Battery Innovation Programme: the essentials

Battery technology is a key area for economic growth and the government’s Battery Innovation Programme marks a flagship investment in the advancement of that ecosystem. Designed to support the UK’s battery value chain across energy storage systems, automotive, aerospace, defence, maritime, rail and beyond, the programme offers a wealth of opportunity for innovative businesses of all sizes. 

Funding competitions will be announced as part of that programme, so if you’re a business that may be eligible, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest opportunities. Here, we highlight two battery innovation funds that are currently open for applications.  

What is the Battery Innovation Programme?

The Battery Innovation Programme is a £452 million investment programme from the Department for Business and Trade. It forms part of the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan (part of the Modern Industrial Strategy) and focuses on scaling breakthrough battery research into industrial solutions. 

It supersedes the Faraday Battery Challenge, which has created a £3.2bn batteries ecosystem and positioned the UK fourth globally for EV battery venture capital investment. The programme will run until March 2030.  

What does the Battery Innovation Programme aim to achieve?

The programme will deliver a globally competitive, high tech, high-value battery supply chain in the UK supporting the net zero transition. In addition to automotive, it will target cross-sector industries, including aerospace, defence, maritime, and battery storage.  

It aims to unlock wider industrial impact through: 

• accelerating research and innovation; 

• strengthening supply chains; 

• advancing low carbon manufacturing; 

• enabling a circular economy; 

• developing skills and ecosystems; and  

informing policy and investment. 

Current battery innovation funding opportunities

Two new funding opportunities are currently open as part of the Battery Innovation Programme. The first is aimed at collaborative, early-stage feasibility studies in battery technologies and the other at advanced concept development in battery technologies. Both are run by Innovate UK. 

Battery Innovation Feasibility Studies (Round 1)

• Scope: Early-stage feasibility studies 

• Eligibility: Collaborative projects with at least one UK-registered SME 

• Key Dates: Closes 17 December 2025 

• Funding: £70,000 to £500,000 per project | Up to 70% of eligible costs 

• Total Fund: £20 million 

Battery Innovation Concept Development (Round 1)

• Scope: Advanced concept development in battery technologies 
• Eligibility: Collaborative projects with at least one UK-registered SME 

• Key Dates: Closes 17 December 2025 

• Funding: £500,000 to £4 million per project | Up to 70% of eligible costs 

Total Fund: £20 million 

Both competitions aim to: 

• accelerate the development and commercialisation of state-of-the-art battery technologies in the UK; 

• support the growth of the UK battery supply chain and related companies; 

• enhance the UK’s competitiveness in the global battery market; and 

• demonstrate how battery technologies can meet specific application requirements and drive electrification across diverse sectors. 

How ForrestBrown can support you

ForrestBrown’s experienced grant advisory team combines technical and financial expertise with a strong track record of securing funding.  

Our team can support you across all aspects of the process from assessing eligibility and project management to undertaking the financial modelling and application submission. 

Whatever stage of the process you’re at, or whether you simply need additional support for your in-house grant writing team, we can help you.