What is UKRI funding?
UK Research and Innovation is the body that brings together the research councils and Innovate UK. Much of its money is for universities and research organisations. A business usually meets it through an Innovate UK competition or a partnership such as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, not through a general small-business form.
Also asked as: UK Research and Innovation grants · UKRI for businesses · research council funding
Can a shop apply to a research council?
Only if the brief invites that kind of applicant. Most research-council rounds want a research organisation in the lead. Read who may apply before you write.
Schemes named here
- Knowledge Transfer PartnershipInnovate UK · Not a cash award · A business · 2 or more · Manufacturing, Digital and creative, Professional services, Health and care · No fixed date
- Innovate UK Smart grantInnovate UK · £25,000–£2,000,000 · A business · Up to 249 · Manufacturing, Digital and creative, Energy and environment, Professional services, Health and care · Closes 20 Jan 2027
Related
128 answers on this site. Find Grants checks which UK grants a business can get from a postcode or a place. Looking is free. If you want the application written, the fee is £99 for that one application, shown before you pay. Find Grants does not take a percentage of the grant, does not file the form, and is not part of GOV.UK. Confirm every scheme on the funder's own site.