Energy catalyst round 11: early stage
Innovate UK · Projects must target ODA-eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and Latin America. The administrative lead must be a UK registered organisation.
Grant funding competition supporting early-stage innovation projects that create or improve clean energy access in ODA-eligible countries. The programme aims to accelerate technologies and business models that deliver affordable, reliable and low-carbon energy solutions while supporting Sustainable Development Goals related to energy access and climate action.
Summary
Deadline
25 Mar 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant funding competition supporting early-stage innovation projects that create or improve clean energy access in ODA-eligible countries. The programme aims to accelerate technologies and business models that deliver affordable, reliable and low-carbon energy solutions while supporting Sustainable Development Goals related to energy access and climate action.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Research
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Clean energy innovation including solar, sustainable cooling, modern cooking services, energy efficiency, industrial decarbonisation, clean transport, smart energy systems, energy storage, clean hydrogen, critical minerals and zero emissions generators.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Businesses of any size, research organisations, research and technology organisations, charities and non-governmental organisations. The administrative lead must be a UK registered organisation responsible for submitting the application and managing grant distribution. Projects must create or improve access to affordable, reliable and low-carbon energy in eligible countries and support developm...
Eligible applicants
Businesses of any size, research organisations, research and technology organisations, charities and non-governmental organisations.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£50,000 to £300,000
Total fund available
£7,000,000
Funding intensity
Up to 70% of eligible project costs for micro or small organisations, up to 60% for medium organisations and up to 50% for large organisations.
Payment type
Reimbursement (in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects must create or improve access to affordable, reliable and low-carbon energy in eligible countries and support development, testing or scale-up of innovative energy technologies or business models.
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs directly related to the innovation project including development, testing and project delivery activities.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under Energy Catalyst round 11 IFS competition guidance.
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS).
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Applicants notified around 18 May 2026.
Assessment process
Applications are reviewed by independent assessors based on competition criteria and project quality.
Application sections
- Project details, application questions and financial information.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they fall outside the competition scope, fail eligibility checks or do not comply with ODA requirements.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
5 Jan 2026
Project duration
Between 3 and 12 months
Project start
31 Jul 2026
Project end
30 Mar 2030
Co-funders
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative projects are allowed and must include at least one SME claiming grant funding.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicants (UK SME) or collaborations; international partners permitted for ODA energy access in eligible countries.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Single Applicant Rule","value":"Single applicants must be a UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprise (SME) and must meet both administrative lead and technology lead criteria."},{"label":"Technology Lead","value":"Responsible for technical development and project work packages. Can be from any country and must claim grant funding."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Feasibility projects."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Allowed and may be based anywhere in the world, provided costs are justified and selected through normal procurement processes."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must demonstrate ODA compliance, improve clean energy access, and address affordability, reliability and carbon reduction while considering Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Successful projects will be enrolled in the Energy Access Accelerator programme which provides additional support to improve commercialisation of clean energy innovations."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 25 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £50,000 to £300,000
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Reimbursement (in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Research Innovation, Mixed
- Industry
- Clean energy innovation including solar, sustainable cooling, modern cooking services, energy efficiency, industrial decarbonisation, clean transport, smart energy systems, energy storage, clean hydrogen, critical minerals and zero emissions generators.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 5 Jan 2026