Retainer service
Unlimited Grants Programme
How the programme works
GrantUp scopes eligible opportunities, drafts and reviews your applications across the competitions marked as included in our grant directory (the Supported Portfolio). You approve all content and remain responsible for submission and funder deadlines.
- I
Identify
We scope eligible opportunities from the Supported Portfolio against your roadmap and readiness.
- P
Prepare
We draft and review your applications, building assessor-ready narratives, budgets and project plans.
- S
Strengthen
Internal review rounds, feedback loops and submission support lift your score before the deadline.
One monthly fee, a rolling portfolio of bids
Unlimited is a paid six month retainer. Applications we progress within the Supported Portfolio carry no separate per bid writing fee, so the cost of going after several competitions is predictable rather than cumulative. A success fee applies on award. It suits UK businesses with an active R&D roadmap and the match funding in place for the share of project costs grants do not cover.
Supported Portfolio
These competitions are currently included in the Unlimited Grants Programme. Click any card to see full details and the official programme page. We also support other UK and European grants on request, so if the competition you have in mind is not listed here, ask us and we will look at it with you.
Browse every grant in our directory
- Closes in 142 days
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European Innovation Council
[EIC] Stage 1: EIC Accelerator Challenge
Included in Unlimited Plan*- Single SMEs or startups based in EU Member States or Associated Countries (including the UK) under Horizon Europe. -UK companies can only apply for the grant - Other eligible countries eligible for blended finance - Companies must own the intellectual property of the innovation they are developing. - The innovation should be market-ready or close to commercialisation and require significant funding to scale. (TRL6+) - Applicants must be willing to co-finance the remaining 30% of project costs if receiving a grant.
Max award€2.5 millionDeadline11 Mar 2027Life sciences & healthFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - Closes in 142 days
European Innovation Council
[EIC] Stage 1: EIC Accelerator Open
Included in Unlimited Plan*- Single SMEs or startups based in EU Member States or Associated Countries (including the UK) under Horizon Europe. - UK companies can only apply for the grant not equity funding - Non-UK companies that are eligible will be able to apply for the grant and equity funding - Companies must own the intellectual property of the innovation they are developing. - The innovation should be market-ready or close to commercialisation and require significant funding to scale. (TRL6+) - Applicants must be willing to co-finance the remaining 30% of project costs if receiving a grant.
Max award€2.5 millionDeadline11 Mar 2027Any sectorFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - Closes in 142 days
European Innovation Council
[EIC] Stage 2: EIC Accelerator Challenge
Included in Unlimited Plan*Objectives: The EIC Accelerator aims to support high-risk, high-impact innovations to create new markets or disrupt existing industries in Europe and globally. The program helps scale breakthrough technologies and deep tech innovations, particularly in areas where private investors may be reluctant to invest due to high risk. The EIC Accelerator is best suited for innovative companies with disruptive technologies that need funding to expand and enter global markets. Specific challenges: 1. Advanced Materials for Renewable Energy and Energy Storage System: - Supported start-ups and SMEs must d…
Max award€2.5 millionDeadline11 Mar 2027Life sciences & healthFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - Closes in 142 days
European Innovation Council
[EIC] Stage 2: EIC Accelerator Open
Included in Unlimited Plan*- Single SMEs or startups based in EU Member States or Associated Countries (including the UK) under Horizon Europe. - UK companies can only apply for the grant not equity funding - Non-UK companies that are eligible will be able to apply for the grant and equity funding - Companies must own the intellectual property of the innovation they are developing. - The innovation should be market-ready or close to commercialisation and require significant funding to scale. (TRL6+) - Applicants must be willing to co-finance the remaining 30% of project costs if receiving a grant.
