Current funding streams - Spin-Outs and Start-Ups

Search the open competitions below to find funding for your next telecoms R&D project.

For guidance on applications, forming a consortium and reviewing funding opportunities, book an appointment with one of our specialist advisers today at specialistguidance@uktin.net.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is an EU research and innovation programme. It has a budget of €95.5 billion and runs until 2027.

The UK agreed a deal to associate to Horizon Europe on 7 September 2023.

UK researchers can now apply for Horizon Europe funding, certain that all successful UK applicants will be covered through the UK’s association (or through the guarantee) for the remainder of the programme.

Horizon Europe

Space for Olympic Games | ESA Business Applications

The Thematic Call for proposals aims at supporting new space-based services for the digital transformation and sustainability of the sport sector, specifically in the organisation, management, and further exploitation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Space - UK12S (UK innovation and science seed fund)

Drive innovation and economic growth by developing groundbreaking space-based technology.

Supporting early-stage companies is vital to ensuring the continued growth of the space industry. Whether that’s through downstream applications, in-orbit servicing and manufacturing or spacecraft technologies…

We invest in innovations emerging from the UK’s publicly funded science and knowledge base. We specialise in engineering biology, defence & security, fusion energy, and space to facilitate sustainable growth, enhance the health and security of society, improve productivity, and deliver economic gains emerging from UK’s public funding portfolio.

Our investment decisions are based on both the potential societal impact of technologies and the potential for financial return.

Global Business Innovation Programme

Innovate UK’s Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) helps innovative SMEs to collaborate and explore global markets, accelerating business growth.

Each GBIP, focused on a specific market and technology or sector area, involves a cohort of up to 15 ambitious innovative UK businesses looking to grow and scale globally. The programme aims to help businesses explore future opportunities and to better understand what is needed to be successful on the global stage.

The GBIP provides detailed market knowledge, cultural insight, and introductions and connections, opening doors that SMEs might find difficult to do themselves. Each business is supported by an Innovate UK Business Growth innovation and growth specialist to help maximise the potential of being part of the programme and beyond.

Canada-UK Collaborative R&D

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £3 million for collaboration with Canadian SMEs on joint R&D projects.

6G-XR-OC3

This third and final wave of 6G-XR Open Call “Vertical Replicability Enablers” invites innovators to participate in the Vertical Replicability Enablers Open Call (6G-XR-OC3), providing access to advanced 6G-XR infrastructure, testbeds, and enablers. This initiative allows external teams to deploy, replicate, and validate their own XR use cases, from real-time holographic communications to immersive technologies and energy measurement framework for energy sustainability, as part of shaping the 6G era.

Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 10, business and non-academic

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £110 million for ambitious research and innovation projects in any sector, and tailored support to develop careers for future leaders. This funding is from UKRI.

Competition opens: Monday 23 June 2025
Competition closes: Wednesday 5 November 2025 11:00am

This competition has not yet opened.

6G Telco Cloud and Service Provision Enablers

Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) has opened its 2025 Calls in May for submission in September.

Those interested in submitting a proposal can find more details about the 2025 open SNS Calls and various Topics.

6G NTN-TN Unification/Integration

Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) has opened its 2025 Calls in May for submission in September.

Those interested in submitting a proposal can find more details about the 2025 open SNS Calls and various Topics.

Higher Speed Optical Access Networks and future end-to-end Packet Optical Network Architecture in 6G

Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) has opened its 2025 Calls in May for submission in September.

The main outcome will be the availability of higher speed optical access networks and future end-to-end packet optical network architecture to be integrated and interfaced to the overall 6G architecture. Such systems can be applied to all domains in the system and allow a very energy-efficient data transport for very high throughput rates.

Canada-UK Semiconductors

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of at least £1 million for collaboration with Canadian SMEs on joint Semiconductors projects.

Defence Innovation Loans 2025-26

Loans of up to £1m to help convert your mature defence innovation into a strong business proposition, with a below market interest rate of 7.4% per annum.

Cycle closing date: 01/07/2026

Microelectronic – Front-End Module (FEM)