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Secure the funding you need to innovate and grow your business with our round-up of the best grant opportunities coming up in the next couple of months. Our curated selection of the latest funding schemes includes grant opportunities for health & care, social impact, sustainability, and digital innovation.
Sustainability:
Small Business Britain: Green Growth Awards
Celebrating UK small businesses using sustainability to drive growth.
What is it? The Green Growth Awards and Green Growth 100, led by Small Business Britain in partnership with BT, recognise 100 inspiring UK small businesses that are using sustainability as a driver for business growth. Successful businesses will be named in the Green Growth 100 and invited to an awards event in March 2026. Two standout businesses will each receive a £5,000 Green Growth Award grant to help scale their sustainability ambitions, with additional non-cash runner-up prizes also available.
Who is it for? UK small businesses that are actively using sustainability initiatives to support growth, innovation, and long-term resilience.
Deadline: 9th January 2026
Big Give: Earth Raise
A national match-funding campaign supporting environmental charities.
What is it? Earth Raise is a seven-day online match funding campaign run by Big Give in partnership with the Environmental Funders Network (EFN). Building on the success of the Green Match Fund, Earth Raise doubles public donations to high-impact environmental charities through match funding from philanthropists and funders.
Who is it for? UK-registered charities (or tax-exempt equivalents) with an annual income of at least £25,000, where environmental action is part of their core mission. Eligible charities may work in the UK or overseas and cover areas such as climate change, biodiversity, sustainable communities, energy, transport, food systems, waste, or pollution.
Deadline: 16th January 2026
Social Impact
Army Benevolent Fund – Charity Grants
Funding to support UK charity organisations delivering services for the Army family.
What is it? The Army Benevolent Fund offers grants to UK-registered charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs) that provide direct support to members of the Army family, including soldiers, former soldiers and veterans, and their immediate families. Funding is intended for projects that address an evidenced need not currently met by other providers (including other charities). Applicants must demonstrate strong governance, financial sustainability, and meaningful impact for beneficiaries.
Who is it for? UK-registered charities or CICs delivering services that directly benefit the Army family, with clear evidence of need, robust governance, and financial sustainability.
Deadline: 20th January 2026
AB Charitable Trust: Open Programme Grants
Funding to support projects that champion human dignity and help marginalised groups in the UK.
What is it? The AB Charitable Trust provides grants to initiatives that tackle social exclusion and promote justice and human dignity. Grants can be awarded for one to three years. The Trust values collaboration, learning, and efficiency, aiming to support organisations in ways that maximise impact for the communities they serve. Typical grant amounts range from £10,000 to £30,000 per year.
Who is it for? UK-based charities and organisations working with the most marginalised or excluded groups, including those addressing social justice, inequality, or systemic disadvantage.
Deadline: 30th January 2026
Ford Britain Trust: Large Grants
Funding to support community projects close to Ford’s UK locations.
What is it? The Ford Britain Trust provides large grants to support projects that deliver clear, lasting benefits to local communities near Ford’s UK operations. Established in 1975, the Trust focuses on funding initiatives that support education and community advancement, with particular emphasis on projects that improve opportunities, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Who is it for? UK-based charities and qualifying organisations delivering projects focused on education, the environment, children and young people, people with disabilities, youth activities, or other initiatives that clearly benefit local communities close to Ford’s UK locations.
Deadline: 31st January 2026
Emerging Technology
Innovate UK – Innovation Loans: Future Economy (Round 24)
Funding to support late-stage R&D projects with clear commercialisation potential in key future economy sectors.
What is it? Innovate UK is offering loans of £100,000 to £5 million to UK-registered SMEs for highly innovative late-stage research and development projects. Eligible projects must deliver new or significantly improved products, processes, services, or business models, with a clear route to commercialisation and measurable economic impact. Focus areas include Net Zero (energy, industrial processes, agriculture, food, capital-intensive technologies), Health and Wellbeing (ill health, diet, food), and Next Generation Digital and Technology Families (AI, advanced computing, bioinformatics, genomics, robotics, smart machines, advanced materials, quantum, energy and environment technologies). Projects can cover both R&D and commercialisation phases and last up to five years.
Who is it for? UK-registered micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with late-stage R&D projects that demonstrate high innovation, commercial potential, and a credible repayment plan.
Deadline: 8th January 2026
Innovate UK Growth Catalyst – Investor Partnerships Round 2
Grant funding and investment support for high-potential UK startups and scaleups.
What is it? Innovate UK Growth Catalyst helps late-stage, growth-oriented UK companies accelerate innovation and scale. The programme combines grant funding of up to £900k per company with aligned private investment from approved Innovate UK Investor Partners, plus structured growth support. Projects can include feasibility studies, industrial research, or experimental development and must align with Innovate UK’s strategic objectives across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defence, digital technologies, life sciences, batteries, and foundation industries.
Who is it for? UK-registered companies with high growth potential, planning to scale rapidly, and with confirmed backing from at least one approved Innovate UK Investor Partner.