Max award€2.5 millionDeadline11 Mar 2027Any sectorFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - Closes in 224 days
European Innovation Council
[EIC] Women TechEU
Included in Unlimited Plan** Be an SME registered for between 6 months and 5 years * Be based in an EU Member State, Horizon Europe Associated Country, or eligible widening country or region (including the UK) * Have raised less than €1 million in equity funding * Be developing a genuine deep tech innovation * Be operating between TRL 4-6 * Have at least one woman founder or co-founder in a senior leadership role (CEO, CTO, CSO, or equivalent) * Have women owning at least 25% of the company
Max award€75,000Deadline1 Jun 2027Any sectorIndustrial R&DUK-wideView grant details - CifOpen (rolling)
Creative industries funders
[Arts Council] Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants
Included in Unlimited Plan*Objectives: The National Lottery Project Grants, administered by Arts Council England, aim to support a broad range of creative projects that engage the public in arts, museums, and libraries activities. The program seeks to foster cultural experiences across England, ensuring that creativity is valued and accessible to all. What They Look For: The fund welcomes applications from individual artists, community groups, and cultural organizations proposing projects that involve the public in creative endeavors. Projects should align with Arts Council England's strategic vision, "Let's Create," w…
Max award£100,000DeadlineRollingAny sectorFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - Open (rolling)
European Space Agency
[ESA] Stage 1 APQ: OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSALS: PROOF-OF-CONCEPT STUDIES AND PILOT PROJECTS
Included in Unlimited Plan** Project lead includes businesses of all sizes, universities, research institutes, and public organisations (with different funding conditions depending on status).
Max awardProof of concept - up to €600k Pilot studies - Not stated, project dependentDeadlineRollingSpace & satelliteLate stage & scale-upUK-wideView grant details - Open (rolling)
European Space Agency
[ESA] Stage 1 APQ: THE ARCTIC REGION: SAFETY, NAVIGATION AND OPERATIONS
Included in Unlimited Plan*Open to companies (start-ups, SMEs and large companies), consortia involving industrial and non-industrial partners, and cross-sectoral teams combining space and non-space actors. Zero-equity co-funding of 50-80% depending on SME status and ESA Member State approval; applicants are encouraged to engage with their National Delegation before submitting.
Max awardProof of concept - up to €600k Pilot studies - Not stated, project dependentDeadlineRollingManufacturing & materialsIndustrial R&DUK-wideView grant details - Open (rolling)
European Space Agency
[ESA] Stage 1 APQ: THE ARCTIC REGION: SECURITY AND CRITICAL PROTECTION
Included in Unlimited Plan*Expected to open. Aim: This call is composed of three complementary and thematically focused sub‑calls, but all are supporting the development of space‑enabled services that enhance resilience, safety, sustainability, and security in the Arctic region. Sub‑call 1 – Environmental and Economic Resilience - opening 4 June 2026 This sub‑call focuses on protecting Arctic ecosystems and supporting climate‑resilient economic activities, with particular attention to fisheries, aquaculture, environmental monitoring, pollution detection, and food security. It addresses the growing impact of climate cha…
Max awardProof of concept - up to €600k Pilot studies - Not stated, project dependentDeadlineRollingClean energy & net zeroIndustrial R&DUK-wideView grant details - OfOpen (rolling)
Other funders
[IUK] Battery Innovation: Feasibility Studies Rd 3
Included in Unlimited Plan*Innovate UK’s Battery Innovation: Feasibility Studies Round 3 competition provides grants of between £70,000 and £500,000 for collaborative projects exploring and commercialising innovative battery technologies. Projects can address material extraction and processing, cell production, module and pack integration, diagnostics, battery-management systems, recycling and circularity. They must demonstrate market demand, improve battery cost, performance, safety, reliability or sustainability, and strengthen the UK battery supply chain.
Max award£500,000DeadlineRollingLife sciences & healthFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - OfOpen (rolling)
Other funders
[IUK] Deep Tech Co-Creation Accelerator 2026–2027
Included in Unlimited Plan*Expected to open. The programme funds 100% of eligible actual costs, with 60% paid as pre-financing and the remaining 40% after approval of the final report and completion of the agreed deliverables and KPIs. However, it is not fully non-dilutive funding, because the start-up must transfer between 3.5% and 7% equity to 28DIGITAL. What the programme supports The accelerator is designed for start-ups that want to work directly with an established company, SME, cluster or public organisation to solve a defined industry problem. Over four months, the venture should validate its technology in a re…
Max awardUp to €250,000 per ventureDeadlineRollingClean energy & net zeroIndustrial R&DUK-wideView grant details - Open (rolling)
Innovate UK
[IUK] Investor-led Stage 2 Finance interview: Innovation Loans Investor-led
Included in Unlimited Plan** We will fund experimental development projects only * TRL5+ * Project can include: prototyping, demonstrating, piloting, testing, validation * £100k - £5M * SME
Max award£5,000,000DeadlineRollingAny sectorLate stage & scale-upUK-wideView grant details - OfOpen (rolling)
Other funders
[Ofwat] Water Innovation Implementation Programme (Ofwat)
Included in Unlimited Plan*Requires an Early Adopter plus at least two Fast Follower water companies before funding is awarded.
