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Open Call: Robotics Adoption Hubs Funding Opportunity (UK)

Deadline: 15-Apr-2026

Innovate UK is offering up to £38 million to establish Robotics Adoption Hubs across the UK. These hubs will accelerate the uptake of robotics and autonomous systems, improving productivity, safety, and economic growth while connecting end users with vendors, integrators, and finance providers.

About the Robotics Adoption Hubs Programme

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aims to bridge the knowledge gap in robotics adoption by funding regional hubs. The programme focuses on practical, adoption-led activities rather than fundamental research, demonstrating robotics benefits to businesses, public sector organisations, and local communities. The initiative is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by Innovate UK as part of UKRI.

Programme Objectives

  • Accelerate adoption of robotics and autonomous systems in UK regions.

  • Increase productivity, safety, and economic growth through robotics integration.

  • Provide impartial advice to end users on robotics benefits, costs, and integration.

  • Showcase robotics technologies in hubs and representative environments.

  • Connect end users with vendors, integrators, and finance providers.

  • Build self-sustaining regional hubs beyond the programme duration.

  • Share lessons learned nationally and contribute to central adoption resources.

Funding Details

  • Total Funding Available: £38 million (subject to quality applications).

  • Project Funding Range: £2 million–£7.5 million per project.

  • Project Duration: 40–43 months, starting by 1 September 2026 and ending by 31 March 2030. Projects must start on the first day of a month.

  • Geographical Scope: All project work must be carried out in the UK, with results exploited in or from the UK.

  • Eligibility for Funding: Only eligible project costs can be included. Subsidy Control and State Aid requirements must be followed.

Who Can Apply

Lead Organisation Requirements:

  • UK-registered business of any size, research and technology organisation (RTO), public sector body, or academic institution.

  • Academic institutions or RTOs must collaborate with at least one UK business.

  • Single organisations working alone must be a UK-registered business or public sector organisation.

Collaborating Partners Can Include:

  • UK-registered businesses

  • Academic institutions

  • Charities and not-for-profit organisations

  • Public sector bodies

  • Research and technology organisations

Hub Activities and Scope

  • Provide advice and technical guidance to end users.

  • Identify robotics adoption opportunities and connect users with vendors and finance providers.

  • Demonstrate robotics technologies using existing facilities and limited purchased equipment.

  • Focus on industrial robots, automated machinery with sensors, actuators, and control software, drones on land, sea, and air, and autonomous plant and service robots. Software-only systems are excluded.

  • Build sustainable, self-sufficient hubs to continue adoption efforts post-programme.

  • Collaborate regionally and contribute to national robotics adoption resources.

Key Requirements for Applications

Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Existing connections with end users and evidence of the potential market.

  • Expertise, experience, and credibility of consortia members.

  • Clear plans for sustainability of the hub after programme completion.

  • Connectivity with businesses, universities, and local authorities across the region.

  • Tangible, achievable adoption results.

  • Details of available and newly acquired facilities and equipment.

Application Process

  • Confirm eligibility and scope to ensure the correct competition stream. Applications submitted out of scope cannot be transferred.

  • Prepare a detailed proposal outlining objectives, activities, partnerships, expected results, budget justification, and technical resources.

  • Submit the application through Innovate UK’s online portal before the competition deadline.

  • Do not begin project work until the Grant Offer Letter is approved.

Why This Programme Matters

The Robotics Adoption Hubs programme strengthens regional capabilities in robotics, improves productivity and safety, and accelerates economic growth. By connecting end users with vendors and providing demonstration hubs, it creates one-stop shops for robotics adoption across the UK, fostering innovation and collaboration.

FAQs

  1. Who can lead a project? UK-registered businesses, RTOs, public sector organisations, or academic institutions (with business collaboration if academic).

  2. How much funding is available per project? £2 million–£7.5 million.

  3. What technologies are eligible? Industrial robots, automated machinery, autonomous drones, and service robots; software-only systems are excluded.

  4. How long do projects last? 40–43 months, starting on the first day of a month between September 2026 and March 2030.

  5. Can organisations outside the UK participate? No, all project work must be carried out in the UK.

  6. Are new facilities required? No, hubs should primarily use existing facilities and equipment, with limited purchases allowed for demonstrations.

  7. Can projects begin before approval? No, work must not start until a Grant Offer Letter is issued.

Conclusion

Innovate UK’s Robotics Adoption Hubs provide a unique opportunity to accelerate the adoption of robotics and autonomous systems in the UK. By establishing regional hubs, organisations can improve productivity, safety, and economic growth while fostering collaboration, expertise, and sustainable adoption of robotics technologies across industries.

For more information, visit GOV.UK.