Deadline: 15-Apr-2026

Innovate UK is offering £1 million to £2 million in grant funding to establish a central convening body for the UK Robotics Adoption Hubs network.

Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this 43-month project must start by 1 September 2026 and end by 31 March 2030.

The convening body will coordinate national robotics adoption efforts, close knowledge gaps, and support UK businesses in adopting robotics technologies to improve productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability.

Robotics Adoption Hubs – Central Convening Body Competition

This funding opportunity supports the creation of a national coordinating organisation for the UK Robotics Adoption Hubs network.

The central convening body will:

Coordinate physical Robotics Adoption Hubs across the UK
Share knowledge across sectors and regions
Support robotics adoption among UK businesses
Act as a national information and coordination hub

The goal is to accelerate robotics adoption and strengthen the UK robotics ecosystem.

Strategic Purpose of the Competition

The initiative aims to address the knowledge gap slowing robotics adoption in UK industries.

Key national objectives include:

Improving business productivity
Enhancing workplace safety
Increasing competitiveness
Supporting sustainability goals
Improving health outcomes
Strengthening infrastructure
Driving long-term economic growth

The Robotics Adoption Hubs will provide independent advice, practical demonstrations, and connections to suppliers and finance providers.

What Is the Central Convening Body?

The central convening body is a national coordination entity responsible for:

Connecting and aligning all Robotics Adoption Hubs
Acting as a secretariat for hub leader meetings
Developing shared materials and standardised branding
Hosting a programme website for enquiries
Publicising robotics adoption opportunities
Integrating international robotics learnings
Supporting all hubs equally across regions and sectors
Working toward long-term self-sustainability

It must serve as a trusted source of information on the UK robotics ecosystem, including:

Robotics suppliers
System integrators
Training providers and courses
Finance providers

Definition of Robotics (Scope of the Competition)

For this competition, robotics is broadly defined and includes:

Drones operating on land, sea, and air
Autonomous plant and service robots
Industrial robots
Automated machinery using sensors, actuators, and control software

Excluded:

Purely software-based systems without physical robotic components

This definition ensures the focus remains on physical robotic systems and automation technologies.

Funding Details

Eligible projects must meet strict financial and timing criteria.

Funding parameters:

Grant amount: £1 million to £2 million
Project duration: 43 months
Project start date: By 1 September 2026
Project end date: 31 March 2030
Projects must start on the first day of a month
Work must not begin before the Grant Offer Letter is approved

Project work must:

Be carried out in the UK
Be exploited from or in the UK
Include only eligible project costs
Comply with Subsidy Control requirements

Who Is Eligible?

The lead organisation must be UK-registered.

Eligible lead applicants include:

UK-registered businesses of any size
Research and technology organisations (RTOs)
Public sector organisations
Academic institutions

Applicants must demonstrate:

Strong existing connections with robotics stakeholders
Sector expertise and credibility
Capacity to manage national coordination
A viable plan for self-sustainability by project end

Consortia applications are permitted where appropriate.

Required Application Content

Applicants must clearly outline:

How they will convene the national network of hubs
Their approach to acting as secretariat for hub leader meetings
Evidence of stakeholder relationships across robotics sectors
Governance and coordination model
Plans for branding, communication, and website development
Strategy for integrating international robotics insights
Financial and operational pathway to long-term sustainability

Applications must show strategic leadership capability and national impact.

How to Apply – Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organisation:

Is UK-registered
Meets funding size requirements
Can deliver a 43-month project
Complies with Subsidy Control rules

Step 2: Build a Strong Consortium (If Needed)

Consider partnerships with:

Robotics research centres
Industry associations
Technology accelerators
Regional innovation bodies

Ensure expertise covers governance, communication, robotics technology, and ecosystem engagement.

Step 3: Develop a National Coordination Plan

Clearly define:

Hub governance structure
Knowledge-sharing mechanisms
Branding and communications strategy
Secretariat operations
Website and enquiry management system
Sustainability model beyond 2030

Step 4: Prepare Financial Documentation

Request between £1M–£2M
Include only eligible project costs
Demonstrate cost justification and value for money

Step 5: Submit Application via Innovate UK Portal

Submit before the published deadline.

No project activity should begin until the Grant Offer Letter is signed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following errors:

Proposing purely software-based robotics solutions
Failing to demonstrate national stakeholder engagement
Ignoring sustainability beyond grant funding
Starting project activity before formal approval
Overlooking Subsidy Control compliance
Weak governance or unclear coordination structures
Underestimating communication and branding requirements

Strong applications demonstrate national reach, credibility, and operational readiness.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This competition is strategically important because it:

Accelerates robotics adoption in UK industry
Reduces adoption barriers for SMEs
Improves UK competitiveness in automation
Connects regional innovation ecosystems
Strengthens supply chain coordination
Enhances productivity and economic resilience

By centralising coordination, the UK can scale robotics adoption more efficiently and effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding is available?

Applicants must request between £1 million and £2 million.

2. How long can the project run?

Projects must run for 43 months and conclude by 31 March 2030.

3. Who can lead the project?

UK-registered businesses, RTOs, public sector organisations, and academic institutions may act as lead applicants.

4. Are international partners allowed?

Project work must be carried out in the UK, and results must be exploited from or in the UK.

5. What types of robotics are eligible?

Physical robotics systems including drones, industrial robots, and autonomous machinery. Purely software systems are excluded.

6. Can the project start immediately after submission?

No. Projects must not begin until Innovate UK approves the Grant Offer Letter.

7. Is long-term sustainability required?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate how the central convening body will become self-sustaining by the end of the project.

Conclusion

The Robotics Adoption Hubs Central Convening Body competition represents a major national investment in UK robotics coordination and adoption.

Backed by DSIT and delivered through Innovate UK under UKRI, this £1–£2 million funding opportunity will establish a central leadership entity to unify robotics hubs, close knowledge gaps, and strengthen the UK robotics ecosystem.

Organisations with national credibility, strong stakeholder networks, and a clear sustainability plan are well positioned to lead this transformative initiative and drive long-term impact across UK industry.

For more information, visit GOV.UK.