Max award£1,000,000DeadlineRollingClean energy & net zeroIndustrial R&DWalesView grant details - UKOpen (rolling)
UK government
[Other] Epic MegaGrants
Included in Unlimited Plan*Epic MegaGrants is a funding programme from Epic Games for projects using Unreal Engine, UE5, UEFN/Fortnite Creative, or real-time 3D technology. It is designed to support smaller teams, solo developers, studios and innovators building ambitious creative or technical projects that may need extra funding to reach the next milestone.
Max award$5,000 to $75,000, with some extraordinary projects receiving up to $150,000!DeadlineRollingAny sectorFeasibilityInternationalView grant details - CifOpen (rolling)
Creative industries funders
[UK Games Fund] Stage 1 EOI: PROTOTYPE FUND
Included in Unlimited Plan*Open to established UK-based video game development companies registered with Companies House for at least 10 weeks, with existing PAYE registration and at least one employee but fewer than 50 employees. Applicants must have a video game development project at an early stage, with a track record of professional game development. All employees and contractors claimed for must be UK-based and working in the UK.
Max award£100,000DeadlineRollingAny sectorFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - CifOpen (rolling)
Creative industries funders
[UK Games Fund] Stage 1 EOI: THE CONTENT FUND
Included in Unlimited Plan*UK-registered SME games studios with PAYE employees engaged in games development work in the UK, with explicitly set out ownership and UK-based founder-director(s) as significant shareholders, are eligible to apply. Companies should not be recently established start-ups formed solely to secure the grant, and should not be facing acute working capital challenges. No partners are required, but the project must have overall costs at least double the requested grant amount (leverage).
Max award£250,000DeadlineRollingAny sectorFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - CifOpen (rolling)
Creative industries funders
[UK Games Fund] Stage 2 Full application: PROTOTYPE FUND
Included in Unlimited Plan*Applications are only accepted from existing UK-based companies registered with Companies House for at least 10 weeks prior to application, with existing PAYE registration in place. Applicant companies must have one or more employees but fewer than 50 employees, and should be established SMEs with a track record of game development (typically 3–10+ individuals including contractors) seeking to grow, rather than solo developers with no growth plans.
Max award£100,000DeadlineRollingAny sectorIndustrial R&DUK-wideView grant details - CifOpen (rolling)
Creative industries funders
[UK Games Fund] Stage 2 Full application: THE CONTENT FUND
Included in Unlimited Plan*Open to UK-registered SME games companies with PAYE employees engaged in games development work in the UK, with explicit ownership and UK-based founder-director(s) as significant shareholders; recently established start-ups are generally not preferred unless justified by founder track record.
Max award£250,000DeadlineRollingAny sectorIndustrial R&DUK-wideView grant details - Open (rolling)
UK Defence Innovation
[UKDI] Cycle 8 of Innovation Support to Operations
Included in Unlimited Plan*Expected to open. A fast-paced Ministry of Defence competition supporting technologies that can be demonstrated rapidly, manufactured at scale and deployed into operational defence environments. Solutions must reach at least TRL 6 within a maximum four-month project and be capable of scaling towards operational deployment within approximately 12 months after completion.
