Innovate UK Contracts for Innovation (formerly known as the Small Business Research Initiative or SBRI) helps public sector organisations to solve complex challenges by running a competitive funding opportunity, to develop and adopt new solutions and technologies. The funding supports early-stage feasibility studies, prototype development, and late-stage demonstrator projects. Competitions are open to all types and sizes of organisation, including businesses, academic and research organisations, and not-for-profits. There is no minimum or maximum size of contract award. The contract recipients can be from anywhere in the UK, EU or European Economic Area. Contracts for Innovation can be run in multiple phases, with each phase funding at least two suppliers and at least 50% R&D activity. The challenge owner retains free usage rights to foreground IP developed during the funded project. Support is available to public sector organisations for running competitions or promoting the funding opportunity. The mechanism aims to provide a route to market for innovations and support business growth through commercialisation.
Competitions are open to all types and sizes of organisation, including businesses of any size, academic and research organisations and not-for-profits and charities. Potential contract recipients can be from anywhere in the UK, EU or the European Economic Area to align with current public sector procurement regulations.
