Innovate UK announces new grant funding for manufacturing and cancer diagnostics

Innovate UK has launched two distinct funding initiatives aimed at supporting technological development within the United Kingdom.

A £1 million pilot program is now open to UK-registered micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specializing in measurement, sensing, and instrumentation technology. This program, part of the UKRI Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chains initiative, offers fixed awards of £80,420 per business. The goal is to enhance productivity and supply chain visibility in advanced manufacturing. Successful applicants will also receive nine months of support, including investor engagement and international market assistance.

Separately, a funding opportunity of up to £25.4 million is available for collaborative projects focused on early cancer detection and diagnosis. Managed on behalf of the Office for Life Sciences’ Cancer Healthcare Goals programme, these grants range from £1.5 million to £4 million per project. The initiative encourages collaborations between the NHS, academia, and industry, with a specific emphasis on less common cancers. The program aims to support clinical validation, safety testing, and regulatory planning to facilitate future NHS adoption.