Max award£350,000DeadlineRollingClean energy & net zeroLate stage & scale-upUK-wideView grant details - UKOpen (rolling)
UK government
28DIGITAL Co-Creation Accelerator 2026–2027
Included in Unlimited Plan*Expected to open. Applicants must generally be: A micro or small digital enterprise with fewer than 50 employees. Incorporated between 1 January 2021 and the submission date. Established and operating in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country—meaning UK startups can apply. Developing a solution at a minimum of TRL 4–5, with a working prototype or proof of concept validated in an experimental environment. Employing at least two FTEs. In outright ownership of a substantial majority of the relevant product IP. An independent venture—not a subsidiary or controlled by another trad…
Max award€250,000 per startup.DeadlineRollingAI & softwareFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - Open (rolling)
Innovate UK
Farming Innovation Programme: ADOPT Full Grant Round 10
Included in Unlimited Plan*This call is for English farming, growing or forestry businesses (any size, including sole traders and partnerships) wanting to run a collaborative on-farm trial of a new technology, product or practice. <cite index="5-9">Applicants can apply for a share of up to £5 million for on-farm trial and demonstration projects, to improve adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector.</cite> <cite index="25-5,25-6">This competition is open to collaborations only — to lead a collaborative project the organisation must be an active farming, growing or forestry business based in England,…
Max award£200,000DeadlineRollingClean energy & net zeroLate stage & scale-upUK-wideView grant details - OfOpen (rolling)
Other funders
Healthcare Implementation Fund
Included in Unlimited Plan*The British Heart Foundation Healthcare Implementation Fund provides up to £500,000 for projects delivering measurable improvements in services for people with cardiovascular disease. It supports early-stage testing of novel service improvements and early-stage scaling of solutions that have already demonstrated feasibility. Projects must be delivered in real-world NHS settings, have completed an initial scoping phase and include systematic evaluation and patient involvement.
Max award£500,000DeadlineRollingAI & softwareFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - OfOpen (rolling)
Other funders
MATcelerate HEALTH Grants (Round 3)
Included in Unlimited Plan*Delivered through university Technology Transfer Offices in partnership with global MedTech companies and NHS Trusts; applications are led by researchers/universities (via TTOs) rather than businesses directly, though industry collaboration is central.
Max award£85,000DeadlineRollingLife sciences & healthFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - NIHROpen (rolling)
NIHR
NIHR Stage 2: i4i Product Development Awards (PDA)
Included in Unlimited Plan*Expected to open. The NIHR Invention for Innovation Product Development Awards support collaborative projects developing innovative medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics and high-impact, patient-focused digital health technologies. Projects must address an unmet health or social care need, have demonstrated proof of concept and show a credible route to NHS or social-care adoption and commercialisation. Funding can support product development, clinical and technical validation, evidence generation, regulatory work, health economics and commercialisation activity. Projects normally last 24–36 m…
Max award£1,500,000DeadlineRollingAI & softwareFeasibilityUK-wideView grant details - OfOpen (rolling)
Other funders
SMART Innovation Funding
Included in Unlimited Plan*What is Innovation? To us, innovation means creating and applying new or improved technologies, systems or processes that improve your organisation or opens new markets. This could include using knowledge and expertise to develop solutions to problems, improve efficiency or deliver value. SMART Innovation Funding SMART Innovation Funding is a discretionary grant programme across Wales delivering flexible RD&I support to help your organisation to become more competitive, increase sales and enter new markets. If your organisation is looking to research and develop a new product, process or serv…
Max awardFunding is assessed on a project-by-project basis.DeadlineRollingLife sciences & healthIndustrial R&DWalesView grant details - OfOpen (rolling)
Other funders
Sovereign AI R&D Procurement Scheme
Included in Unlimited Plan*The Sovereign AI R&D Procurement Scheme provides contracts worth £250,000 to £10 million for UK-registered startups and SMEs developing novel AI capabilities against government challenges. Current challenges cover NHS productivity, defence AI integration, compute efficiency and safe AI-agent adoption. Projects must involve pre-commercial R&D undertaken in the UK, generally spanning TRL 4–8. Suppliers retain ownership of the intellectual property developed and are encouraged to commercialise their solutions.
Max award£10,000,000DeadlineRollingAI & softwareLate stage & scale-upUK-wideView grant details
Looking for a grant that is not on this list?
Unlimited clients can ask us to look at other UK and European competitions on request. Tell us what you have in mind and we will confirm whether it is worth your time.
Want to discuss the Unlimited Grants Programme?
Book a free consultation. We will confirm whether your project fits the Supported Portfolio and how the retainer works for you.