Energy Catalyst Round 9

Apply for a share of up to £20m to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or the Indo-Pacific region

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will work with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of the Ayrton Fund to invest up to £20 million in innovation projects through the Energy Catalyst Round 9.

The aim of this competition is to accelerate the innovations needed to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or Indo-Pacific regions. This will create a just and inclusive energy transition and extend the benefits of clean energy to all to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs) 7 'Affordable and clean energy' and 13 'Climate action'.

Your proposal must focus on:

• improving energy access in official development assistance (ODA) eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Indo-Pacific regions
• have a technology or business model which is affordable, reliable and low carbon
• consider the role of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)

This competition is split into three  strands which are now open to applications and will close at 11:00 on Wednesday 10 August 2022.

Energy Catalyst Round 9 – Early Stage

This stage is open to single applicants or collaborations.

For Early stage feasibility studies projects, applicants could get funding for their eligible project costs of up to:

• 70 per cent if they are a micro or small organisation
• 60 per cent if they are a medium sized organisation
• 50 per cent if they are a large organisation

Total project costs must be between £50,000 and £300,000.

Find out more about the Early Stage strand and how to apply.

Energy Catalyst Round 9 – Mid Stage

This stage is open to collaborative applications only.

For Mid Stage industrial research projects, applicants could get funding for their eligible project costs of up to:

70 per cent if they are a micro or small organisation
60 per cent if they are a medium sized organisation
50 per cent if they are a large organisation

Total project costs must be between £50,000 and £1.5 million.

Find out more about the Mid Stage strand and how to apply.

Energy Catalyst Round 9 – Late Stage

This stage is open to collaborative applications only.

For Late stage experimental development projects which are nearer to market, applicants could get funding for their eligible project costs of up to:

45 per cent if they are a micro or small organisation
35 per cent if they are a medium sized organisation
25 per cent if they are a large organisation

Total project total costs must be between £50,000 and £5 million.

Find out more about the Late Stage strand and how to apply.

First published 18 May 2022