TechLocal Connecting Local Tale

Animal Research Rule: Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI animal welfare guidance. Additional information required if applicable.

Appendices Required: One appendix for approach. One appendix for team summary. Project plan or Gantt chart. Risk register.

Application Limit: A business, RTO, academic institution, charity, not for profit or public sector organisation can lead one application and collaborate in two more. If not leading, can collaborate in two. Local authorities can collaborate in any number but cannot lead.

Application Platform: Innovation Funding Service

Application Sections: Project details. Application questions. Finances.

Assessment Process: Reviewed by three independent assessors. Portfolio approach applied.

Co-Funder: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Collaboration Rules: Collaboration only. Lead and at least one other organisation must apply for funding. No partner may account for more than 70% of total eligible costs.

Competitiveness: Approximately 20% chance of success based on similar competitions.

Decision Risks: Portfolio approach may limit awards. Financial viability checks apply. Prior non-compliance with Innovate UK terms may affect funding.

Decision Timeline: Applicants notified 27 April 2026.

Eligible Expenses: Eligible project costs only. Must comply with Innovate UK project cost guidance. Academic institutions must upload Je-S form where applicable.

Eligible Scope: Projects must enable local talent into entry level tech jobs. Must demonstrate impact in specified geographic areas. Must align with local economic growth plans and skills strategies. Must contribute to TechLocal target of 1,000 new tech jobs.

Funding Intensity: As per industrial research funding rates. Research organisations undertaking non-economic activity may share up to 50% of total eligible costs.

Funding Rate: Industrial research funding: 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 can receive up to 100% of eligible costs. Je-S registered institutions receive 80% FEC.

Important Notes: Round 1 of potential four rounds. Projects must not start before Grant Offer Letter approval. Funding allocation may be adjusted.

Ineligible Projects: Projects not in scope. Projects without clear geographic impact. Projects not linked to at least one frontier technology. Projects replicating other TechFirst initiatives or Local Innovation Partnerships. Research papers or feasibility studies only. Projects dependent on export performance or domestic input usage.

Interview Stage: Not specified

Key Requirements: Must demonstrate local networks. Must show measurable job creation. Must support frontier technologies. Must not include URLs in application answers. Must start on first of the month.

Match Funding Requirement: Required for commercial organisations according to funding intensity limits.

Project Duration: 6 to 9 months

Project End Date: Must end by 31 March 2027

Project Start Date: From 1 July 2026

Publication Date: 2026-01-28 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Previously submitted applications that reached assessment stage may be resubmitted once if not materially different.

Research Category: Industrial research

Sanctions Rule: Funding will not be provided where it breaches UK sanctions.

Subcontractors: Allowed. Overseas subcontractors must be justified and evidence provided.

Subsidy Scheme: Awarded under the Research, Development and Innovation Streamlined Subsidy Scheme SC10780 under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. Classified as a Subsidy. Does not form part of Minimal Financial Assistance allowance.

Total Fund Available: £7,600,000