Overview
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is working with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to support small innovation projects through the *Analysis for Innovators* programme.
The aim is to help businesses tackle existing measurement and analysis problems that cannot be solved with standard techniques, by giving them access to NPL’s world-class scientists and facilities.
This is a two-stage competition:
- Stage 1: Define the problem (no funding awarded)
- Stage 2: Develop the solution in partnership with NPL (funding available)
Projects must demonstrate the potential to improve business **productivity and competitiveness** by solving a defined measurement or analysis challenge.
Scope
Your proposal must clearly set out:
- The measurement or analysis problem you face
- Why solving it matters to your business (e.g. productivity, quality, competitiveness)
- Any methods you have already attempted
We will only consider problems that:
- Relate to an existing process, product, or service owned or used by your company
- Concern the **measurement or analysis of quantities or properties** of that process, product, or service
- Cannot be solved using standard or “off-the-shelf” methods
Key themes and topics
This competition is open to any industry sector with a relevant measurement or analysis challenge. Suitable projects may include, but are not limited to:
- Improving product quality or performance
- Validating new processes or services
- Solving bottlenecks in production linked to measurement issues
- Enhancing reliability or repeatability of measurements
Projects focused solely on primary agricultural or aquaculture production will not be funded at Stage 2.
Project duration
- Stage 1: Define your measurement problem (no funding, consultation stage)
- Stage 2: Funded project to develop a solution with NPL
Duration: 3 to 9 monthsStart: Between 1 January 2026 and 30 September 2026
Award value
- Stage 1: No funding awarded
- Stage 2: Eligible project costs must be £15,000–£100,000
Funding rates
Stage 2 funding will be awarded under Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) rules, capped at £315,000 per enterprise across a rolling three-year period.
Funding covers NPL’s contribution in full, with companies required to match-fund their own costs.
Up to £1.5 million has been allocated to support projects at Stage 2.
Eligibility criteria
To apply, your project must:
- Relate to a valid measurement or analysis challenge
- Be linked to work carried out in the UK
- Intend to exploit results from or in the UK
Lead applicants must:
- Be a UK-registered SME (micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise)
- Submit only one application per round
Additional rules:
- Stage 2 projects must last 3–9 months
- Previous applicants may re-apply once if their proposal reached the assessment stage
- Subcontractors are allowed but must represent fair market value; overseas subcontractors require strong justification
- Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI’s guidance on animal welfare standards
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