Deadline: 16-Sep-2026
Innovate UK, working with the Department for Transport under the UK SHORE programme, is offering major funding for innovative vessel energy efficiency technologies and related infrastructure to help decarbonise the UK maritime sector. Projects can have eligible costs of £6 million to £60 million, request up to £30 million in grant funding, and must include a 3-year funded delivery phase followed by a 3-year real-world demonstration phase.
What Is the UK Energy Efficiency Maritime Funding Opportunity?
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is partnering with the Department for Transport (DfT) to support clean maritime innovation through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme.
This funding opportunity is part of a wider up to £150 million clean maritime investment aimed at accelerating shipping decarbonisation, reducing emissions, and helping the UK become a global leader in maritime clean technology.
This specific strand focuses on Energy Efficiency.
What Does the Energy Efficiency Strand Support?
The Energy Efficiency strand funds projects that develop and build:
- Innovative vessel energy efficiency technologies
- Associated infrastructure upgrades needed to support those technologies
It sits within a broader clean maritime framework that also includes:
- Alternative fuel vessels
- Alternative fuel bunkering and storage infrastructure
- 100% battery electric vessels
- Vessel charging infrastructure
- Shore power
- Port energy infrastructure
Why This Funding Matters
This competition supports the UK government’s Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy by helping maritime technologies move beyond concept stage into real-world deployment and operation.
Why it is important
- Supports large-scale clean maritime projects
- Helps reduce shipping emissions
- Funds real-world testing and operational proof
- Encourages commercial deployment in the UK
- Strengthens the UK’s role in maritime decarbonisation and green shipping innovation
Funding Available
Key Financial Details
- Total programme investment: Up to £150 million (across clean maritime strands)
- Project eligible costs: £6 million to £60 million
- Maximum grant per project: £30 million
- Maximum grant per single participant: £20 million
Important funding note
Projects must be large-scale collaborative projects, and funding is intended for technologies that can be developed, deployed, and demonstrated at operational scale.
Project Timeline and Duration
Projects under this strand follow a two-phase structure:
1. Funded Project Phase (3 years)
- Projects must start by 1 April 2027
- Funded activities must be completed by 31 December 2029
2. Mandatory Demonstration Phase (3 years, unfunded)
- Demonstration period runs from 1 January 2030 to 31 December 2032
- This phase is required
- No grant funding is provided for this stage
Why the demonstration phase matters
The programme is designed to ensure that supported clean maritime technologies are:
- Not only developed
- But also proven in real operational conditions
This is a major feature of the competition and an important factor for applicants to plan for early.
Who Is Eligible?
Lead Applicant Requirements
To lead a project, the applicant must be:
- A UK-registered business
The lead must also either:
- Be a UK-registered ship owner, manufacturer, or operator, or
- Work in partnership with a UK-registered ship owner, manufacturer, or operator
Collaboration Requirements
This is a collaborative funding opportunity.
If your project includes infrastructure development
You must also collaborate with a:
- UK-based infrastructure owner or operator
Examples include:
- Ports
- Harbour authorities
- Other relevant maritime infrastructure operators
Additional Eligibility Condition
All funded participants must show:
- A clear intention to exploit project outcomes within or from the UK
This means applicants should demonstrate how the technology, commercial use, or wider impact will benefit the UK maritime ecosystem.
What Types of Projects Are Suitable?
Strong projects under this strand are likely to focus on:
- Vessel energy-saving technologies
- Efficiency retrofits for ships
- Propulsion efficiency improvements
- Hull or onboard systems efficiency innovations
- Digital or operational efficiency systems
- Supporting infrastructure upgrades linked to vessel efficiency
- Large-scale deployment of technologies in operational maritime environments
How the Funding Works
Projects must:
- Develop innovative energy efficiency solutions
- Deploy them in real-world maritime settings
- Operate them during the funded phase
- Demonstrate performance during the 3-year unfunded period
This structure is intended to support technology validation, commercial readiness, and sector adoption.
How to Apply
Step-by-Step
1. Confirm Strategic Fit
Make sure your project clearly supports:
- Maritime decarbonisation
- Vessel energy efficiency
- Real-world clean shipping deployment
- UK commercial or industrial benefit
2. Build the Right Consortium
You will need:
- A UK-registered business as lead
- A UK ship owner, manufacturer, or operator in the consortium (if not the lead)
- A UK infrastructure owner/operator if infrastructure works are included
3. Check Budget Eligibility
Ensure your project:
- Has total eligible costs between £6 million and £60 million
- Requests no more than £30 million
- Keeps any one participant below £20 million in grant funding
4. Plan for Both Phases
Applicants must plan for:
- Funded delivery (to 31 Dec 2029)
- Unfunded demonstration (2030–2032)
This is critical. Do not build a proposal that only works during the grant period.
5. Show UK Exploitation Potential
Explain clearly:
- How results will be commercialised or used
- Why the project benefits the UK
- How deployment supports the UK maritime industry
6. Submit Through the Official Innovate UK Competition Portal
Applicants should monitor the official Innovate UK / UKRI competition page for:
- Opening and closing dates
- Scope guidance
- eligible cost rules
- application templates
- assessment criteria
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the mandatory 3-year unfunded demonstration phase
- Building a project that is too small for the programme scale
- Missing required maritime or infrastructure partners
- Requesting funding above the £30 million cap
- Allowing one partner to exceed the £20 million participant limit
- Failing to explain UK exploitation plans
- Proposing technology without a clear real-world operational pathway
FAQ
1. What is the maximum grant available per project?
Projects can request up to £30 million in grant funding.
2. What are the eligible project cost limits?
Projects must have total eligible costs between £6 million and £60 million.
3. Who can lead a project?
A UK-registered business must lead the consortium.
4. Is collaboration mandatory?
Yes. This is a collaborative competition, and the lead must either be or partner with a UK-registered ship owner, manufacturer, or operator.
5. What if the project includes port or infrastructure upgrades?
If infrastructure development is involved, the consortium must also include a UK-based infrastructure owner or operator, such as a port or harbour authority.
6. How long is the funded period?
The funded period lasts 3 years, ending on 31 December 2029, with projects starting by 1 April 2027.
7. Is the demonstration phase funded?
No. The 3-year demonstration phase (1 January 2030 to 31 December 2032) is mandatory but not funded.
Final Takeaway
This Innovate UK Energy Efficiency maritime funding competition is a major opportunity for UK organisations developing large-scale clean shipping and vessel efficiency technologies. With project sizes of up to £60 million and grants up to £30 million, it is designed for serious deployment-ready innovation that can help accelerate maritime decarbonisation.
The most important point for applicants is this: proposals must be built not only for development, but for real-world operation and long-term demonstration. Strong consortia, realistic budgets, and a clear UK commercialisation pathway will be essential.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.