Got clean energy solutions? Apply for the UK innovation fund (US$50 million)

uk innovation fund - climateaction

Got clean energy solutions? Apply for the UK innovation fund (US$50 million)

As part of Innovate UK’s Energy Catalyst Round 9 and 10 funding cycles, the UK innovation fund competition is now open for application.

The aim of the UK innovation fund competition is to create a just and inclusive energy transition, accelerate the innovations needed to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or Indo-Pacific regions, and extend the benefits of clean energy to all to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs) 7 ‘Affordable and clean energy’ and 13 ‘Climate action’.

The UK innovation fund (up to US$50 million) will be made available to help combat climate change through clean energy access and create as well as demonstrate new technologies and business models delivering a just and inclusive clean energy transition.

Funding for the two rounds is coming from the UK Government’s Ayton Fund for clean energy innovation, including the scale-up of the FCDO’s Transforming Energy Access platform announced at COP 26 in Glasgow.

According to Vicky Ford, the UK’s Minister for Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, “The UK is stepping up our partnership with emerging economies to help them access the clean and affordable energy they need. We’re delivering on the Glasgow Breakthroughs, the commitments made at COP26 to ensure clean technologies are the cheapest and best choice for all globally,”

“Since 2016 our Transforming Energy Access Programme has already helped innovative businesses deliver clean energy access to more than 16 million people, and leverage over GBP890 million in further investment. These two new funding rounds will support many more companies working in this area, grow our partnerships with other countries, and help combat climate change.”

Innovate UK’s Energy Catalyst programme is one of the UK’s biggest energy access focused grant funding initiatives. This latest round of funding aims to support innovations which improve energy access in a sustainable way, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in these regions.

By also providing financial and advisory support to innovators, the programme helps to create strategic partnerships, channel knowledge and insights and develop business models to commercialise the solutions that will improve lives.

The UK innovation fund competition is open to organisations working to create new or improved clean energy solutions for target regions and each collaborative project can apply for up to US$6.25 million in project costs.

Applicants can be from anywhere in the world, provided a project admin lead is based in the UK and the project:

  • Improves energy access in official development assistance (ODA) eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Indo-Pacific regions
  • Has technology or business model which is affordable, reliable and low carbon
  • Considers the role of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)

Applications for Round 9 close on August 10, with Round 10 expected to be announced in early 2023.

For more information on the UK innovation fund and to apply, visit the UK Government’s website here.

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