Deadline: 14-May-2026
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is offering funding under the DSIT-funded Advanced Connectivity Technologies programme to support development and commercialisation of secure, sustainable, and sovereign next-generation connectivity technologies. The programme provides £200,000 to £5 million per project and aims to strengthen UK telecom innovation, resilience, and digital sovereignty. Projects must run for 3–24 months and start by 1 September 2026.
Innovate UK Advanced Connectivity Technologies Funding Competition
This funding opportunity is delivered by Innovate UK under UK Research and Innovation and is supported by the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It focuses on accelerating innovation in advanced connectivity systems with an emphasis on national security, sustainability, and technological sovereignty. The programme aims to strengthen the UK’s telecom ecosystem and improve long-term competitiveness.
Key Objectives of the Programme
Secure and Resilient Networks
The programme supports development of communication systems that are resistant to cyber threats, highly reliable, and capable of supporting critical national infrastructure. It prioritises fault tolerance and cybersecurity in next-generation networks.
Sustainable Networks
Projects are expected to reduce energy consumption in telecom systems, improve environmental performance, and support greener digital infrastructure. Sustainability is a core evaluation factor.
Sovereign Telecoms Components and Applications
The programme encourages development of UK-owned telecom technologies to reduce dependency on foreign supply chains. It focuses on strengthening digital sovereignty and domestic capability in advanced communications systems.
Funding Overview
Funding per project ranges from £200,000 to £5 million, with total programme funding capped at £25 million depending on application quality and availability. Projects must last between 3 and 24 months and must begin no later than 1 September 2026, with completion required by 31 August 2028. All project activity must take place in the UK, and outcomes must be exploitable within the UK innovation ecosystem. Funding is competitive and subject to strategic alignment, eligibility compliance, and budget constraints.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include UK-registered businesses of all sizes, academic institutions, research and technology organisations, charities, not-for-profit organisations, and public sector bodies. Both SME-led and collaborative projects are accepted, although eligibility conditions vary depending on project structure. Collaboration with academic and industry partners is strongly encouraged to enhance innovation and impact.
Supporting Infrastructure and Ecosystem
Applicants are encouraged to use UK innovation infrastructure such as Catapult Network facilities, EPSRC-funded Federated Connectivity Hubs, and the JOINER testbed. These resources support testing, validation, and scaling of advanced connectivity technologies and help improve project credibility and technical readiness.
Why This Funding Matters
This programme is strategically important because it strengthens UK national security by improving telecom resilience, reduces reliance on external technology supply chains, and supports sovereign capability in communications systems. It also promotes sustainable digital infrastructure, accelerates commercialisation of deep-tech innovations, and enhances the UK’s global competitiveness in telecommunications.
How to Apply
Applicants should first confirm that their project aligns with programme themes such as secure networks, sustainable connectivity, or sovereign telecom technologies. A consortium may be formed if required, including academic and industry partners with clearly defined roles. A strong proposal should outline technical innovation, commercial potential, UK impact, sustainability outcomes, and security benefits.
Applicants should also demonstrate how they will use UK infrastructure such as Catapult centres, EPSRC hubs, or national testbeds. Once the application is complete, it must be submitted through Innovate UK’s official process before the deadline. Projects are evaluated competitively based on quality, strategic fit, and impact, but funding is not guaranteed even for high-scoring applications.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common mistakes include weak alignment with programme themes, lack of a clear commercialisation plan, poorly defined consortium roles, insufficient focus on security or sovereignty, and failure to demonstrate sustainability benefits. Applicants also often overlook integration with national research infrastructure or fail to provide realistic implementation and scaling strategies.
Tips for a Strong Application
Strong applications clearly align with UK strategic priorities and demonstrate measurable outcomes in security, sustainability, and innovation. They include well-structured consortia, clear exploitation pathways, and scalable solutions beyond the project period. Use of UK testing infrastructure and strong evidence of commercial potential significantly improves success chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
The funding range is between £200,000 and £5 million per project, depending on scope and quality. The programme is funded by DSIT and delivered by Innovate UK under UK Research and Innovation. Projects can last between 3 and 24 months and must be carried out entirely in the UK. Collaboration is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged, especially with academic partners.
The programme prioritises secure, resilient, sustainable, and sovereign telecom technologies. Not all high-scoring applications are funded due to limited budgets and strategic allocation criteria. Final decisions are based on quality, eligibility, and alignment with national priorities.
Conclusion
The Innovate UK Advanced Connectivity Technologies programme is a major UK funding initiative aimed at advancing secure, sustainable, and sovereign telecom innovation. It supports high-impact research and commercialisation efforts that strengthen national infrastructure and digital independence. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong technical innovation, clear commercial pathways, and alignment with UK strategic priorities.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.
