UKRI Translation: Proof of Concept
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) · United Kingdom
Funding to support early to mid-stage commercialisation of research, enabling development of new products, processes, or services through routes such as licensing or venture creation.
Summary
Deadline
13 May 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to support early to mid-stage commercialisation of research, enabling development of new products, processes, or services through routes such as licensing or venture creation.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research, Public Sector
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
All research disciplines including multidisciplinary projects across UKRI councils
Match funding
Needs verification
Requirements
Researchers and support staff based at UK research organisations eligible for UKRI funding, including postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, fellows, and knowledge exchange staff UK research organisation eligible for participating UKRI council proof of concept funding. Commercialisation of existing research, including validation of concepts, development of prototypes, and preparation fo...
Eligible applicants
Researchers and support staff based at UK research organisations eligible for UKRI funding, including postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, fellows, and knowledge exchange staff
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£9,000,000
Total fund available
£9,000,000
Funding intensity
Not specified
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Commercialisation of existing research, including validation of concepts, development of prototypes, and preparation for licensing or spinouts
Eligible expenses
- Research commercialisation activities including technical development, market validation, IP strategy, regulatory preparation, and access to specialised expertise
Ineligible costs
- Fundamental or curiosity-driven research, discovery research, public engagement activities, and IP filing costs such as patents
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Not specified
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Research commercialisation proposal, costings, and supporting documentation submitted via institutional process
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Vision, approach, applicant capability, ethics, resource justification, and project impact
Timeline and partners
Opening date
4 Mar 2026
Project duration
Not specified
Project start
30 Sept 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- International applicants based outside the UK are not eligible to apply
Consortium requirements
- Single lead organisation per UKRI Translation Proof of Concept guidance.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Key Organisational Requirements","value":"Must be hosted by a UK research organisation; institutional caps apply on number of submissions; applications submitted via research office"},{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"£100,000 to £250,000 (FEC); UKRI funds 80% of costs; project duration 6 to 9 months"},{"label":"Environmental & EDI Requirements","value":"Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion; flexible working and support for diverse applicant circumstances encouraged"},{"label":"important notes","value":"Projects must focus on commercialisation rather than discovery research; resubmissions not allowed unless invited; institutional application caps apply"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 13 May 2026
- Funding amount
- £9,000,000
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- All research disciplines including multidisciplinary projects across UKRI councils
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- Not specified