Robotics adoption hubs
Innovate UK · United Kingdom
Funding to establish regional Robotics Adoption Hubs. Hubs will act as one stop shops to help end users adopt robotics and autonomous systems. The aim is to accelerate adoption, improve productivity and deliver public benefit.
Summary
Deadline
15 Apr 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to establish regional Robotics Adoption Hubs. Hubs will act as one stop shops to help end users adopt robotics and autonomous systems. The aim is to accelerate adoption, improve productivity and deliver public benefit.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Research, Public Sector
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Robotics and autonomous systems across sectors. Themes may include manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, health and care, energy generation or distribution, and maritime.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK registered business of any size, research and technology organisation, public sector organisation, or academic institution UK registered business, RTO, public sector organisation or academic institution may lead. Provide impartial advice on robotics adoption. Connect end users with vendors, integrators and finance providers. Showcase robotics technologies. Develop self sustaining Hub model. ...
Eligible applicants
UK registered business of any size, research and technology organisation, public sector organisation, or academic institution
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Grant request must be between £2,000,000 and £7,500,000
Total fund available
£38,000,000
Funding intensity
Up to 70% for micro or small organisations. Up to 60% for medium organisations. Up to 50% for large organisations. Research organisations undertaking non economic activity may receive up to 100% of eligible costs or 80% FEC where applicable.
Payment type
Reimbursement (in arrears)
Eligible scope
Provide impartial advice on robotics adoption. Connect end users with vendors, integrators and finance providers. Showcase robotics technologies. Develop self sustaining Hub model. Collect and share evaluation data. Collaborate with central convening body.
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs as defined by Innovate UK. Includes subcontractor costs where justified. Research organisations undertaking non economic activity may claim eligible costs within funding limits.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under Innovate UK IFS competition guidance.
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Applicants notified after interview stage.
Assessment process
Reviewed by three independent assessors. Portfolio approach applied.
Application sections
- Project details. Application questions. Finances. Project Impact.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Technical appendix where specified. Project plan or Gantt chart. Risk register. Optional supporting appendices up to stated limits.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Out of scope applications rejected. Portfolio balancing may limit awards. Outstanding financial issues may affect decision.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
24 Feb 2026
Project duration
40 to 43 months
Project start
31 Aug 2026
Project end
30 Mar 2030
Co-funders
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
Collaboration rules
- Single applicants allowed. If the lead is an academic institution or RTO, collaboration with at least one business is required. In collaborations, no partner may account for more than 70% of total eligible costs.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicants and collaborations permitted.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Application Limit","value":"An organisation may lead one application and collaborate in two further applications. If not leading, it may collaborate in any number of applications."},{"label":"Eligible Robotics Definition","value":"Includes drones operating on land, sea and air. Includes autonomous plant and service robots. Includes industrial robots using sensors, actuators and control software. Software only systems are excluded."},{"label":"Subsidy Scheme","value":"Subsidy Scheme: Robotics Adoption Hubs SC11454 under the Subsidy Control Act 2022"},{"label":"Service Support Cap","value":"Hubs may deliver services to end users without charge up to a gross cash equivalent value of £200,000. Awards over £100,000 must be reported within 10 working days."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Allowed. Overseas subcontractors must be justified. Cheaper cost alone is not sufficient reason."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Shortlisted applicants invited to interview between 15 June 2026 and 19 June 2026. Presentation required. Interview score may supersede initial score."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Must demonstrate impartial advice capability. Must evidence market need and connections with end users. Must achieve tangible robotics adoption results during project. Must develop a self sustaining Hub model."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Work must be carried out in the UK. Results must be exploited from or in the UK. Projects must start on the first of the month. Applications cannot be transferred between competitions."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 15 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- Grant request must be between £2,000,000 and £7,500,000
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Reimbursement (in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Robotics and autonomous systems across sectors. Themes may include manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, health and care, energy generation or distribution, and maritime.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 26 Feb 2026