Semiconductors and Components f

Application Platform: Innovation Funding Service

Application Sections: Project details, application questions, finances, project impact. Technical diagram, project plan, risk register and optional letters may be required as appendices.

Assessment Process: Assessed by three independent assessors. Portfolio approach applied. Projects over £1 million may be invited to interview.

Collaboration Requirements: Collaborative projects must include at least one UK registered SME claiming grant funding. No partner may account for more than 70% of total eligible costs.

Competitiveness: Estimated 20% to 30% chance of success based on previous competitions.

Decision Risks: Portfolio balancing may limit awards. Failure to meet eligibility, scope or funding limits results in rejection. Outstanding financial issues with Innovate UK may affect funding decision.

Eligible Component Types: Integrated sensors, secure processors, AI hardware accelerators, actuator drivers, power management components, hardware security modules, memory and storage components, data routing components.

Eligible Expenses: Eligible project costs as defined under Innovate UK project cost guidance. Includes industrial research costs aligned to the competition rules.

Eligible Research Category: Category 2 Industrial Research.

Funding Intensity: Industrial research funding up to 70% for micro or small organisations, up to 60% for medium organisations, up to 50% for large organisations. Research organisations may receive up to 100% of eligible costs or 80% FEC where applicable.

Important Notes: Projects must start on the first of the month. Work must be carried out in the UK. Results must be exploited from or in the UK. Public funding classified as a subsidy under the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

Ineligible Projects: Projects developing standalone technologies not ready for integration. Projects focused on AI model development, platform level communications modules, or end application software. Projects dependent on export performance or domestic input usage conditions.

Integration Requirement: Components must be delivered in a consumable format. Must be ready for integration as in-package components or packaged parts for PCB integration.

Interview Stage: Interviews held between 19 May and 22 May 2026. Presentation required. Final score may supersede written assessment score.

Key Requirements: Define target use case supporting automation or autonomy. Define functional interfaces and reusability. Demonstrate adoption potential by third party integrators. Provide market estimation and USP.

Previous Application Rule: Previously assessed applications may be resubmitted once if not materially different.

Project Duration: 12 to 18 months

Project End Date: Must end by 31 January 2028

Project Size: Total eligible grant funding request must be between £500,000 and £2,000,000

Project Start Date: Must start by 1 August 2026

Research Participation Limit: Research organisations undertaking non-economic activity can share up to 30% of total eligible project costs.

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

Scope of Funding: Development of reusable components for integration into smart electronic platforms. Components must support the Sense, Decide, Act pipeline or platform enablement.

Subcontractors: Allowed. Overseas subcontractors must be justified. Costs must be appropriate and justified.

Subsidy Scheme: Research, Development and Innovation Streamlined Subsidy Scheme under the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

Total Fund Available: Up to £18,500,000