Robotics adoption programme: skills development
Innovate UK · United Kingdom
Grant funding to develop vocational robotics skills courses. Supports course content and materials to address robotics workforce skills gaps in the UK. Part of the Robotics Adoption Programme.
Summary
Deadline
25 Mar 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant funding to develop vocational robotics skills courses. Supports course content and materials to address robotics workforce skills gaps in the UK. Part of the Robotics Adoption Programme.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Research, Public Sector, Charity Community
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Robotics. Electronics. Manufacturing. Robotics and AI.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK registered business of any size, research organisation, research and technology organisation, academic institution, charity, not for profit, or public sector organisation. UK registered organisation eligible per robotics adoption programme skills development competition. Development of robotics training content and materials. Must address robotics industrial skills shortages. Must demonstrat...
Eligible applicants
UK registered business of any size, research organisation, research and technology organisation, academic institution, charity, not for profit, or public sector organisation.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Grant funding request must be between £100,000 and £500,000
Total fund available
£2,500,000
Funding intensity
Up to 45% for micro or small organisations. Up to 35% for medium organisations. Up to 25% for large organisations. Research organisations undertaking non economic activity can share up to 70% of total eligible project costs. RTOs, charities, not for profits and public sector organisations can receive up to 100% of eligible costs. Je-S registered academic institutions can receive 80% FEC.
Payment type
Reimbursement (in arrears)
Eligible scope
Development of robotics training content and materials. Must address robotics industrial skills shortages. Must demonstrate strong industrial links. Must commit to maintaining the resource for at least three years after project completion. Must provide new training opportunities not already available.
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs only. Must comply with Innovate UK project cost guidance.
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 22 April 2026.
Assessment process
Reviewed by three independent assessors. Portfolio approach may be applied.
Application sections
- Project details. Application questions. Finances. Project Impact.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Appendix for industry skills evidence. Appendix for approach. Team summary appendix. Commercialisation strategy and continuity plan. Risk register. Project plan or Gantt chart.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Portfolio approach may limit awards. Outstanding payments to Innovate UK may affect decision. Funding subject to sufficient high quality applications.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
2 Feb 2026
Project duration
3 to 6 months
Project start
31 Jul 2026
Project end
30 Jan 2027
Co-funders
- Department of Science, Innovation and Technology
Collaboration rules
- Open to single applicants or collaborations. If the lead is not a business, it must collaborate with at least one UK registered business. No partner may account for more than 70% of total eligible costs.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicants or collaborations per IFS competition guidance.
Additional guidance
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Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 25 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- Grant funding request must be between £100,000 and £500,000
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Reimbursement (in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Research Innovation, Public Sector, Charity Community, Mixed
- Industry
- Robotics. Electronics. Manufacturing. Robotics and AI.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 3 Feb 2026