Skills Development
Minimum Award
£100,000 grant funding request. (Innovate UK Business Connect)
Application Limit
An organisation may lead on one application and collaborate in up to four further applications. If not leading, organisations may collaborate in up to five applications. (Innovation Funding Service)
Research Category
Experimental development. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subcontractors
Allowed where appropriately justified. Procurement rules apply. Lower-cost options alone are not sufficient justification. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subsidy Scheme
Awarded under the Research, Development and Innovation Streamlined Subsidy Scheme (SC17080) under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. Classified as a subsidy. Not part of the Minimal Financial Assistance or De Minimis allowance. (Innovation Funding Service)
Sanctions Rule
Funding will not be provided where it breaches UK sanctions. (Innovation Funding Service)
Animal Research Rule
Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI guidance on animal welfare. (Innovation Funding Service)
Interview Stage
Not specified. (Innovation Funding Service)
Key Requirements
Projects must demonstrate industry demand, address identified robotics skills shortages, provide continuity of developed resources for a minimum of three years after funding, and start on the first day of the month. (Innovation Funding Service)
Important Notes
Projects must not start before receiving the Grant Offer Letter. Funding allocations may be adjusted. Financial viability checks apply. Projects form part of the wider £52 million Robotics Adoption Programme supporting robotics adoption through regional hubs, skills development and national coordination. (UK Research and Innovation)
Contact Email
support@iuk.ukri.org (Innovation Funding Service support). (Innovation Funding Service)
Official Grant Page
https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/robotics-adoption-programme-skills-development/ (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
25 March 2026 at 11:00am UK time. (Innovation Funding Service)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 25 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- Total eligible grant funding request must be between £100,000 and £500,000. (Innovate UK Business Connect)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, electronics, engineering, industrial technology and workforce skills development. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 3 Feb 2026