Deadline: 3rd February 2026
EU EIC – Advanced Innovation Challenges
Funding and support for high-risk deep tech innovations with transformative potential.
What is it? The EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges aim to accelerate high-risk, demand-driven deep tech projects in areas with extensive research but limited commercial uptake. Funding is delivered in two stages: Stage 1 provides a lump sum of €300,000 to develop and validate solutions, while Stage 2 offers up to €2.5 million to further develop, test, and scale innovations in real-world settings. Projects also benefit from coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities to increase market adoption. Focus areas for this pilot include Physical AI for next-generation robotics and New Approach Methodologies to replace or reduce animal testing in biomedical research and product safety.
Who is it for? Start-ups, SMEs, and research organisations (including universities, research and technology organisations, individual inventors, and Principal Investigators) developing breakthrough deep tech solutions with strong commercialisation potential. Must be established in a Member State or an Associated Country (‘mono-beneficiary’) if a startup, SME or research performing organisation
Deadline: 26th February 2026
Health and Wellbeing
Muscular Dystrophy UK: Grant Round 2026
Funding for UK research into muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions.
What is it? The 2026 Grant Round offers funding for PhD studentships and research projects that increase understanding of neuromuscular conditions, advance potential treatments, or improve quality of life. Projects can be basic, pre-clinical, clinical, or focused on symptom management, physiotherapy, exercise, fatigue, or chronic pain. Funding is available for 2–3-year project grants (up to £100,000 per year), 1-year proof-of-principle projects (up to £30,000), and 4-year PhD studentships (stipends, university fees, and consumables up to £10,000 per year). Research must align with Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Research Strategy, and international collaborations are encouraged.
Who is it for? UK-based researchers, including early-career researchers, PhD students, and established principal investigators. Applicants may submit one application per grant type and a single resubmission of a previous Muscular Dystrophy UK application is permitted.
Deadline: 20th January 2026
Macmillan CARE Grants Programme
Funding for UK community organisations tackling unfairness in cancer care.
What is it? The CARE (Culture, Agency, Respect, Equity) Grants Programme supports projects that challenge inequalities in cancer care and create lasting change for those facing the greatest barriers. Grants focus on three themes: Cultural Responsiveness in Cancer Care, Shared Decision-Making, and Dementia-Friendly Cancer Care. Grant values range from £50,000 to £150,000, and projects can be delivered anywhere in the UK.
Who is it for? UK-based voluntary, community, faith, or social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, including: Registered charities and CIOs, Community Interest Companies (CICs), Companies Limited by Guarantee, Faith-based organisations, and Community benefit societies.
Deadline: 23rd January 2026
BBSRC 2025 Transformative Research Technologies (25TRT)
Funding for UK researchers developing cutting-edge bioscience technologies.
What is it? The programme offers UK-based researchers the chance to secure funding for early-stage development of novel bioscience technologies that could deliver a step-change in research capability. Projects can include technology development, proof-of-concept prototypes, bioinformatics tools, or computational approaches such as AI and modelling. Funding supports 6–18 month projects, covering up to 80% of full economic cost, with a maximum award of £225,000. Interdisciplinary and collaborative projects, including “problem owner–solution provider” partnerships, are encouraged.
Who is it for? Researchers or research technical professionals at UK research organisations eligible for BBSRC funding. Applicants can only lead one project but may co-lead multiple projects. International collaborations are welcome, provided the lead is UK-based.
Deadline: 11th February 2026
Other
Women in Innovation Awards 2025/26
Grants and business support for women founders or co-founders of UK SMEs.
What is it? The Women in Innovation Awards support women entrepreneurs to scale their innovative ideas, drive business growth, and tackle societal, environmental, or economic challenges. Successful applicants receive a 12-month package including a grant of up to £75,000, bespoke business support, training, networking, and role-modelling opportunities. Up to 60 awards will be made.
Who is it for? Women founders or co-founders of UK-registered micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Deadline: 4th February 2026
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) 2025–2026: Round Five
Funding for UK organisations to collaborate with businesses on innovation projects.
What is it? The KTP programme offers UK-registered academic institutions, research and technology organisations (RTOs), and Catapults the opportunity to access a share of up to £10 million to fund innovation projects with businesses. Projects aim to transfer knowledge and expertise from research organisations into commercial applications, supporting business growth and innovation.
Who is it for? UK-registered higher or further education institutions, RTOs, or Catapults collaborating with a UK-registered business with at least two full-time employees.
Deadline: 4th February 2026
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
If you can’t see a grant relevant to your industry, our curated grant opportunities finder contains an expansive array of the best national and local funding available across sectors.
Our team of expert consultants can help you identify different funding routes for your organisation that suits your business model and aspirations to grow. Whether you’re looking for bespoke grant funding opportunities, support with writing bids and tenders, or advice on preparing your pitch deck for investors, our experienced team can help you find an approach that’s right for you.
Speak to a member of our team today to start your funding journey.
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