Closing date: 25 Mar 2026. See HERE for details.
The aim of this competition is to accelerate the innovations needed to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and Latin America. This is to create a just and inclusive energy transition and extend the benefits of clean energy for all to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13.
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will invest up to £7 million in projects which create new or improved energy access in ODA eligible countries. This funding is part of the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) and provided by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Your project must:
- have total costs of between £50k and £300k
- last between 3 and 12 months
- start from 1 August 2026
- end by 31 March 2030
- include a UK registered administrative lead, or partner with a UK administrative lead if you are an international organisation
- involve at least one micro, small or medium sized enterprise (SME), from anywhere in the world
This competition is one of 3 strands:
- Energy Catalyst Round 11: early stage (this strand)
- Energy Catalyst Round 11: mid stage
- Energy Catalyst Round 11: late stage