Innovation vouchers
Innovation vouchers provide your business with fast, focused R&D activity to move an idea forward, particularly where there is a need to test, validate or explore feasibility within short timeframes. They can support you with new product or process development, access to specialist facilities or equipment, and collaboration with experts.
Innovation vouchers are designed around priority themes and shaped with input from industry and external stakeholders to ensure they respond to business need. This support allows you to move quickly from idea to evidence, without committing to a long-term programme. Designed to be accessible and low risk, they can be an effective first step into working with the University on innovation-led activity.
Download the Innovation vouchers application guidance
Support for new products and development
Access to facilities and expertise for testing, validating and prototyping
A practical route into deeper collaboration
Funding built around business needs
Many businesses have opportunities they want to pursue but need time, specialist resource or funding to move them forward. You might:
- have a promising but need evidence before investing further
- want to launch something new but lack the time or internal resource to test it properly
- see demand but need support to move faster, reduce risk or strengthen your route to market.
Innovation Vouchers can help you overcome those challenges by providing funding and support for clearly defined projects. They can help you:
- test ideas before committing significant budget
- develop proof of concept and prototyping
- access specialist expertise, researchers, facilities or technical support
- validate customer demand and commercial potential
- build prototypes or pilot new products and services
- improve processes and productivity or develop a product
- conduct feasibility studies, research consultancies and technical scoping
- establish commercialisation and routes to market
- create momentum for growth, jobs and investment.
There are two voucher types available:
Exploration vouchers - Up to £50,000
Designed for SMEs that want to test feasibility, validate assumptions and build evidence before progressing a larger innovation project. Ideal for early-stage opportunities where informed decisions are needed.
Acceleration vouchers - up to £300,000
Designed for businesses ready to build, pilot, implement or scale innovation activity that can strengthen growth and cluster capability.
Please note that the £50,000 and £300,000 figures refer to total project value, including the applicant's 20% match contribution. For example, a project with a total value of £50,000 would require a business contribution of £10,000, with £40,000 supported through the programme. A project with a total value of £300,000 would require a business contribution of £60,000, with £240,000 supported through the programme.
Applications for 2026 have now closed, please sign up for updates about further innovation voucher opportunities or to enquire about our other innovation solutions
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