Funding opportunities
EMEC is a not-for-profit innovation catalyst pioneering the transition to a clean energy future.
EMEC plays a fundamental role in supporting industry to develop innovative products and solutions. We support the development of offshore energy (particularly wave, tidal and floating wind) as well as the integration of renewables into the wider energy system (exploring green hydrogen, storage, e-fuels and islands decarbonisation).
Our test sites and expertise help reduce the time, cost and risk of R&D, and support technology developers to reach the market.
Most of the work we’re involved in is experimental and putting early stage, pre-commercial solutions to the test. We work in a fast-paced environment and are always looking for new ideas to support innovation challenges in the clean energy space.
Give our business development team a shout for a chat: commercial@emec.org.uk | +44 (0)1856 852060
Partnership opportunities
We’re seeking innovative and ambitious project partners for these open and upcoming calls.
Innovate UK - Smart Grants We have identified that the Innovate UK Smart Grant funding mechanism is currently paused. IUK have promised a new way of supporting SME innovation, with a pilot scheme launching in Spring 2025. See link for further information and updates For full details, see: Innovate UK is developing new funding and support packages for innovative SMEs – Innovate UK Business Connect |Innovate UK – Smart GrantsInnovate UK – Smart Grants
Call focus
The Crown Estate: Supply Chain Accelerator The Crown Estate is seeking to fund facilities that support the deployment of fixed and floating offshore wind. Eligible projects may include new initiatives or the expansion of existing activities. Applicants must be purse commercial projects, that deliver a reasonable return on investment, of which The Crown Estate expect some stake in the venture. Funding intensity: Match funding – 50% of total project costs. For full details, see: The Crown Estate: Supply Chain Accelerator The Crown Estate: Supply Chain Accelerator
Call focus
Maximum award: £1, 500,000
Battery Innovation Concept Development Round 1 EMEC is seeking innovative technologies (TRL 5-6+) to help reduce curtailment at renewable energy sites and support integration with tidal energy for Innovate UK’s battery innovation calls Maximum award: £4, 000,000 Deadline: 17 December 2025 For full details, see: UKRI: Battery Innovation Concept Development Round 1Battery Innovation Concept Development Round 1
Battery Innovation Feasibility Studies Round 1 EMEC is seeking innovative technologies (TRL 5-6+) to help reduce curtailment at renewable energy sites and support integration with tidal energy for Innovate UK’s battery innovation calls Maximum award: £500,000 Deadline: 17 December 2025 For full details, see: UKRI: Battery Innovation Feasibility Studies Round 1Battery Innovation Feasibility Studies Round 1
Horizon Europe
We’re exploring the latest Horizon Europe funding calls. We are seeking to support developers across a variety of calls for action.
Understand and minimise the environmental impacts of offshore wind energy.
Understand and minimise the environmental impacts of offshore wind energy.
Utilising our technical expertise, EMEC can facilitate supporting environmental assessment campaigns, provide metocean data sets and expertise in running long-term environmental monitoring.
Deadline: 17 February 2026
Funding Available: €5m per project (3 projects funded)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-08
Improved reliability and optimised operations and maintenance for wind energy systems
Improved reliability and optimised operations and maintenance for wind energy systems
Support and demonstration infrastructure provider. Technical resource in engineering and metocean research.
Deadline: 17 February 2026
Funding Available: €5m per project (3 projects funded)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-07
New CO2 capture technologies.
New CO2 capture technologies
The EU is investing €7M in innovative CO₂ capture solutions from either industrial sources or direct air capture (DAC), EMEC can support with demonstration activities
Deadline: 17 February 2026
Funding Available: €7m
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-24
Other opportunities
We’ve identified the following opportunities where we may be able to help, but expect we’d need to be subcontracted into the project, rather than brought in as a project partner.
RISEnergy – free access to EMEC test sites Funded by Horizon Europe R&I programme, this call enables academic and industry researchers’ free access to testing facilities, including EMEC, through grant funding. Total award: £10 million Who can apply: The call is open to researchers from academia and industry from all EU member states or Horizon Europe-associated countries. Applicants not from any of these countries are eligible, but only for 20% of the costs covered. Research areas: The call is looking for innovative solutions to improve energy systems and/or reduce the life cycle cost of energy technologies enabling a wider use of renewable energy. The call covers a broad scope of research areas, including: How to apply: RISEnergy recommends getting in touch with your preferred research infrastructure to discuss timings and duration of your project before submitting a proposal. We’ve found that those who have already reached out to us have benefited from a better understanding of the call and how it can support technology demonstrations. Applications are then submitted through the application portal on the RISEnergy website. We’re keen to hear from potential applicants to support your bid. Please get in touch to discuss your application as soon as possible. For offshore projects contact Lily Wain (T: +44 (0)1865 852216 | E: lily.wain@emec.org.uk); For onshore projects contact George Colcomb (T: +44 (0)1856 852232 | E: george.colcomb@emec.org.uk). If in doubt, contact commercial@emec.org.uk and someone in our team will get in touch. For full details, see: RISEnergy – Transnational Access CallRISEnergy – free access to EMEC test sites
SMART: Scotland Grants SMART: Scotland grants can support feasibility studies, helping to show how innovative solutions can work in the real world. The SMART grant aims to support priority R+D areas such as: EMEC would be delighted to support the delivery of such projects and can offer input to feasibility studies relating to a wide range of energy related innovations. To be eligible, you must be an SME or an individual based, or planning to set up, in Scotland. Total award: £100,000, 70% funded For full details, see: SMART: Scotland grants | Scottish EnterpriseSMART: Scotland Grants
Call focus
Deadline: SMART: SCOTLAND accepts new applications all year round.
Innovate UK Business Growth – Exploit Innovation Innovate UK can offer applicants with a suitable project, currently benefitting from their growth and advisory support, a grant for 100% of eligible costs to introduction, advice and support from Catapult or RTOs to support in nurturing early-stage technologies and innovations. Maximum Award: £15,000 For full details, see: Exploit innovation – Innovate UK Business GrowthInnovate UK Business Growth – Exploit Innovation
Call focus
Deadline: Rolling call
European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Businesses from the UK can apply for the “grant only” part of this Horizon Accelerator. The EIC Accelerator is a funding programme under Horizon Europe designed for start-ups and SMEs who are looking for substantial funding, but the risks involved are too high for private investors alone to invest. The scheme welcomes technologies/innovations at TRL6-8. EMEC would support an application, providing commercialisation support for new technologies and planning to support first-of-a-kind demonstration, either at EMEC’s sites or elsewhere, providing virtual assistance. Funding Intensity: 70% of total cost For full details, see: European Innovation Council (EIC) AcceleratorEuropean Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator
Call focus
Maximum Award: £10,000,000
Deadline: Q1 2026
