Battery Innovation: Feasibility Studies, Round 3

Innovate UK’s successor programme to the Faraday Battery Challenge funds feasibility studies across the full battery value chain, spanning raw material extraction, material processing, cell production, module and pack integration and diagnostics, and recycling and circular economy approaches. Grants run GBP 70K to GBP 500K per project from a GBP 25M pot, covering 70 percent of eligible costs for micro and small firms, 60 percent for medium and 50 percent for large, with projects of 6 to 18 months starting from 1 May 2027. Eligibility is restrictive: the lead must be a UK registered business, academics cannot lead, collaboration is mandatory, and the consortium must include at least one UK registered SME claiming grant. The round opened 11 September 2026 and closes 2 December 2026 at 11:00 UK time; primary non-rechargeable batteries, personal mobility and consumer electronics applications are out of scope.