UK technology startups developing the next generation of communications solutions may be eligible for significant public funding through the Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators Grant 2026.

Innovate UK is delivering the competition as part of the UK Research and Innovation Advanced Connectivity Technologies Research and Development Programme. Funding is provided by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The competition has a total funding pot of up to £500,000, with individual applicants able to request between £25,000 and £50,000. Applications opened on 7 July 2026 and will close at 11:00am UK time on 5 August 2026.

For eligible UK micro and small businesses that have not previously received direct Innovate UK funding, this could provide the financial support needed to test, demonstrate and commercialise a promising connectivity innovation.

What Is the Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators Grant?

The competition is designed to help ambitious early-stage businesses develop affordable, adoptable and investable solutions within the advanced connectivity sector.

Innovations may include new products, services, processes or business models. However, the proposed solution must be significantly ahead of alternatives currently available or demonstrate a genuinely innovative application of existing technology.

Projects should contribute to the development and commercialisation of next-generation communications technologies that strengthen the United Kingdom’s security, resilience, sustainability and long-term competitiveness. Applicants must also show that they have an innovative idea, require public funding and possess the ability to deliver the proposed project.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Each eligible project can request between £25,000 and £50,000.

Unlike many innovation competitions that require applicants to provide part of the project cost, this competition can fund 100% of eligible project costs. Your total project cost must therefore equal the amount of grant funding requested.

A project costing £40,000, for example, must request £40,000 in funding. Applications will be declared ineligible if project costs exceed £50,000, fall below £25,000 or do not match the grant request.

The planned payment structure is:

• 50% within approximately one month of the agreed project start date;
• 40% in arrears after approval of the relevant claim and spending evidence;
• the final 10% after approval of the final claim.

Who Can Apply for the Grant?

The lead applicant must be a UK-registered micro or small business.

The business must carry out its project work in the UK, intend to exploit the results in the UK and spend most of the grant funding within the UK. Projects must last between three and six months, start by 1 November 2026 and end no later than 30 April 2027.

Businesses that have previously received direct funding from Innovate UK are generally not eligible. However, funding received before company formation in an academic capacity, or support received through certain Innovate UK Business Growth, Catapult or academic accelerator programmes, may not prevent an application.

Each eligible business may submit only one application, and the competition will award funding to no more than one project per business.

What Types of Projects Are Eligible?

Projects must address at least one of two Advanced Connectivity Technologies Grand Challenges.

Secure and Resilient Networks

This theme covers innovations that make communications networks more secure, reliable and resistant to disruption. Examples include:

• AI-powered network threat detection;
• zero-trust communications infrastructure;
• quantum-safe cryptography;
• protection against interference, spoofing and jamming;
• self-healing networks;
• secure multi-vendor interoperability;
• integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

Sustainable Networks

This theme focuses on reducing the environmental impact of communications infrastructure while improving the use of limited spectrum. Eligible ideas may address energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, network cooling, advanced semiconductors, photonic technologies, efficient fibre or backhaul systems, material efficiency and digital product passports.

Projects that only produce reports or academic papers will not be funded. Applicants must demonstrate measurable technical improvement, commercial potential, value for money and the likelihood of positive economic or social impact.

How to Improve Your Application

A strong application should clearly describe the current connectivity problem, explain why existing solutions are inadequate and quantify the improvement your technology will deliver.

Avoid relying on broad claims such as “our solution is more secure” or “our product is energy-efficient.” Use measurable targets such as reduced energy consumption, shorter network recovery time, lower latency, improved spectral efficiency or reduced operating costs.

You should also present a realistic commercialisation pathway, target customers, anticipated revenue stream, project work packages, risks, intellectual-property position and evidence that the business can complete the work within six months.

Innovate UK estimates that applicants in similar competitions may have around a 15% chance of success, making a precise, evidence-based proposal especially important.

Application Deadline and Official Link

Applications close at 11:00am UK time on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. Applicants are expected to be notified by 2 September 2026, with projects beginning from 1 November 2026.

Start an Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators application

Businesses should begin early enough to confirm eligibility, calculate eligible costs and complete every section of the Innovation Funding Service application before the deadline.