Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Discovery C6
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). It is funded by the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund.
What it funds
DescriptionThis competition is delivered by Innovate UK in partnership with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). It is funded by the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, which aims to deliver net zero at lowest cost to consumers and support innovative businesses to grow and scale.Discovery is the first phase of a four phase competition:DiscoveryAlphaBetaDeploymentThere are five challenge areas in the Discovery Phase:Challenge 1: Industrial and business connection accelerationChallenge
Who can apply
Who can applyThis award has been designed to be provided on a no subsidy basis, as defined in the Subsidy Control Act 2022.This means to be eligible, the award will not give an economic advantage to one or more organisations, and you must not be acting economically as an organisation within the meaning of the act.In limited circumstances, EU State aid rules may apply under the Windsor Framework and a ‘No Aid’ award may be given in accordance with the R&D&I Framework.Your ProjectYour Project must:have total eligible Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) requested funding of no more than £200,000, exclusive of VATprovide a minimum of 10% of total Project costs as a compulsory contribution from private fundsstart after 1 September 2026end by 31 January 2027be completed within the five month windowYour Project deliverables must be completed within the five month window stated.If your Project is completing an initial Discovery phase to develop an Innovation Charter, you will not be subject to a minimum 10% Compulsory Contribution. No Compulsory Contribution will be required.You are required to fulfil all monitoring requirements, for example, kick off meeting, end of phase meetings and Project
How to apply
Before you startYou must read the guidance on applying for a competition on the Innovation Funding Service before you start.SIF Governance Document - terms and conditions (T&Cs)The SIF Governance Document is specific to the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). It is issued by Ofgem further to the SIF Licence Condition and sets out the governance and administration of the SIF. Network operators and the Electricity System Operator must comply with the SIF Governance Document.The SIF Governance Document provides more information on:Eligibility Criteriaapplication processassessment of ProjectsProject delivery and monitoringfunding arrangementsProject administration, including compliance and auditsintellectual property rights and royaltieslearning and collaboration, including external stakeholder relationship development, information sharing and reportingThis list is not exhaustive.If your
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Related schemes
Innovate UK Grant Competitions
Innovate UK
Rolling portfolio of themed R&D grant competitions for UK businesses, typically funding 25-70% of project costs across feasibility, industrial research and experimental development.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Innovate UK / UKRI
Funds a high-calibre graduate (Associate) plus academic team embedded in your business for 12-36 months to deliver a strategic innovation project. SMEs typically pay ~33% of project costs.
R&D Tax Relief (Merged Scheme & ERIS)
HMRC
Corporation tax relief on qualifying R&D expenditure. Merged scheme gives a 20% above-the-line credit (~15-16% net); loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs can claim enhanced support (ERIS) worth up to ~27p per £1 of qualifying spend.